I’ve always been a big softy when it comes to my kids. I know in some cases it’s not healthy for them or me, but it’s hard to change…
The most recent instance of this is the fact that Small Fry, even though he’s 9 months old now, still hasn’t been sleeping through the night. And let me tell you, 9 months of not getting a full night’s sleep is hard on the mama!
Our old apartment was only a 2 bedroom, so we put him in our room when he was born; when we moved, we kept him with us even though we have more bedrooms now. Hubby felt it was more important for me to have a sewing room than for baby to have his own room. What that meant for me was that I got up with Small Fry every time he fussed all night long because I didn’t want hubby’s sleep to be (too) interrupted. Having a baby scream for even 15 minutes in the middle of the night wouldn’t be pleasant for him. Of course, it wasn’t pleasant for me, either, but I didn’t have to work during the days. What I didn’t take into account was that to be an effective teacher for Seahawk and Munchkin, I needed sleep too.
Well, yesterday, hubby had had enough. He was tired (no pun intended) of having a cranky wife in the mornings. So he dropped the mattress in the crib and moved it to the living room. It’s just there temporarily while we train Small Fry to put himself back to sleep instead of nursing throughout the night.
Last night was the first time we made him “cry it out,” and it was a raging success. He cried for about 10 minutes around 1 a.m. and (apparently) for under a minute a couple of other times. I was blissfully unaware of those other times :).
Here’s hoping the rest of the week is a smooth as last night and all he needed was for me to leave him alone during the night.
–Wendy
Wendy,
Small Fry is a beautiful baby!!!! IHe’s gotten soooo big!!! Time certainly flies. Job well done!!!
Elaine
Aw, thank you, Elaine! He’s a real joy.
Oh man, not sleeping is so hard on a mom! Listening to a baby cry in the night is so hard too! Good luck to all of you!!
You hit the nail on the head with “listening to a baby cry in the night is hard.” That’s always been my problem – with all 3 boys. I’ll sacrifice myself to keep them happy. But after nearly a year, it was time to train him. He’s growing so fast. *wipes tear away*
I must say that although I love a baby, I do not miss the lack of sleep!! Kudos on surviving night one! I hope it continues 🙂 He sure is a cutie!
I can handle the lack of sleep for a while, but unlike you, I don’t have to work a day job… I can always put the older boys down for quiet time & nap while baby does if I have to. Night 2 was even more successful than night 1, so I have high hopes for the future :). *hugs*