Because it was one of those nights.
Which brings me to this...
I am calling on all experienced moms, dog owners, people that breathe, etc, etc....
I need your advise on night waking.
Our little 18 pounds 1 ounce sweet baby Colin has been waking up on average 4 times a night.
He doesn't have a problem falling asleep but has a problem STAYING asleep.
What can I do????
I don't have it in me to let him cry it out.
Help!
10 comments:
He's a smart one...he knows that if he cries, you'll come tend to his needs. :)
My mommy friends are always saying that they've had to power through a stage (it only lasts a day or two...because again, kids are smarter than we think) where they let their kids "cry it out." I know that's not what you want to hear, but in the long-run, it makes for a happy baby and a happy family too. :)
Best of luck, Sarah!
When in need of advice for sleeping, I always turn to the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It's like the Bible for baby sleep habits! If Colin is crying because he is hungry then go to him - duh - you don't need me to tell you that. But if he is just crying because he wants YOU to help him fall back asleep, then let him fall asleep on his own. Trust me, I did this, and it was only a two night experience. He will be happy you did (eventually), and so will you. I'm out :)
My kids did this too. Henry just stoped all of a sudden when he turned 3. Lucy still does it sometimes. It is my achilles heel of parenthood. I'm pretty comfortable with what happens for us during the day, but I am a terrible night-Mom. I have absolutely no advice for you. How's that for helpful? Hopefully one of those 'people who breath' will post some better advice. Sorry Sarah!
We've been going through this with Max. He was a "through the night" sleeper for awhile and then he was up again a few times a night. We would always feed him because we assumed he was hungry and it put him back to sleep. THen we learned from some sleep books that we were pretty much teaching him to wake up and eat. So, we've been trying to get him back to sleep in other ways. He goes to the Janine Elswick's and she recommended a blanket from Target that Max loved. We had one of the those nice Giraffe blankets from Nordstrom but Max preferred his Target blanket. He pulls that baby up over his face and goes right to sleep. We've gone through a few tearful nights but it's short lived. As long as you know his baisc needs are met it's ok to let him cry a little. He's learning how to soothe himself. It's so hard to do, though! Good luck!
Thanks for the advise guys... I guess when it comes down to it, I do have to on some level let him cry it out.
Katie- Colin was a good sleeper at first too, then when he turned 3 months it all went down hill.
Michael has a Target blanket too that he still sleeps with and drags around town. I remember people gave him all of these nice expensive blankets but he just LOVED the good old Target one:)
Awww...hon. Sleep issues are no fun. But I am kind of crazy about it since I like it. Healthy Sleep Habits is also my bible. Couple things. How is his day sleep? If you work on getting good naps, it helps them sleep better at night. Also, what time is he going to bed? I would try putting him down earlier if he is going to bed after 7pm. Caroline goes down btwn. 6 & 7 everynight. Depends on how her last nap was. Sleep begets sleep. If you are not comfortable with cry it out (that is ok!) there are other ways (see book above) but in my experience cry it out works fastest but is the hardest on mom. Is he 6 months? He should be able to go 10 hours, quick nurse and back to sleep for a couple more. Sorry for the bible, but I feel for you - Hayds was the same!
Thanks Heidi! I am going to check that book out. Colin takes one good morning nap (about 1 1/2 hours) but his afternoon nap is unpredictable (anywhere from 15 min to 2 hours.) He will also sometimes take a little nap around dinner time. He usually doesn't go to sleep fir the night until 8 or 9!
He is 6 months so I know he should be able to sleep through the night, I'm just a softy and feel like it is easier to just feed him really quick to get him back to sleep. I think I'm the one that needs the training!
Thanks for the bible... I appreciate it!
Here's what I learned: Each of the sleep stages passes so quickly - before you know it, you'll be wishing he would ask you to read him another book or give you a kiss before bed - that to me with Gabrielle, it was worth it to be tired to have had those special moments of closeness in the night when it was just me and her. Ultimately, I chose to let her cry it out when she turned one to get onto a good schedule, and once she did I recognized that it gave her a new confidence in her own ability. I've got that book that Heidi mentioned and I'd be happy to send it your way if you haven't gotten a copy yet! Hang in there!
Thanks for the advise Jessica! Im going to take you up on that offer!
I will email you my address!
If I can remember that far back - I was told to feed Zach his rice cereal the final feeding of the day (when I wanted him to sleep for the night). I know this is really old news, but it seemed to fill the corners of his tummy and Ralph and I got more sleep. Of course, that being said, when he was a toddler we would wake in the morning finding him asleep at the foot of our bed - blankie in hand, thumb in mouth.... Good luck!!
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