Winning a battle doesn't mean you've won the war...
Our last blog post documented the miserable discomfiture Eric and I experienced trying to methodically execute our baby sleeping plans. Unfortunately, night #2 did not yield any better results. I (Rachel) ended up sleeping in the baby's room the entire night. Well, sleeping hardly describes my actual state of consciousness. I spent most of the night hovering precariously between a semi-conscious versus complete comatose state of being. Of course, I was desperately trying to avoid the latter given the risk of smothering my squalling little bundle of joy sleeping blissfully draped across my chest. By the next morning, I was completely exhausted and nearly hysterical after almost 96 hours without much sleep (didn't sleep the night before she was born, didn't sleep the night she was born, barely slept the night before, and now another sleepless night). Thankfully, Eric had a good night's sleep and thus was much more prepared to behave and think in a rational manner. He kindly took care of the baby for the day, allowing me to get a few hours of much needed sleep.
That afternoon, we decided that our current modus operandi was clearly not working and we needed to come up with another battle plan, quickly.
So, we called our good friends the Ings (they've been bailing us out all week with food, support, and even diapers!) to ask for some advice. They are also baby Amy's god-parents so have a somewhat vested interest in her welfare. After discussing what they did with their two little girls (who are very well behaved at age 4 and 1) we came up with a game plan. It was simple: feed her, change her, and then just let her cry herself to sleep.
So that's what we did. I fed her, Eric changed her, we rocked and sang to her, and then we placed her down in her crib. Quietness reigned for about 5 minutes then WAHHHHHHHHH. This conitnued to crescendo up to at least a quadruple forte. This she managed to maintain for the next 40 minutes. Poor mommy could hardly stand it. I felt like my heart was being picked out of my chest piece by piece. However, we stayed firm. Eric would periodically go in to reassure her, make sure her diaper wasn't full and that she hadn't lost her blankets. After 40 minutes or so, she finally cried herself to sleep. We breathed a sigh of relief. But the quietness was short lived, within 20 minutes she was back at it again. She kept this up for about another 40 minutes, at which point it was time for her feeding.
After her feeding, however, she squawked for about 15 minutes and then FELL ASLEEP and STAYED ASLEEP for the rest of the night!!!!!!! I had to wake her up twice for her feeds but she fell right back to sleep!!!!!!! It was almost like magic.
Nights #4&5 was a repeat of night #1, although the crying didn't last nearly as long (maybe 40 minutes this time total).
Last night (night #6), however, she didn't cry AT ALL!!!!! Absolutely amazing.
She may cry again tonight, she may not. I don't really care. We've won the sleep battle and all of us our happier. Mommy and daddy are able to sleep, Amy's not at risk for being smothered by comatose parents, and Amy's learning to sooth and put herself to sleep.
That afternoon, we decided that our current modus operandi was clearly not working and we needed to come up with another battle plan, quickly.
So, we called our good friends the Ings (they've been bailing us out all week with food, support, and even diapers!) to ask for some advice. They are also baby Amy's god-parents so have a somewhat vested interest in her welfare. After discussing what they did with their two little girls (who are very well behaved at age 4 and 1) we came up with a game plan. It was simple: feed her, change her, and then just let her cry herself to sleep.
So that's what we did. I fed her, Eric changed her, we rocked and sang to her, and then we placed her down in her crib. Quietness reigned for about 5 minutes then WAHHHHHHHHH. This conitnued to crescendo up to at least a quadruple forte. This she managed to maintain for the next 40 minutes. Poor mommy could hardly stand it. I felt like my heart was being picked out of my chest piece by piece. However, we stayed firm. Eric would periodically go in to reassure her, make sure her diaper wasn't full and that she hadn't lost her blankets. After 40 minutes or so, she finally cried herself to sleep. We breathed a sigh of relief. But the quietness was short lived, within 20 minutes she was back at it again. She kept this up for about another 40 minutes, at which point it was time for her feeding.
After her feeding, however, she squawked for about 15 minutes and then FELL ASLEEP and STAYED ASLEEP for the rest of the night!!!!!!! I had to wake her up twice for her feeds but she fell right back to sleep!!!!!!! It was almost like magic.
Nights #4&5 was a repeat of night #1, although the crying didn't last nearly as long (maybe 40 minutes this time total).
Last night (night #6), however, she didn't cry AT ALL!!!!! Absolutely amazing.
She may cry again tonight, she may not. I don't really care. We've won the sleep battle and all of us our happier. Mommy and daddy are able to sleep, Amy's not at risk for being smothered by comatose parents, and Amy's learning to sooth and put herself to sleep.
Comments
Now, that we are starting the transition to a toddler bed it is not that easy. But my heart does not break to hear her cry anymore. ;)
Blessings to all three of you!
Love you guys!