(no subject)

[theatokos]

It's close to 1 AM. Bennett has finally - FINALLY - consented to sleeping. He had two half hour naps, passed out at 7.30, slept for two hours. I came to bed at 9.30 and my mere presence woke him up. It's like he's got special mama radar that functions eve in the heaviest of his sleeping. He would not go back to sleep.

Our night:
Nursing, snuggling, singing, bottle, repeat the first three. Headbutts, squirming, babbling, kicking. Swaddling, nursing, singing, stroking, bottle. Crying, flailing, hands and knees, chasing fairies (or something that he can see and I can't) up the wall, kicking Adam repeatedly in the upper extremities. Bottle, cuddling, stroking. Kicking, crying, laughing. Adam leaves for the couch. Sleeping! Crying, all fours, crawling, whacking head into wall. Light on, diaper change, nursing, cuddling. Screaming, sobbing, squirming, passing out. Sneaking out to pee..... AWAKE! Crying, snuggling, nursing. ASLEEP!

Peeing, water, snack, internet, bed.

OY.

Good thing I'll be fresh and rested for the portraits that we're getting taken tomorrow.

Comments

[readthisandweep.livejournal.com]

At the risk of sounding like a know-all & somewhat old fashioned, IMHV a baby sleeps far better (& by default, so do the parents) if s/he sleeps in her/his own bed. It can be in the same room (although not necessaryly; just needs to be calm & peaceful.)

Perhaps you might consider weaning Bennett? Contrary to popular mythology, they don't do it themselves! A baby will breast feed until it's ten if you allow the practice. If you leave it too late, you may find yourself in a situation where it becomes traumatic & disturbing for both of you to achieve.

Bennett's sleep patterns are normal ~ it's frustrating for you but is about his energy levels unfortunately & not yours! And of course he woke when you came to bed ~ he's sharing it!

The chaotic night-time pattern of behaviour you describe is almost certainly to do with testing your boundaries. Unless you create some very clear ones, you will find it virtually impossible to break this cycle. And if Bennett's night-time activity is driving your husband to the couch, maybe it's time to address this issue?

Even small babies require & indeed thrive, on discipline. So long as they are loved & secure, it will work.

Don't fall into the trap of believing the lie that women who wean their children at a year to eighteen months old, or who encourage them to sleep alone are bad mothers. They aren't. They are wise ones, developing sensible habits which benefit everyone & which introduce the rudiments of independence.

Feel free to ignore me :)

[miss-malloreee.livejournal.com]

*I agree with previous comment*

However, is he teething? or getting a cold or something? usually B is a very content baby right? Maybe he's going through a growth spurt... or maybe it is time for other changes... babies are always switching it up, maybe he is telling you he ready now for his own sleeping space.

[mindycl.livejournal.com]

when Mendy refuses to sleep, I let him stand in his bed and cry for 2-3 minutes. then he's ready to nurse again and usually falls asleep.