Ah sleep.
It amazes me how much we adults adore it, yet most children and babies abhor it.
I’ve had beautiful emails wondering how we’re going on the sleep front. Thank you.
I still haven’t had a full nights sleep in my own bed.
So remember when I was doing Operation Sleep?
For those that don’t, a few months ago Lacey’s sleeping was really bad. I hate using that word bad, because she’s not ‘bad’ but she just wasn’t sleeping.
She was in her room, in her cot. She would wake sometimes every 40 minutes throughout the night. I would have to go in, get her, bring her to my bed, feed her and then put her back to sleep. I had been doing that for months and was exhausted. I felt hungover every day. I wasn’t getting any deep sleep at all.
I decided to try and teach Lacey to self settle. It was horrible and it didn’t work. I tried for a whole week. Lacey vomited a few times. She fell asleep sitting up, and stayed that way all night. She just wouldn’t lie down. Tresillian (sleep guru hotline) told me to leave her, so I did. They said she would eventually lie herself down. She didn’t.
So after many tears (mine) and much heartache (mine, again) I decided to bring her into our bed. Before this adventure she wouldn’t sleep in our bed. I would have done it months ago if she would. This wasn’t about anything other than trying to get more sleep for ourselves and more so about survival.
When we brought her into our bed I imagined if she could speak she would have said in her sweet little voice: Mama, please let me sleep with you. I will do whatever you want me to do. Please Mama.
As soon as she was in our bed. She slept. And she slept well.
I felt like I had taught her nothing, and I felt a little defeated. But I was getting sleep. She woke once a night. I’d quickly feed her and she would go back to sleep.
That lasted for about week.
Now she wakes a little bit more. Sometimes 10 times a night, sometimes twice. I’d say on average it’s about 3 times a night.
I dream about stretching out in bed, not sleeping cautiously because there is a little body next to me. But this is so much better than how things were months ago. I know it’s not forever.
Sometimes at about 2am Lacey will wake and think it’s morning. She’ll crawl up and kiss me a million times. And then, because Hubby taught her to whisper, she’ll whisper little words to us. We have no idea what she is trying to tell us, but it’s quite possibly the cutest thing EVER.
It’s hard not to laugh.
Waking up in the morning (at the normal hour) is the sweetest thing. I love seeing her smiling little face. She’s so happy and secure.
So that’s where we’re at on the sleeping front. I’m no Tizzie Hall (sleep guru) but I have a happy little baby. And if I have a happy little baby, I guess that makes me a Happy Mama. xx
Image: Boopsie.Daisy
Yay to happy Mumma’s. I think it’s important you just do what works for you and screw what everybody else thinks. If Lacey is happy then thats ok.
Were still having dramas, Joss refuses to go her bed so normally passes out on the couch, spends a few hours in her bed and then a few in ours and I eventually transfer her back to her own bed. My oldest is an amazing sleeper so I know it will pass in time.
My motto with parenting is “You gotta do what you gotta do”. Sometimes it’s not about what’s right or wrong, what other people say and think you should be doing, it’s about what’s right for you, what works for your family, and most importantly, what keeps you SANE! I’m glad you’re getting some sleep, it’s horrible trying to be a mama and run a house when you are propping your eyes open with toothpicks.
With my oldest we had a LOT of sleep issues. He started having sleep terrors from a very early age (6 months), woke a lot, cried a lot (also to the point of vomiting), and was a really horrible sleeper. We also co-slept just to get some sleep, it was the only thing that worked for us. As he got older it did get way easier to get him sleeping better and sleeping on his own in his own bed, though he still has frequent night terrors and has started having bedtime tantrums. Thankfully my youngest is a more “go with the flow” type of kid and it makes life a lot easier for us, though he’s still waking 2-4 times a night at almost 12 months. My oldest didn’t STTN until he was closer to 19 months, so I’m not expecting it to happen just yet.
I came across your blog yesterday and I think it is gorgeous. I have a 2 year old who has always been a troublesom sleeper, she co-sleeps with me, last week was going to be the weekend I got her to sleep in her own bed…..again she is asleep in mine lol but I get the little whispers “awwww alright babe love you” from her and I melt, sometimes we have to do what we have to do, she still wakes 2-3 times a night, however I am doing what is working for me at the moment to get a teeny amount of sleep, one day she will want to ignore me and find me a nuisance, so I might get my bed back then hehehe
I really enjoyed reading this post!
Sleep is huge in mummy land, who’s getting it, who’s not, who’s ‘given in’ and let bub in bed, and of course, who’s off to sleep school!
First one, we did sleep school, because being young parents we thought that was the right thing to do. Worked but hated every minute of it. Second and third time, co slept from day one. Forth one, slept with me until she started moving too much and is in the cot, but very happy. She is so cruisie she doesn’t care where she sleeps. lol!
Great work trusting yourself and doing what works for your family! xox
Sounds like you followed your instint/heart and the both of you are better for it. ((hugs)) I soooo remember those days and believe this Ol’ Lady when she says Treasure them because they disappear all too fast.
This struck such a chord with me!
As a mum of 9… yes, I really did say 9… it’s not a typo… lol I have had the full gamut of GREAT sleepers versus the NOT SO GREAT sleepers! I’ve had reflux babies, colic babies, playful babies, very wakeful unhappy babies … one that thought his daytime routine should start at 3 am and finish about 9 am… One that wouldn’t sleep til he watched an ENTIRE tennis match with dad…
One that would scream from 5 pm – 10 pm… oh the joys of it all!!!
It’s been such fun!
Now I have them aged almost 21 years down to 2 years… and I have loved every moment! Ok well not loving the sleepless part – I’m not good at that… but you do get past it!
I saw your blog post on Connect2Mums and I thought I’d drop by, say hi and introduce myself! You can read all about us at http://haywardhomestead.blogspot.com … for all the fun frolics or ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Pantry…’
Enjoy!
Cheers
Michelle Hayward
Great Post Chantelle! I think EVERYONE can relate to this one! We have all been there and it seems as though you are doing a great job being a Mom (mum)! Hang in there!
Erin
all three of out kids are different and two are twins! do what works until it doesn’t then try something else… my two pennies
gosh i think we must have both written a ‘sleep’ blog entry at the same time. good to hear lacey has improved! there’s nothing better than having bub in bed, i love it.
Zoe slept in our bed for the first 10 weeks – so I know the feeling of not being able to stretch out, roll over, move! I am definitely a fan of – do whatever works! I’m just so glad that Zoe decided that she wanted to sleep in her own bed now – my body is very thankful!
My little dude looks so sweet when he is finally asleep but boy does he go down fighting. Why can’t he cherish it the way I do?
Thanks guys. Looks like I’m not the only one with a cheekly little monkey on my hands!
I’m glad others do what works.
And Helen – You’re right. It is pretty special having her in with us. xx