We thought we had him where we wanted him. But now he’s definitely running the show. Or something.
Sleep routine, my big behind.
Two nights ago, maybe it was teething. The crying, the waking. We brought him back into bed with us. Then last night, back into the crib.
And tonight, crib. But we’re basically rocking and singing him to sleep, and then he wakes up as soon as we put him down, and cries if we leave the room, and then we go in and do it again. I have no stomach for CIO lately (even though I have let him for a few minutes, a few times) and I’m feeling incredibly bad about it. The threat of “bad habits” as in “you’re going to create…” is taking all the fun out of this parenthood thing. I keep hearing the Baby Whisperer asking me if I want to be rocking a 20 pound sack of potatoes to sleep because soon that’s what I will be doing. Start as you mean to go on, she’d say. My big fat butt, I say back. Which is American English for, “You’re right, and the horse you rode in on has a big fat butt.”
In other news, the boy continues to be incredibly cute and full of laughter (when he’s not being expected to sleep). In fact, he’s most giggly sometimes just after you put him down and his eyes pop open and he wiggles his legs and cocks his head, “Play with me?” he says.
His roll-overs have gotten more elegant. Now, from his belly, he pushes up, and then raises his head with a SWOOP, giving him an arc-ing swanlike momentum as he flops over.
Today I bought rubber-tipped spoons. Solid food, coming soon…
You are so funny. I have no words of wisdom to offer since I failed utterly at the sleep routine. But I am sure that you will work it out. Good luck…
Meanwhile, the kids turn out all right no matter how the sleep routine shakes out.
So why would it be a bad thing to be rocking a 20lb baby to sleep?
I still cuddle my 3.5 year old to sleep every night – it’s our special time to snuggle and be close. I like that every night she goes to sleep surrounded by warmth and security.
I am also still nursing my 1 year old to sleep every night and wouldn’t change that for anything. He also sleeps part of the night with us as well.
Sorry I just HATE the whole CIO thing. I know some people really need to use it and I respect their choice.
I just read your blog and you aren’t happy about doing it so my thoughts on that are – well don’t do it.
Stop reading books and do what makes you, your husband and baby happy.
I never read any of the sleep books, so I cann’t speak to what is in them. I do know that all of the “you’ll never break them of that” advice I got was totally wrong (and I understand that kids are different, so maybe it would have caused problems with other kids). Anyhow, I’ve had three kids sleep in my bedroom who are all now sleeping in their own beds. Each one stayed with us (in our bed, then on a mattress on our floor) for about two years. Transitioning them out of our room really wasn’t difficult.
I know I’ve said it before, but go with your gut. YOU know that kid, not the book writers. Do what feels right for you and Jonah.
Katie’s last blog post..Probably More Than You Wanted to Know…
Just keep repeating, “It’s all part of the process, all part of the process, all part…”
I tagged you for a blog meme. Hope that’s okay. Just what you need: homework!
Laura’s last blog post..Tag, you’re it
Thank you, all of you. Needed to be reminded to come back to center. I am so easily thrown.
Your comments really helped me feel love instead of fear today.
Will keep rocking, co-sleeping or not, as desired.
Now, on to Laura’s meme…
I would agree to just do whatever feels right. I’ve raised 4 kids now…and each of them had different needs when it came to sleeping at night.
As my mom would say, this too shall pass.
Barbara
Barbara Ling’s last blog post..When life bruises you, decorate it with a happy face and rebound