There is magic at work!! Every night, my husband and I go to bed and mysteriously overnight the bed exudes a strange draw so that by morning, we have FIVE bodies in it (four are even human- one hairy mess lies at our feet). What to do what to do??
I have some pretty strong convictions about babies sleeping with their mommies if they need to and am completely against sleep training infants. It is a very personal decision for a parent and the separate philosophies can drive pretty polarized debates. My 7 month old is currently in the throes of teething and if night nursing and sleeping next to me keep her comfortable and secure as those little chompers break through, then that is what is going to happen. It is VERY possible to safely co-sleep if you follow the rules! Luckily for me, she naps very well and even (gasp!) goes to sleep on her own and actually slept pretty darn well overnight too until her oral barrage began.....
My son however..... has never ever been an "easy" sleeper. He was an all-night nurser for 6 months and was not completely night weaned until he was 11 months old. I was adamant that we respond to his cries and not let him "cry it out" again, to each his own, that is my parenting style. He eventually slept pretty well but the addition of a new little person in the house who vies for our affection has thrown a kink in the deal- plus he can get out of his bed, unlike the crib. During the day, he is the most independent little person but nighttime requires our presence these days. Now that he is three, I feel like we can sleep train him a bit and I have been scouring the net/books for ideas to keep him in his bed..... any ideas from you mommies out there?
Last night he did not come in even once and when he woke this morning, I made a HUGE deal about how impressed I was with his staying in bed. Then we made a sleep chart- he got to pick a sticker to put on the day and when he gets 10 stickers, we told him we'd go to Chuck E Cheese...... I am not sure if he grasped the entire concept. He seems on board, but we will see. Fingers crossed :)
3 comments:
You're doing a great job raising those babies. You won't remember how tired you were, but you will remember that sanctuary you created for your little ones. Sounds to me like a small price to pay considering the adults they should become having grown up feeling safe and loved!
he "sorta" did it again... stayed in until 6ish and the sun was coming up. sticker #2 :)
we are at 6 stickers in 7 days..... is this actually working??
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