Wednesday, April 16, 2008
What the...???
Is anyone else tired of reading my posts about sleep because I'm tired of posting them. But, I feel like I'm in a constant state of confusion. Just when I think "I've got it down" and "I know what I'm doing" I read something that changes my mind. Maybe I should stop reading... Anyway, today I read that: first of all, a 3 month old should sleep 15 hours a day. I'm pretty sure my little princess does not sleep that much in a day. Second of all, that at 3 months of age (Happy 3 month birthday my sweet Mira!!!) you should start laying them down when they're almost asleep so they learn to go to sleep on their own. So, just now for her afternoon nap, I walked her around in the dark room (a.k.a. our bathroom, in case you didn't read the last post) until she was almost asleep and then I laid her in her crib. She opened her eyes and started looking her her mobile (that's another question I have, should you have a mobile in their crib or not???). I left her alone and a few minutes later she got fussy. I put her pacifier back in and she started closing her eyes like she was going to sleep. Success!!! Oh... no... wait... not success. She got fussy again. I let her cry for a few seconds (that's my limit...maybe I'm a softie) and then we did the whole thing over again...pacifier, walk out of the room...cry...pacifier, walk out of the room...etc. Finally she was quiet for a while...succe...nope, not success. But, I let her lay there for a little bit until she started to fuss again and then when I went in there she was wide awake as if those few seconds her eyes were closed were enough of a nap. Not so my little one. I picked her up (which may have not been a good idea, what do I know at this point)? and took her back to the dark room. She was fussy as if to say, "mom are you kidding me with this place?", so I took her back to her room and laid her in her crib. She fussed a little bit and I put her pacifier back in and gently laid my hand on her chest. She watched her mobile for a few seconds and then drifted off to sleep. Ahhh, finally...success. So, here's my new plan: walk her around in the dark room until not quite asleep but almost and then lay her in her crib to fall asleep on her own. Even if it takes longer for her to get to sleep, it's worth her learning to fall asleep on her own. New plan...sounds good...for now...ask me again tomorrow...
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4 comments:
I had a mobile on J.J.'s crib while he was immobile (oh the irony!) :) but then once he could roll around and get up, I took it off. Also, don't freak out so much about what you should or shouldn't be doing regarding Mira's sleeping. Just do what you think is best...mom's intuition is usually pretty spot-on! If you find something that works, don't change it because you read something that says something different or you'll drive yourself crazy! I know you're a great mom (simply because you're so worried about all this!), so trust your own judgment!
Gina,
You're doing a terrific job w/ Mira! I know it's frustrating, but like Heather said...read enough to get the information you need, but not enough that you are driving yourself crazy with information. It can all be a little overwhelming. When Jonas was a newborn, I did the same thing. It can all be overwhelming. At 3 months Jonas was not getting 15 hours of sleep. He was a pretty colicky (sp?) baby. He was awesome during the days, but the nights were a battle! He's been sleeping through the night for a while now though...so don't worry. I know it feels like it, but you won't be a zombie forever!
Also, I don't know where you read about the CIO method, but I was under the impression it was supposed to start later, which may be why it isn't working yet. ;) When I was trying to get Jonas to fall asleep on his own, I would feed him, rock him, lay him down (yes we had a mobile & still do - he loves it!) then I would turn on his cd, step out of the room. Sometimes by this point, he was already fussing. Then I would wait about 3-4 minutes (which killed me) go in & try to soothe him without picking him up. I'd rub his stomach, or just lay my hand on his stomach and whispered to him & shhhhed ...until he quieted down. Then I'd repeat as needed. I think the key is consistency. Develop a routine that you think you'd be comfortable sticking with for a while. Once she learns the cues for "sleep" time she'll get the hang of going to self-soothing.
Sorry this is so long! You're doing an awesome job!!!
I think maybe you've been reading "Healthy Sleep Habits"?? Sounds like his stuff. I agree, she's too young to cry it out but learning to put herself to sleep is a must!! I started laying Atticus down awake at about 2 months. He'd fuss for just a short while (and it never because really horrible crying) and then fall off to sleep. Now I just lay him down awake and he puts himself to sleep! I did NOT do this with the girls and I'm still paying the price for it! So good job trying to teach her early!!!! SHERRY
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