Coco is coming up on 10 months, in just a few days. It’s hard for me to imagine that when I first started writing this blog, she was a mere five weeks old. She was tiny and sweet and she slept. My God, did she sleep. For hours and hours. And while I know that most newborns do that, she really was the Champion of Newborn Sleepers. She’d go for hours and hours at night, and I just couldn’t believe my luck, particularly after life with Pea, who was Not the Champion of Newborn Sleepers.
And then, something happened. I’m not really all that sure what it was, but it was huge. My best guess is that it was teething. Or perhaps a stuffy nose. Or maybe just a mama who enjoyed being needed just a little too much (that’d be my husband’s guess). Whatever it was, Coco just had so much trouble sleeping. And she was probably waking up every hour or so. And I went to her, nursed her back to sleep, and then we’d go through it all again, one hour later. Not a big deal. Except that here we are, she’s coming up on one year, and I just never bothered to retrain her in the art of sleeping and so we are still on this ridiculous schedule, albeit at two hour intervals, a definite improvement on the former 90-minute schedule!
I thought I was fine, too. I’d pop out of bed in the morning, no problem. Sure, I drink coffee, but only because I enjoy it, not because I need it. Right? Right?
But by 4 in the afternoon, I was becoming a mess. A grumpy, no patience at all kind of a mess. And a couple of days ago, I looked in the mirror and cried. I look old. And tired. Like a tired 35-year old mama. I can see it in my eyes, which for the first time ever look puffy with dark half-moons underneath them. Something has to change.
So, we are gearing up for Sleep Training 2008. It worked with Pea. It’s worked with Coco once before. And I know it will work again.
I’ve mentioned this book before, do not judge me when I mention it again. “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” has changed our lives and we will continue to use it in this household for as long as we have small children who do not know how to sleep.
Wish us luck. We begin on Tuesday night…
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We “sleep trained” our first son Josh…Letting him cry it out was so tough and my husband had to hold me down with both arms (slight exaggeration) so I wouldn’t rescue my little guy. However, it worked. Like magic. Now he is the best sleeper ever and still takes a 2 hour nap every day – even at nearly 3 years old…Hang in there!
Be strong my friend…and grab some ear plugs. It’ll work…
XOXOXO
We used “Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child” with Noah and it is absolutely a family favorite. We give it to all our friends a few months before their babes arrive and just pulled it out again to brush up for our next baby arriving in April.
I have been meaning to mention Acidophilus/Biphidus combo to you. After reading about your families ongoing illness woes I wanted to mention it but kept putting it off. Then, when I read about your skin condition, I said “Whoa, wait a minute, this REQUIRES probiotic intervention!”
I started using it before I got married because I had chronic yeast infections…yes, disgusting I know. Imagine a Yeastie a month! Well, it was one thing to deal with it when I was single, but a whole other issue to imagine putting my husband through it too. So, I searched out a cure, not just something to treat the symptoms.
To my amazement after 2 weeks of A/B combo capsules (I found a great brand that doesn’t require refrigeration) not another yeast infection…ever! Then I noticed a wonderful side affect, the horrible adult acne that attacked me in my late 20’s (I am 36 now, was 32 when I got married) was gone too. I continue to take it because I have read it also gives your immune system a boost and keeps your gut healthy.
Okay, I know this is long, but I have to add one more praise of A/B. Noah spit up about 12 times a day for 9 months. I tortured myself thinking it was something I was eating or drinking and passing to him through breast milk that was making him spit up. My pediatrician said have you tried acidophilus? I started taking a capsule and sprinkling it on his oatmeal every morning and in 2 weeks he stopped spitting up! Coincidence? I don’t think so!
I swear by the stuff and say try if for 2 weeks for whatever ails you or your family.
Cheers to you and keep up the great blogging, I always look forward to your writing.
I have to add, that the book also teaches about sleep schedules. About the importance of the right amount of sleep and even how our bodies work biologically with our need for sleep. And that’s where I was messing up with Lolly. I was actually trying to have her sleep too often during the day. It talks about how their sleeping needs change as they grow. And how not enough sleep, and sleep at the wrong times can affect them, physically, behaviorally, mentally.. all of it.. Even if you don’t do the “cry it out” thing, there is lots of good info in it for how important healthy sleeping habits are for EVERYONE!
Melissa, that book was recommended tome by several people including my pediatrician. I bought it and tossed it aside. Let my child “cry it out” NO WAY! Then one day I was tired so tired and thought I should try it. It works, I know you had success with Pea using it. But I guess as another testiment to the book it worked for us and now Pear sleep really really well. She adjusted with in a month and keeps improving each week! Good luck, the first few weeks are the hardest, I thought. Thanks for the reccomendation on the car seat. Sounds like the marathon is the one!
Thanks Melissa.
We just recently did this with our daughter. Her sleeping (or lack thereof) had taken over our nights. We had to do something. So as heartbreaking as it was for us, we did a similar version of what you are doing. Ours was modified b/c I went in every 10-15 minutes. For me, I was glad I did. She would often have a diaper that needed attention (#2). We now rarely have to go back in (we just did this and thankfully she got it quick). I feel for you b/c I know it is a hard thing to do. We are very glad we did what we did though. Good luck!!!
Good Luck! I was blessed with sleepers. They all liked to sleep, just like their Mom.
I thought all kids were this way, until I got out into the real world.
Unfortunatley I have kids that won’t eat, and were terrible to nurse too. It was a nine month struggle with all three. They get you one way or the other!
PS. Found you through your Google Ad!
Cry it out…
Not everyone’s favorite, but highly (and quickly) effective…
what is the plan in this book? i was just wondering the main idea here…
Good luck with the sleep training! It is a big job, but so worth it when you can make it through your evenings without losing it and you have your youthful look back:)
Hey no one should judge another mom at all when she has her child’s and her own best interest at heart. As a mom of two I need as much sleep as I can manage. my youngest just went through a few nights of ZERO sleep and I felt like every bit of niceness was sucked out of me! I had to do this with my son..the sleep camp thing, but I didn’t know a helpful book existed so I learned it on my own. Anyway, point is..ya gotta do what works and good luck!
If you’re breastfeeding, is Coco getting caffeine through your breast milk? You said you were drinking coffee, but obviously it’s in tea and chocolate. Just wondered because I have sympathy for you – I wish I could sleep!!!! Good luck!
Good luck, Melissa.
Bear didn’t sleep through the night even ONCE until he was 10 months old. And that was only after I put my foot down about NO night feedings. (my pediatrician convinced me he got enough during the day) And know what? After the very first night, I let him cry (I watched the clock, I wasn’t going to let it go longer than 5 minutes) and he fell back asleep and slept all night.
Hang in there — you’ll both get there!
No one should judge you Melissa and no one will. YOU are doing the best thing for you and for the girls, Pea included. A grumpy, tired mother is of no use to them and the state of affairs you are in has to change for your sanity and their well-being. Look at me. It took my husband and I two and half years of the kind of crazy schedule you speak about to realize that something had to give. I still blame it on first-time parent syndrome but the truth is that I didn’t know how to put my foot down. The crying into the mirror for looking old was happening to me once a week. It had my morale down to the floor. That’s not good. Go ahead with your plans and the best of luck. When that first uninterrupted night comes along you’ll all be the better for it. The best of luck.
Ooooh, good luck Melissa. Clara was up nursing every HOUR from 10 months until about 13 months when I finally had to put my foot down because I, too, was a tired, grumpy mess. I hope that it all goes smoothly and you are able to get some much needed rest.
Be well…
Good luck!! We have that book too, and used it on our 4 year old, Evie. Worked great. And now I have an 8mth old that we used it on. Lolly wasn’t getting up every 2 hours every night, but she was very inconsistent and I thought I was doing what I remembered. Finally one night, about a month ago, I sat down to read where she should be. I was totally napping her wrong during the day! I changed that and she pretty much then was only getting up at 4 or so for a bottle. I now, in the past few weeks have started to let her cry it out. She’s only fussing though, so it’s no biggie really. And she does go back to sleep till 7 or so. You can do it!! Just turn your monitor down low so it’s not so torturous
I’m still feeling tired all of the time b/c 8mths of not the right kind of sleep will take a while to reverse! I feel for ya! Best wishes!!