The past two nights, history has been made in our house! Friday, after much thought and consideration, Ryan and I decided it was time to implement a plan to help Beth sleep. Since I've read just about every sleep book out there (from cry-it-out advocates to never-let-them-cry advocates), and since we've tried almost every option we'd consider, we decided we'd try a modified cry-it-out version to help Beth sleep, I hate the idea of letting her cry, but having honestly given everything else a shot it was time to try this. Friday night we did our regular bedtime routine with Beth, and then after nursing I layed her in her crib, kissed her and told her I loved her, and left her room. She cried for all of *2* minutes before she was silent- and then she slept until 1:15. At 1:15, I went back into her room (usually I'd just get her and bring her to bed with us), I layed her down again with her Nuk, patted her back for a couple of minutes and then left. She cried again for about 2 minutes, that was it! She slept until 4:30, when Ryan went in and patted her back until she went back asleep, then she woke up one more time at 6:15, we did the same thing and she slept until 8:00. A whole night in her crib! She woke up happy as I've ever seen her at 8:00! I can't tell you how refreshed I was- even though I woke up several times throughout the night.
So last night we did it again. Actually, Ryan did her whole bedtime routine since I left to go have my hair cut. He put her down and she fussed for a couple of minutes, at around 8:00. We didn't hear from her again until 7:15 this morning, when Ryan went to check on her! Almost 12 hours, asleep in her own bed! WOHOO!
We're about to go start our nightly routine...Wish us luck!
Sunday, January 13
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5 comments:
Wow!! This is BIG news! Good luck again tonight.
Yea! I am SO SO happy for you, what a huge change you guys will experience in your night, now you actually have one! From someone who has been there, I know how HUGE this is!! YEA!!!
Hi...I found your blog through the Class Report site for Westwood! I was class of 98 but took early graduation in late 96/early 97 semester.
Anyway, I have so enjoyed reading your blog. I have one of those memories where I recall pretty much every single person I ever spoke to in high school and you probably don't remember, but we chatted once or twice in the student center. I can't believe what a well-spoken and eloquent young woman you are-- even though it's silly, you expect people to still be the gangly kids they were when you last saw them!
Anyway, I am just so proud for you-- you are obviously excelling at the most important job in the world; mothering. Your daughter is just gorgeous, such a little beaut. And you can tell she is nursed- she just glows with health and radiance.
I wanted to comment because there's a blog I thought you could benefit from. Now that I think about it, you and this person remind me a LOT of each other.
She has a baby just a tiny bit older than Beth, and she recently night-weaned so that they could all get some sleep. I know she had great success with it. Her daughter still gets most of her nutrition from breastmilk at 14-15 months, too. (Just FYI)
Her blog is
http://ennorath.typepad.com/
Your babies even remind me of each other, and I think you two are about the same age and share similar values in faith and family. I don't know why I haven't thought to "introduce" you before.
I know her baby was not a good sleeper at ALL but after night weaning, I believe she's doing at least somewhat better. Perhaps you can grab her coattail and see about the specifics of night weaning- maybe it's something that could help you as well. By the by, she is vehemently opposed to "cry it out" and night-weaning still seemed to work for her pretty well.
Even if you don't use any of her methodology, I think you'll like her blog...she is hilariously funny and some of her observations about parenting and marriage will just make you laugh hysterically while you're nodding emphatically "yes, I know!"
Godspeed!
-Liz
How exciting is that! Congrats to you!
AWESOME! Congrats to your family on a big milestone :o)
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