I thought I would update you on Project Sleeping Beauty. As we speak our sweet little Isabelle is sleeping (maybe not SO soundly, but sleeping none the less) in her crib upstairs. Of course, this is a success, so it's easy to share.
Sunday night we tried the cradle and she cried a solid 20 heart wrenching minutes. We couldn't take it. We both cried for half of those. We picked her up and decided to try again later. We fortified ourselves with re reading the chapter on crying in Baby Wise and decided to try in the daytime again.
So today, as she got sleepy and fussy for her first nap, I prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring peace and restful sleep to her and headed upstairs. I clicked on the baby moniters and reassured myself by skimming Babywise again. I showered through the first 15 minutes of the crying (and that helped!) It's not a total success as she wakes every five or so minutes for 30 or 45 seconds of crying before falling back asleep! We are keeping on tho! Hopefully well on our way to forming healthy sleeping habits and contented baby!
12 comments:
okay, first of all, keep up the good work! She'll get it eventually. Secondly, if she doesn't, don't fret. I rocked Emily to sleep every nap, every bedtime, because she just wouldn't go to sleep on her own, and for the sake of my sanity and her sleep needs, we did what we had to do...keeping all the other scheduling things going...
thirdly, you have the same duvet cover we have!!! We got it at Pottery Barn outlet when we were in Chicago on our way to your wedding!!! how funny is that??
Love you, girl!
and Rachel: start rethinking that attachment thing...it sets you up for so much heartache later in their life...but that's the last time I will tell you to change your mind...if you choose to do it, I will support you 100%
Hi Shanygne, what kind of heartache? I'm all ears! RM
Baby Tad was a huge winner for me for bedtime. There is a six minute timer in one hand that is the nighttime music (classical) and then it turns itself off. It became part of our pattern. I found it soothing to hear over the monitor. Baby Tad and a stuffed Veggie Tales Junior doll are now our favorite pals for bedtime.
Hey have you been out to www.cultureforkids.com...order a catalog, they have amazing books,etc for kids about cultures, countries, etc from around the world.
Eli
RM...When there is attachment parenting, there always comes a point of DE-tachment, and I have heard nothing but horror stories of that part of it... with AP, there is NO balance...you make the kid the center of the universe...with Babywise(also known as Growing Kids God's Way), the child becomes part of the world already created and learns to be a contributing member...
RM...When there is attachment parenting, there always comes a point of DE-tachment, and I have heard nothing but horror stories of that part of it... with AP, there is NO balance...you make the kid the center of the universe...with Babywise(also known as Growing Kids God's Way), the child becomes part of the world already created and learns to be a contributing member...
Your little girl is so beautiful—thanks for all the pictures! We dressed Ashley in an outfit like that for her dedication . . . nothing quite so special for the boys.
Just read the comment about Baby Tad—I agree whole-heartedly. He is kinda funny looking, but well worth the $25.
Cole sleep with him every night for about 2 years. Nicholas is now enjoying his sweet music.
Shanygne, thanks for your thoughts. I haven't made up my mind... just interested in different approaches, especially living in a cross cultural context where your neighbors consider you an evil person if your baby cries. All kinds of different challenges here. RM
RM...totally get it... I know it can be a bit trying to decide...do what comes naturally. the thing to remember is that with BW you have to be disciplined early on, and with AP, you have to be disciplined later on...
Hooray! I'm so proud of you! You know I'll be calling you not too far down the road saying, "HOW did you get through this??" By the way...I'm so doing this blog thing when my baby comes...you are getting some great advice!
Hi, I linked to your blog from Beth Hasz's. I think that it's great that you are trying to instill good sleep habits in your child. I sit for a woman who is a clincal psychologist specializing in children0-5 years of age. She spend most of her reseach on the sleep habits of children. Her son is the easiest child I have even sat for, interms of sleeping and he gets better every time Isit for him. He has a very consistent schedule, he sleeps a lot, and when he is put down, he is aloud to cry. She doesn't like to pick him up while he is down.
I know another family whose child started out sleeping in bed with them, now two and a half years later he's still there, right between mom and dad. I can't see that being good for their relationship.
Anyway, I just wanted to say, good for you, keep at it and it gets easier.
Hi Danielle!
You know me aka "mother earth". They are only babies for such a short time. I have NEVER heard of not being able to get a teenager out of the parents bed! I had all my kids in bed with me--they did not stay there forever (3 yr. was the longest), and my kids have all had their kids in bed with them. So far, the 4 and 6 year olds are sleeping alone. I think they were both 3 when they made the big traverse to thier own bed. Mia, (3) will sleep alone if you lay with her until she is a sleep, same with Bubba (nearly 2). They do crawl in bed with mommy or Nona in the morning (as you know Ashlea and her kids are living with me). Rocky and Stephanie had some trouble getting Kaelee (now 4) to sleep in her bed alone but she has no trouble now. Ellie (2) does not sleep well unless she is in her own bed and she started out like all the rest in bed with mom and dad. She has been that way since she was 6 mo. old or so.
For every "expert parenting advice" you can find equalliy compelling "expert advice" to the contrary! So, do what feels right for you and Conrad that's what will be right for Isabelle. The kids are little for such a short time--enjoy EVERY possible moment, awake and asleep!
T.W.
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