Anyone out there w/ expert advice?

My 10 month old son has been waking 1-3 times during the night the past couple months. I usually wait 20 minutes before going to him to see if he'll fall back to sleep on his own, but lately he hasn't been. I've heard so many contradicting tips from other moms as to whether or not I should tend to him or just let him cry. I don't mind getting up with him, but I'm afraid it'll lead to problems in the future. I'm sure the reason he is getting up is either seperation anxiety or teething...I'm just not sure how to handle it. I've called the peditrician, but am only able to speak w/ the receptionist. And every time I call, I get a different lady w/ a different opinion. Please help me!

I know how hard it can be to get conflicting opinions because I think that all Moms have been there. Since I'm not quite an expert yet (working towards advising Moms and Babies) I think the best advice is to read all of the expert opinions, listen to what others have to say, and then do what is best for your baby and you. From my experience I nursed my son until he was 16 months and let him sleep with me. Our pediatrician actually told me that some babies need to eat at night because they burn so many calories during the day. Then one day he just decided he would sleep through the night in his own bed. Every baby is different and if you feel comfortable going in and conforting him, then go for it.

I personally wouldn't just leave him to cry...but that's me, i don't believe in letting them 'cry it out'.

My daughter woke at least once, sometimes 2, times anight until she was about 18 months. She was having a comfort breastfeed. After she weaned, she still did it for a little while, then all of a sudden, she just started sleeping through.

Now, at 3, she sleeps wonderfully. all night until the morning. So i can tell you from experience, it does get better.

I'm definitely not an expert, I can just tell you what I would do in this situation.

I would go get my baby and love him and comfort him. They are just babies! I can't let him cry. And if I end up having to deal with issues later on because I do this, then oh well. I don't care. I can't just let him sit there and cry.

Well, I'm not an expert. I just know what works for mine. CIO did work for him but if he's crying like that it may be teething or it could be an ear infection, even if he's not running much of a fever.

When he wakes, you should go in immediately and soothe him (in order to make sure nothing is wrong), put him back down and then wait five minutes and do it again. Then wait ten, then fifteen, then twenty. That helps with separation anxiety. It shows him that when he cries, you are near. If he goes longer than twenty, then something else is probably wrong.

CIO doesn't work for everyone and most those it didn't work for are usually inconsistent in it. I'm telling you what worked for me and in no way is this a concrete item that works for everyone. If you do want to continue to try it, be consistent about it. Not doing so will only confuse him and make him cry harder and more often.

I agree with other answers. I am not a believer in crying it out. My son woke once a night until 8 months and I still fed him. People would tell me what a bad habit it was and blah blah blah. But, I just went with my instincts. If he is hungry, I am feeding him. I know how fast time is going to go and they are only babies for such a short time. I actually miss being up and feeding him in the middle of the night sometimes. That was such a nice quiet time for us. Now he is 1 and sleeps all night like you wouldn't believe. When he is teething, he is definitely more restless. It could just be a stage that will pass. I think you are doing the right thing by waiting a bit to go in with him. Babies do wake during the night and go back to sleep. If you get them too soon, that interrupts that process. If he wants to be rocked or cuddled, do it. It won't last forever.

I am a mother of twins, and I never let them cry for maybe 2-3 minutes at a time. Give your baby a few minutes, but if that doesn't work...go to him! I am not an expert by any means, however, I have experience with my adopted son too. He is now four, and his biological mother would let him cry for hours!! Now, he has some behavioral and mental issues. Obviously, the doctors cannot be for certain if this was caused from the crying/screaming, but they tend to say that it probably had a lot to do with it. Sweetie, use your maternal instinct! oh by the way, if your pediatrician will not talk to you over the phone...FIND ANOTHER PEDIATRICIAN!!!