We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day.


Monday, March 30, 2009

Operation Sleep: Night 1

So, I decided to bite the bullet and start training this boy to sleep! I can't handle the getting up every two hours, I'm just getting too old for that! I decided that I am going to put him down around 8pm and feed him only once around 2am and then not again until 6 or so. So last night, I fed him real good and then put him to bed about 8:30. I put him down while he was drowsy, but not completely out. He cried on and off for about 10-15 minutes while I went to pat him every 5 minutes until he fell asleep. He then slept until 2:00am...our best stretch yet! Then I fed him good again and put him down about 2:30 and he cried on and off until about 5am. Not the best night, but he finally did go to sleep and slept til 7am. I know that sounds horrible, but he wasn't crying consistently or very hard all that time. He would cry for a while and then stop for a while and he just wasn't completely out until 5-ish. If he had been crying non-stop and really hard, I would have caved for sure. Here's hoping that night 2 is better. Will report tomorrow. By the way, if you are going to leave a comment of encouragement or support, I would be more than happy to receive it. If you are going to tell me that I am a terrible mother for letting my baby cry, then please refrain! Thanks!

11 comments:

Laura said...

this is a comment of support: YOU CAN DO IT, POPPY!!!!!!! good luck--i'll be rooting for you!

Laura said...

this is a comment of support: YOU CAN DO IT, POPPY!!!!!!! good luck--i'll be rooting for you!

Laura said...

well, i guess you got to read my supportive comment twice!

Becky J. said...

I don't think you're terrible at all. In fact, I'm way impressed that you're getting him trained now. I hope it just keeps getting better and better for you each night you do it. Hooray for sleeping babies (still working on that one with Avery b/c she was good, then got sick and was a bad sleeper, and now we're trying to get her back to a good one again. Not easy!)

shayla said...

Seriously, if he's at least 10-12 pounds then he's high-ready for a full-night's sleep...and so are YOU! Is he still in your room? Cause if he is he may be waking up or staying awake because he smells your scent. I always found it was much easier to train them to sleep all night when they were out of the room. Good for you! With four kids, you most definitely deserve a good night's sleep once in a while:)

Lena said...

Good for you - I am just starting this with Annelise and she is 7 months! I hate it when people ask me if she is sleeping thru the night! It doesn't make me a better or worse parent if I control her R.E.M. activity, it is the bigger things in life I need to influence her about! Hang in there & just get earplugs if needed :-)

Rosey Posey said...

Go Poppy. It will get easier. Glad you are doing it now and not later. I wished I would have done it sooner with Evey. It normally take about a week. He and you need to sleep. Don't let him be like Evey where she was convinced that she needed to nurse in order to sleep. So I am applauding you!

Emily Widdison said...

Good luck! I'm sure you can do it! I can't do it yet...I'm a wimp. I'll do it when I did the other boys around 4 or 5 months...still 2 more months for me...but she usually sleeps from 8 to4 already, so no complaints from me:)

A note to James: Come on little boy, be a good sleeper for your mama, you can do it!

Melissa said...

Good for you poppy! My doctor always says a baby cant die from crying and when your old they cant remember anyway. I let Addy do that when she was 2 mo and she is my best sleeper. Stick w/ it.

Lindsey Ramage said...

Poppy there is nothing like a well rested mom, keep it up!

susie harty said...

Your cute! I am trying to do the same thing. We only make it through half the night because I'm lazy and don't want to put him back in his room after he is fed. Let us know how it works out and what you are doing to make it work.