I'm updating a day early due to the fact that I will be celebrating Bubba's Birthday over the next 2 days :) Hard to believe little man is going to be 1 on Friday!!!
This has definitely been a week of ups and downs in the nighttime sleep and napping category. For the weekend I ventured home to Pennsylvania with Bubba to celebrate Christmas with my extended family (yes, a bit late...just one of the quirks I love about my family). So, I knew that Saturday would be a late night and there would be no way of preserving bedtime. Unfortunately the whole time I was home (Thursday-Sunday) was an utter disaster in all areas regarding sleep! At night Bubba refused to sleep and needed nursed multiple times, and naps were just a no go. Not one, not two. He refused to nap for longer than 30 minutes a day, even while being held for a nap (I was getting desperate). Sunday, on my way home I planned the trip during nap time, thinking that this will definitely give Bubba a good nap...Nope. He decided to be awake for the entire car ride all 3 hours of it! Ughh!
But the week has rounded itself out nicely. For the past 2 days Bubba has taken a cat nap in the morning around 10 and a nice long nap starting around 1:30-2. I must say that I am quite pleased as I am typing this right now during a nap (a rarity for me as I usually write my update Wednesday night and schedule it to post on Thursday). Night times have also gotten better with being home and having Bubba sleep in his own crib. I don't want to count on it though, I know that these past 2 days could be a total fluke, but I am quite pleased with the results thus far. And on the positive, I think that Bubba has at least been broken of the need to be held while napping. Have to count every small victory ;)
Showing posts with label sleep training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sleep training. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Sleep Diaries, Week 3
Small victories! This week has been much less stressful on the sleep front. Words can not express the excitement I am experiencing (imagine me doing a funky chicken dance now).
After accepting that Bubba may be transitioning from 2 naps to 1, life has become much less stressful. It has made me accept a slightly more lenient stance on when Bubba settles down for a nap. There are days when he desires to nap around 9:30, and on those days I run with it. Allowing him to nap at 9:30, and depending on how long that nap lasts I either try for an afternoon nap around 2:30ish or I forgo it and plan for an early bedtime. Two-three times I've actually had to wake Bubba from his afternoon nap at 5, solely so he'd sleep through the night.
On days where Bubba passed up the morning nap I tried to lay him down around 1. Most of the time he would then sleep until 4. Have there been tears? Yes. Have I doubted myself? Yes. Am I glad now for all the tears the previous weeks, well, I'm never happy I made my Bubba cry, but I am glad I stuck to my guns.
On the bedtime front, other than a minor setback, when Bubba got sick, we've had a healthy bit of success with Bubba only waking once at 4 or 5 AM. My only complaint is that with the 2-1 transition I am needing much more coffee as Bubba has some mighty early mornings. I'm hoping that these go away soon, I miss sleeping until 7!
After accepting that Bubba may be transitioning from 2 naps to 1, life has become much less stressful. It has made me accept a slightly more lenient stance on when Bubba settles down for a nap. There are days when he desires to nap around 9:30, and on those days I run with it. Allowing him to nap at 9:30, and depending on how long that nap lasts I either try for an afternoon nap around 2:30ish or I forgo it and plan for an early bedtime. Two-three times I've actually had to wake Bubba from his afternoon nap at 5, solely so he'd sleep through the night.
On days where Bubba passed up the morning nap I tried to lay him down around 1. Most of the time he would then sleep until 4. Have there been tears? Yes. Have I doubted myself? Yes. Am I glad now for all the tears the previous weeks, well, I'm never happy I made my Bubba cry, but I am glad I stuck to my guns.
On the bedtime front, other than a minor setback, when Bubba got sick, we've had a healthy bit of success with Bubba only waking once at 4 or 5 AM. My only complaint is that with the 2-1 transition I am needing much more coffee as Bubba has some mighty early mornings. I'm hoping that these go away soon, I miss sleeping until 7!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Sleep Diaries, Week 2
I'm beginning to feel as though I've lost my mind.
I had thought nighttime sleep had improved. Maybe I was being overly ambitious, because we're back to 2 consistent wakings at night. Once at 1, when Hubs will tend to Bubba's needs, and again at 3, where there isn't much he can do. I've tried letting Bubba cry, but after the 15 minute wait it breaks my heart. And the worse part is, I've come to the conclusion that checking in on him seems to do more harm than good. Sounds strange, but he cries louder and harder if we go in to reassure him. On top of that he has adopted a 6 am wake up time, as opposed to the 7, which I was much happier about.
Naps are another disaster in themselves. While Bubba is more easily laid down, he's not napping consistently. I'm beginning to believe that we are making a transition to one nap. I'm hoping that once his napping is sorted out then nights will follow. He goes down easily for a nap around 9:30, sleeps until 10:15, then wants to cuddle and continues to sleep until 11. Then he refuses to go down for a second nap. I'm hoping I can get his nap time to be a little later in the morning, actually I'd love for it to be after lunch, but will settle for later in the morning.
What happened to my book? It's hard to have time to read when I'm constantly fighting...how did the millions of mothers before me get through this stage?
I had thought nighttime sleep had improved. Maybe I was being overly ambitious, because we're back to 2 consistent wakings at night. Once at 1, when Hubs will tend to Bubba's needs, and again at 3, where there isn't much he can do. I've tried letting Bubba cry, but after the 15 minute wait it breaks my heart. And the worse part is, I've come to the conclusion that checking in on him seems to do more harm than good. Sounds strange, but he cries louder and harder if we go in to reassure him. On top of that he has adopted a 6 am wake up time, as opposed to the 7, which I was much happier about.
Naps are another disaster in themselves. While Bubba is more easily laid down, he's not napping consistently. I'm beginning to believe that we are making a transition to one nap. I'm hoping that once his napping is sorted out then nights will follow. He goes down easily for a nap around 9:30, sleeps until 10:15, then wants to cuddle and continues to sleep until 11. Then he refuses to go down for a second nap. I'm hoping I can get his nap time to be a little later in the morning, actually I'd love for it to be after lunch, but will settle for later in the morning.
What happened to my book? It's hard to have time to read when I'm constantly fighting...how did the millions of mothers before me get through this stage?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Sleep Diaries, Week 1
Nighttime success! Nap time Failure.
It seems that the nighttime rules are working! Bubba is going longer and longer at night without waking up, and when he does most of the time he is putting himself back down to sleep. I actually was able to sleep until 5:30 one morning before needing to get up :) Yes, there have been a few hiccups. We did travel home during the weekend, which posed problems with both naps and nighttime. I figure I am not going to punish myself and our families by insisting we remain home just because Bubba is one stubborn sleeper.
I wish I could report naps were getting better, but they are not. I've been trying to lay Bubba down for 2 naps a day, and we've had a battle of wills for both the naps. I think the most Bubba has gotten when laid down for a nap is 45 minutes this past week. Thank goodness for car rides as this is the only way he's gotten more than 10 minute stretches of naps. I will say that I did break down and let him have a Grandma held nap. It has been a week of screaming overall. I'm beginning to question the lengthening checks. It is heart-wrenching to hear your child scream for 30-40 minutes.
I'm thinking it's time to get a book and try a new method...chanting my mantra...consistency is key...
It seems that the nighttime rules are working! Bubba is going longer and longer at night without waking up, and when he does most of the time he is putting himself back down to sleep. I actually was able to sleep until 5:30 one morning before needing to get up :) Yes, there have been a few hiccups. We did travel home during the weekend, which posed problems with both naps and nighttime. I figure I am not going to punish myself and our families by insisting we remain home just because Bubba is one stubborn sleeper.
I wish I could report naps were getting better, but they are not. I've been trying to lay Bubba down for 2 naps a day, and we've had a battle of wills for both the naps. I think the most Bubba has gotten when laid down for a nap is 45 minutes this past week. Thank goodness for car rides as this is the only way he's gotten more than 10 minute stretches of naps. I will say that I did break down and let him have a Grandma held nap. It has been a week of screaming overall. I'm beginning to question the lengthening checks. It is heart-wrenching to hear your child scream for 30-40 minutes.
I'm thinking it's time to get a book and try a new method...chanting my mantra...consistency is key...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Sleep Diaries, The Rules
We have begun. Hubs and I sat down and set a few rules to our sleep training initiative.
1. Naps are up to me, as I am the one with him during the day.
2. When Bubba wakes at night we will wait 15 minutes before going into him. There's a good chance he may put himself back to sleep.
3. I will not Breastfeed him for the first 6 hours he is in bed. This means that the first 6 hours if he wakes and does not go back down by himself he is all Daddys. No rocking, no prolonged cuddling. The plan is to lengthen this period over time to wean him from nighttime feedings but not cut him off all together.
4. After that 6 hours I may nurse him, after that nursing Bubba must wait 3-4 hours to nurse again, unless it is now morning (6:30-7:00).
I've compiled these ideas from different sources and probally will add to them as I am able to read more sources on them. Most of these ideas are from other moms who have posted their experience on Baby Center (a guilty pleasure to pass the time away). Thus the fun has begun!
1. Naps are up to me, as I am the one with him during the day.
2. When Bubba wakes at night we will wait 15 minutes before going into him. There's a good chance he may put himself back to sleep.
3. I will not Breastfeed him for the first 6 hours he is in bed. This means that the first 6 hours if he wakes and does not go back down by himself he is all Daddys. No rocking, no prolonged cuddling. The plan is to lengthen this period over time to wean him from nighttime feedings but not cut him off all together.
4. After that 6 hours I may nurse him, after that nursing Bubba must wait 3-4 hours to nurse again, unless it is now morning (6:30-7:00).
I've compiled these ideas from different sources and probally will add to them as I am able to read more sources on them. Most of these ideas are from other moms who have posted their experience on Baby Center (a guilty pleasure to pass the time away). Thus the fun has begun!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Sleep Diaries, An introduction
Bubba has never been a good sleeper. I don't know where it comes from as his pappa is a wonderful sleeper (so wonderful in fact he has no idea how taxing 11 months without a solid nights rest is). To ring in the New Year I am back to sleep training my wonderful baby boy.
We were doing well with naps, until just before Christmas Eve when Bubba spiked a temperature of 102.6 (he's fine). Not only did we battle a fever, but he has been working on a few more teeth (which I would love to pull through myself it it meant he'd be a little less clingy). Needless to say, we back tracked over the holiday with our naps. It didn't help that Daddy was home and wanted to catch up on a few cuddles, so I feel like I am back to square 1.5.
I say square 1.5 because while Bubba resists the naps with everything he has (and boy does he get desperate), at night he goes down quite easily (knock on wood). After he's is laid down though we are almost guaranteed 4-6 hours before another waking and then every 2-4 hours until morning (usually 3). As you can imagine, I am just worn out. Additionally, I was hoping that by 1 year there would begin to be some normalcy coming back into my life.
Thus begins a series on my (and Bubba's) trials with entering back into the world of sleep training.
I wholly accept responsibility for his poor napping habits. But who can resist a sleeping baby? If I knew then what I know now, I would have fought a little harder on resisting his warm cuddles and his cute lips moving like he's still nursing. And Baby Sleep Syndrome, as my husband so fondly calls it (Baby Sleep Syndrome is the overwhelming urge/need to nap because you are holding a sleeping child).
My goal, however long it takes, is for Bubba to sleep all the way through the night, without Boob. For him to nap, consistently, without being held.
My plan to make that happen:
1. Research. Parents have been struggling with this for years. I know I am not alone in this struggle, and I know that I am not the first person to deal with it. Therefore, I plan to learn from other's experiences.
2. Be consistent. I posted on Facebook just this week a desperate plea for help with Bubba's naps. Some recommended different methods, but the one thing they all had in common was to be consistent! This principal is applied to all aspects of parenting, so why is it so hard for me to apply it to sleep as well?
3. Be flexible. I am a stubborn person. My way is the right way. I will continue doing things my way sometime to a fault. So, if one way doesn't work after a few days I need to be willing to try a new method. No child fits into a cookie cutter that is outlined in a book, that includes Bubba (and would I really want him to?).
4. Forgive myself. Like any diet, I need to enter this knowing there are going to be mistakes. It is a learning process and at least I am now committed to taking steps to fix the problem (I mean, I posted this blog, so now I am held accountable).
I plan on blogging once a week about this, but if you have young children you know how the best plans can be changed at a moments notice. Wish me luck!
We were doing well with naps, until just before Christmas Eve when Bubba spiked a temperature of 102.6 (he's fine). Not only did we battle a fever, but he has been working on a few more teeth (which I would love to pull through myself it it meant he'd be a little less clingy). Needless to say, we back tracked over the holiday with our naps. It didn't help that Daddy was home and wanted to catch up on a few cuddles, so I feel like I am back to square 1.5.
I say square 1.5 because while Bubba resists the naps with everything he has (and boy does he get desperate), at night he goes down quite easily (knock on wood). After he's is laid down though we are almost guaranteed 4-6 hours before another waking and then every 2-4 hours until morning (usually 3). As you can imagine, I am just worn out. Additionally, I was hoping that by 1 year there would begin to be some normalcy coming back into my life.
Thus begins a series on my (and Bubba's) trials with entering back into the world of sleep training.
I wholly accept responsibility for his poor napping habits. But who can resist a sleeping baby? If I knew then what I know now, I would have fought a little harder on resisting his warm cuddles and his cute lips moving like he's still nursing. And Baby Sleep Syndrome, as my husband so fondly calls it (Baby Sleep Syndrome is the overwhelming urge/need to nap because you are holding a sleeping child).
My goal, however long it takes, is for Bubba to sleep all the way through the night, without Boob. For him to nap, consistently, without being held.
My plan to make that happen:
1. Research. Parents have been struggling with this for years. I know I am not alone in this struggle, and I know that I am not the first person to deal with it. Therefore, I plan to learn from other's experiences.
2. Be consistent. I posted on Facebook just this week a desperate plea for help with Bubba's naps. Some recommended different methods, but the one thing they all had in common was to be consistent! This principal is applied to all aspects of parenting, so why is it so hard for me to apply it to sleep as well?
3. Be flexible. I am a stubborn person. My way is the right way. I will continue doing things my way sometime to a fault. So, if one way doesn't work after a few days I need to be willing to try a new method. No child fits into a cookie cutter that is outlined in a book, that includes Bubba (and would I really want him to?).
4. Forgive myself. Like any diet, I need to enter this knowing there are going to be mistakes. It is a learning process and at least I am now committed to taking steps to fix the problem (I mean, I posted this blog, so now I am held accountable).
I plan on blogging once a week about this, but if you have young children you know how the best plans can be changed at a moments notice. Wish me luck!
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