The big development of the day (so far) was a solo nap. You may say to yourself, "A solo nap, why the heck is that a big development?!"
For the past two weeks, Mather has only been able to sleep while settled into the Moby Wrap (daytime naps) or nuzzled against my chest after nursing (nighttime snoozing). Occassionally, she has been willing to sleep next to me on the bed after nursing, nestled into the crook of my arm.
This routine started when we'd get Mather to fall asleep in our arms and then try to transfer her over to her basket (after waiting the recommended 20 minutes so that she was more deeply sleeping) and within 2-3 minutes she'd start crying in protest of her perceived abandonment. We are not big fans of the "Cry It Out" approach to sleep training. So, we'd pick up our crying (yet tired) baby and try myriad soothing techniques to no avail. Eventually, we'd give in and I'd nurse her back to sleep, even though she wasn't technically hungry. At that point, instead of trying to move her to the basket, I'd just let her lay on me until she woke up for the next meal (2-3 hours).
After about two nights of that routinue, we cut out the attempt to get her to sleep in her basket. Now I just feed her while sitting up in bed, then she and I fall asleep. Needless to say, this means I'm not sleeping very well.
So, the solo nap this morning is a very big development. I am encouraged that Mather is taking the first step towards a more independent sleep habit.
Before we know it, she'll be sleeping through the night all by herself and these days will be a distant memory!
10 comments:
Hmm...a nap. I'd like to take a nap!
A ha, so you are starting to experience sleep deprivation. I commonly hear about that from new parents. Enjoy. :)
Yes, we started to experience it on November 1.
great news! hope she keeps it up. looks pretty solidly asleep in her basket.
But you both seemed so awake and alert at the Bob's. You hid the exhaustion well.
There is some kind of mommy magic that allows you to be completely functional with very little sleep. Hormones, gotta love 'em!
and daddy magic?
Unfortunately, there is not "daddy magic", at least not in the hormonal sense. Daniel's ability to function on little sleep is a product of his years of insomnia.
I knew that would come in handy some day!
So that's what it's useful for!!!
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