Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Schedule!!

We're only on Day Two of this "new" schedule, but for now it's working like a charm. When it was just William I made sure he got his uninterrupted naps. But with Abby it was like she has been napping on the fly, so to speak. She would cat nap all day long, never sleeping more than 10 or 15 minutes at a shot. Then she'd cry, I'd hold her or feed her, and she'd fall asleep for another 10 minutes or so. It didn't help that we'd spend a lot of time outside playing - she'd be awake because she didn't want to miss anything! Come night time she basically would be awake on and off the whole night, only wanting to sleep in my arms, nursing. I would start my day utterly exhausted.

So, two days ago, after talking with my mom and mother in law, I decided that she simply must be on a sleep schedule, and if she doesn't like it, she must cry it out. (I wasn't letting her cry much because I was nervous about her holding her breath/choking, due to the fact she was a preemie...and her crying would wake William when he was napping.)

Let me just say that the last two nights have been fabulous! She's been taking (under protest a little!) two morning naps (approx. 1 hour each) and 2 afternoon naps. Between 7-8 she's been ready to go down FOR. THE. NIGHT. Yes, she still woke up during the night to eat, but went right back down, and in her OWN bed! Yesterday afternoon I got a full 3 hours of child-free time while they BOTH were napping AT THE SAME TIME! That's never happened before!!

I'm SO excited I can hardly type this! If my writing seems a bit scattered it's because I can't believe that MAYBE we are on the up and up when it comes to getting some sleep!

I think a lot of her crankiness is also subsiding. She seems to be much happier these days. I'm not sure if her extreme dependency for me was due to her being premature, but at 12 + pounds it's time for her to learn to at least sleep on her own. (I checked William's baby book, and at his 4 month check up he weighed 11.11 lbs. At Abby's 2 month appointment she weighed 11.8 pounds....yeah, I'm not giving in to her due to her "prematurity" anymore!)

Crossing my fingers things continue to go fabulously,

The well-rested Mamma!

7 comments:

Tennisc G said...

That's terrific, Leah! CONGRATS!!
Glad you got some great insights from the Moms too.

Here's to long-term restful slumber... =)

-Gina

Leah said...

Yeah...I like to think that I'm not a novice mom, but good advice is always helpful!

Tennisc G said...

You do a GREAT job with your kiddos!

Enjoy standing on the shoulders of those "sage-ly" women too... they are your biggest fans!!!

Love ya
G

Kim H said...

Whoo, hoo! Good job mom making the decision and sticking with it. I'm so glad she took to the schedule so well!

Angie said...

That's awesome news! I had no idea you were struggling sleep-wise this whole time. I might have to follow your lead and see if I can get Lucy to nap, too...as she's a cat-napper at best, too.

Michigan momma said...

I remember having Leah cry it out all too well! She was the queen of cat-napping! Finally, MY mother told me to let her cry it out. She cried for 23 L-O-N-G minutes the first night and about 12 min. the 2nd nite, and after that...PEACE!! Yes, they were awful hard on me, but so worth it! She slept from then on! Good job honey!!

Grandma A said...

GOOD JOB MOMMA.....HANG IN THERE AND STICK TO YOUR "GUNS" AS ABBY IS VERY CAPABLE OF SLEEPING ON HER OWN NOW AND FOR LONGER THAN 10 OR 15 MINUTES!
YOUR PEACE OF MIND/SANITY IS WORTH HEARING ABBY CRY IT OUT A FEW TIMES...=) GOD LOVES YOU, AND SO DO WE!! HUGS, GRAMMY "A"