Things are going quite good with regards Audrey sleeping through the night. I have to ask though, why are we all so obsessed with getting young babies to sleep through? Yes, I'm sure we mothers would feel much better for it, and unless your dealing with more than one or two brief feeds and a baby who settles herself, surely it is manageable? Or is that just the crazy in me speaking? I've flicked through so many baby sleep books (I'm convinced they actually do all say the same thing, just in a different way), and think if you could own shares in this baby sleep business you'd be filthy rich. There is definitely an expectation out there that an infant of six months should not be waking during the night, but I really do believe that if you are fine with it then what's the problem?
Audrey often wakes up at either 8.30 or 9.30pm, after going to bed around 6pm. Sometimes, particularly when I am tired (hm, which is most of the time), I get annoyed that she wakes, knowing she has had solids and two lots of nursing sessions. But last night, just prior to her waking, one of those world vision-type ads screened and I couldn't get up to Audrey's room fast enough! Talk about putting things in perspective; a sick/dying child versus a baby who wants a brief feed. I notice these adverts now, and the stories in the paper about other people's kids, and blogs dedicated to a child departed (these I don't look for but somehow I still occasionally find them). I was much more resilient before having children. I didn't really notice this sort of thing, but now it comes at me full force.
So when other women ask two of the most overused questions, "is she a good baby" - no, she's pure evil - or "sleeping through the night...?" I can't wait to say 'she's perfect, thanks'.
at the Wintergardens again...
I totally agree that I don't really see a problem with my 9-month old not 'sleeping through'. She wakes a couple of times for a short nursing-session and is rarely up for more than 5 minutes. Of course other people are always commenting that she reaaly SHOULD be sleeping through. Of course there are nights when I'm really tired or not feeling well and I get exhausted because teething or some other discomfort makes her fussier than usual. But in a way it seems normal to me....I'm fussy and can't sleep either when I'm not well so why shouldn't a baby behave the same way.
ReplyDeleteWe're going through a rough spot right now. Leon has been waking for 2 hour stretches usually 11pm-1am. I nurse, rock, cuddle, nurse, nurse....nothing works. I get so angry because I feel like my magic bullet isn't working.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I don't think there's a problem with babies 6 months and older waking up at night. I don't mind Leon waking 3-4 times in a 12 hour span, but 8-9 times is rough on us all. Plus, when he has a sleep deficit, he's cranky and on edge all day long. It's more about his health than my convenience.
I've been trying to get him to nap every 2 hours these past few days. Today has been really bad.
Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI have been having hard times, with Bella, since birth with many sensory challenges that she faces. It does put things into perspective though, seeing suffering, or loss of a child, that is for sure. I watched as a mother wept a week ago, her child clutched to her chest, as his heart stopped beating. As a NICU nurse, that is something, unfortunately I see all too often. I did although, return home, with renewed strength to get through the tough times in my life. I applaud you for journaling about this, and seeing the blessings that life does bring, even through the exaustion you feel.
Your girls are absolutely breathtaking, Lucy is becoming such a young lady, and Audrey, what a smile.
Much love Catherine,
Sara xoxo
hello... hapi blogging... have a nice day! just visiting here....
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Unfortunately at things like Post Natal groups, we all sit round, hot drinks in hand comparing sleep deprivation. It always appears to me, that my boy is the only one still waking in the night at 6 months old.
ReplyDeleteI know, however, that this is very much untrue, no matter what the others say. I also know, that I don't mind at all jumping up to feed him at 3am. It's a strange feeling, being excited to see someone in the wee hours of the morning, but a fantastic one.
Your girls are gorgeous. Congratulations on both your children and your sewing ability, your clothes look wonderful.
I just wanted to add, every time I read this blog (http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/), I can't help but want to give Leon a little squeeze, even if he's sleeping.
ReplyDeleteI'm such a softie now, and it's all Leon's doing. Thank goodness.
Erica - sorry to hear things are so rough. The thing with sleep deprivation is that it can make babies even more awake ('wired'). The Save our Sleep book puts babies on a strict routine - waking at 7am, down for a sleep at 9am, up at 11am (wake sleeping baby if need be), down at 1pm, up at 3pm then down at 7pm for bedtime, with or without a mini nap in between. Milk on waking and solids an hour later. I didn't want to change Audrey's day routine, though apparently the author's strict routine works. Babies thrive on routine, so I guess in time they would continue to follow her routine naturally, and it would make life easy knowing when your baby's waking periods are.
ReplyDeleteDespite the books saying to the contrary, I wonder if a lot of sleeping-through-the-night babies after bottle fed. A friend, back in his baby-rearing days, used to put cereal in his young baby's bottle to the point it was the consistency of toothpaste. Needless to say she slept through the night (she was probably in a cereal-induced coma), but how dangerous (not to mention gross) is that?!
Another friend's baby sleeps through the night (7 months also), yet he barely has a wink all day. I like my daytime breaks and wouldn't give them up for anything.
And Erica - funnily enough I read that blog for the first time the night I wrote this post. Very sad. 17 months old, heck.
Sara - how hard would your job be?! You must see it all, the wonders and the tragedies.
m - The first time Lucy slept through the night I missed her dreadfully!
Erica, again - have you read up on foods that cause fussiness in breast-fed babies? I haven't had cabbage and raw broccoli while breastfeeding. Milk can also cause fussiness. I knew when I had eaten something Audrey didn't agree with as she bring up milk when burping, and wake frequently. If you're interested in investigating I'll find the info.
OMG! yes, one look at that smile and you can tell she's pure evil, lol!
ReplyDeleteJust a quick question as we now are struggling with the little one's sleep. Would you recommend 'save our sleep'? Do you know if it offers any advice on: a) baby that moves around like crazy at night and is usually found squashed into the side of the bed or sleeping face down on her tummy
ReplyDeleteb) tips on reducing/stopping nighttime nursing....we seem to have a 10-month-old that demands more and more rather than less and less
M - I am a bit hesitant to admit that I still swaddle...at close to 8 months! It's not the tightest though, I think she just likes to feel cosy (plus it's still cool here).
ReplyDeleteAs for a baby who scoots about the bed, what about a Safe-T-Sleep type product?
http://www.safetsleep.com/shop/safe-t-sleep-sleepwrap-key-b/
And failing that, a sleeping bag so she at least keeps warm?
As for night nursing, try and feed more during the day so she gets more of her daily/24hr quota during the daylight hours. Maybe look at other ways of settling. How often does she wake during the night?