WI/WO

[G and G]

Can someone tell me what the difference is between WI/WO and the Ferber method? And when is it appropriate to use it?

I have an 8.5 month old who is suddenly screaming at every nap and at bedtime, and I have NO idea why. It has been happening over the past week. She is not teething, not sick, has no props and has been an independent sleeper for months.
This morning she cried hysterically for 10 min, DH went in once and then she slept for 2 hours, so it is not like we had the timing wrong, This afternoon she refused to nap again getting hysterical, so I took her in the car, and she only slept for a half an hour. DH is up there trying to put her to bed now, I just took a turn, we are going on 45 minutes now of her screaming.
I am at a loss.

[Peek-a-boo]

The difference between wi/wo and Ferber is that with Ferber you follow a predetermined arbitrary time table regardless of your LOs response.  With wi/wo, you do leave the room entirely and stay out long enough to assess the direction of your LO's cry, but you return based on the nature of your LOs cry (her cues).  Unlike Ferber, you don't ignore an urgent cry, you go in for it immediately. 

Wi/wo is usally only suggested for LOs after 1 year.  At this point your LO has a better sense of object permanance and knows that you will return when you leave.  At younger ages they don't necessarily understand this.  It is also recommended for after 1 year because it is around this age that many LOs begin to find your presence too stimulating to settle to sleep and the brief exit is helpful.   

There is a version of wi/wo appropriate for 8-12 month olds described here:  http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=62612.0

Is it possible that she needs more A time?

[G and G]

Thank you for that link. I appreciate it.

My LO is on the high end for A time, but I think you are onto something. What has been happening - I think - is DD gets put down for a nap, is not ready, so cries, and then I try again later and sometimes it goes well, and other times all h*ll breaks loose. After all the crying I think it is hard for her to calm down, and then gets OT and escalates....

I feel so bad - I yelled at her tonight. I'm horrible. She is so cute, and got soooooooooooo OT she could not get to sleep.

I might try the version of wi/wo you sent me because - I get so frustrated, and sometimes being in the room makes it worse or makes no difference. I was doing pu/pd and she was pushing me away. So then I tried getting rubbing her belly and head while she was laying down and it literally seemed to annoy her. I then left the room and she was still screaming away. I just don;'know how to console her and it is awful!

[sbchic1999]

WI/WO worked for my 10 month old (now 11 months).  I too was getting SOOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrated doing PU/PD with him.  He would get up play, roll around laugh, etc or just scream and reject me.  I would lay him down countless times and I was literally frustrated beyond words.  I kind of yelled at him too and felt so bad about it after.  WI/WO worked because he knew that I was not going to hang around while he played but I did go back in when his cries escalated and he was very upset.  Then he seemed to know I meant business and that it was time to sleep.  After a month of BW, PU/PD, WI/WO, he is doing great (and we didn't start until 10 months) so hang in-things WILL improve!!!

[G and G]

Thx for letting me know. I know the start of the 2-1 transition is happening, and she needs more A time, and it is to settle her down since she is older now and super aware. I feel like an horrible mother letting her cry not being in the room, but at times it does seem to make it worse, that is why I was asking about the wi/wo.
I read over the SA link and it does say you can leave the room for brief periods and to go in once their cries escalate. Makes sense!

I am just perplexed as to why her resistance to sleep is happening in the first place, but from all the other posts I can see it is not uncommon around this age.

[sbchic1999]

I think babies just cycle in and out of various teething, growth, emotional phases, etc. and when those things happen other aspects of their lives suffer accordingly!!!!  Fun.

[Peek-a-boo]

G and G--is she spirited?

[G and G]

She is textbook/touchy.....

[Peek-a-boo]

That's what my nine week old is . . . she's a mystery to me . . .

How are things going?

[G and G]

Things are going well - yesterday and today so far. She is an 11 hr a night sleeper, and I try to schedule a 13 hour day. She has long A times for a baby her age (about 4 hours) so it is hard to fit in 2 naps. I am getting one in the am and one in the pm about an hour each.  I am not sure if she is getting enough sleep all together, and that worries me. BUT, she is far easier to put down if she gets the A times she needs. I feel a little stuck!

[Peek-a-boo]

If she's generally content during her A time and sleeping a solid night, I'd trust it's enough and not sweat it.  In general, if your LO falls asleep independently and you're making the time for her to nap, she's not going to get sleep deprived.    Glad things are going okay.