Monday, January 31, 2011

How Quickly Things Change... From Desperate to Elated!

EVAN SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT LAST NIGHT!

After writing my last "desperate" post I continued to up Evan's formula for the rest of the day. In the end I guess that's what he needed because last night he slept through the night. HE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!

Maybe it wasn't just the increased formula, it might have had something to do with the fact that he hardly slept through the day yesterday. That first nap I put him down for only lasted 20 minutes, and it was the same for his second. So he was obviously exhausted when bed time rolled around. I'm preparing myself for the fact that he may be up 5 times tonight... But I'm also trying to enjoy this moment!

I ended up calling my mom yesterday afternoon because I was so distraught. A chat with her was exactly what I needed. She more or less told me to stop sweating the sleep thing. She said that if I could just shift my way of thinking that things might get better. I’ve been so concerned with his sleep schedule and trying to plan my day around when I might be able to get him down… Mom told me to stop all that! She said, if he stays up for four hours straight so be it. As long as he’s happy, he’ll fall asleep when he’s ready. She also said something that really resonated with me. She reminded me that Evan is a baby. She said that sometimes he’ll need me for no apparent reason and because he’s a baby all I need to do is love him and be there for him. So that’s it, I’m going to stop my fussing! If he’s wakes up after 20 minutes and he’s crying for me, I’m going to him. It’s not going to damage him for life, and I have to get it out of my head that he’s never going to sleep well because I don’t have him on a schedule at 8 months. My new belief is that it’s going to work itself out in time. I already feel the stress leaving my shoulders.

4 comments:

  1. Your mom is right! I have two children (3 and 1 1/2 years old) and I always went to them when they woke up and cried for me. None of that sleep training here. Now they both sleep 12 hours a night without waking!! Do what you feel is right and just realize that sometimes babies can't be scheduled and this too shall pass :) One day you will feel sad that your baby can't be held and rocked to sleep anymore and you will actually wish for these nights back. Hard to believe right now, I know!

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  2. Your mother is right! We all go through life so scheduled, regimented - and on a mission. Just relax, have fun and go with the flow day by day. As Gandhi said - "there's more to life than increasing it's speed."

    We spend so much time doing than just simply being :)

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  3. I have a son a bit older than Evan, we had the same sleep challenges. I, like you, went back to work at 6 months. Some moms are lucky and their babies just get it. Others, like my son, and Evan need guidance.

    A book worked for us, but perhaps Josie, you and Evan need a professional. There are sleep doulas out there, and I think there is one in Ottawa. Good luck. Of course you love him, but your postings suggest you need a change, and so does Evan.

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  4. A professional because an 8 month old doesn't sleep through the night? I think not. I'm glad a book worked for the above poster and I also think doulas are great...although I've never heard of a sleep doula.
    But guess what? Some babies are just not great sleepers.Yeah, when you're tired it sucks but, he will eventually sleep through the night. He will! I also go to my son every time he cries. I personally think it is essential for him to know that when he needs me or my husband - we are there for him.
    To keep my sanity when I was sleep deprived, I simply went to bed earlier.
    Chin up Josie, it will pass, promise, after all, he is just a baby! :-)

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