After doing some reading, it occurred to me that I've got the eating thing down fine, but I was TOTALLY screwing up the nap time thing. For some reason I had it in my head that the more I kept him up during the day the better he would sleep at night. But, he was getting so stinkin' fussy/angry/cranky during the day that I was at a loss. Uh, duh. My child needs to nap more often than once during the day.
Since I go back to work in a week, I'm committing myself to getting him on a reasonable eat, play sleep schedule for at least the next week. I would like to be able to tell his caretaker that he eats 5 oz, plays around for an hour (including feeding time) and then will take a 2 hour nap. Rinse and repeat. I understand that the wakeful time will get longer and the naps a little less frequent (combined with sleeping longer at night) but my 6 week old is not ready to go hours on end without a nap, lol.
I can't believe it. I've been so frustrated this week with my fussy little guy. To think the key was letting him sleep. We would have both been much happier!
Here is a great resource for the Baby Wise Methodology!
 |
| From Mikey 2.11.09 |
Mikey looks so cute sitting up like that!
ReplyDeleteWe are firm believers in Baby Wise. Both my girls began sleeping through the night fairly early and they both really took to the scheduling. It helped us cope as well. I think the people who have a problem with Baby Wise don't understand that you are supposed to be flexible with the scheduling...just not to the point of demand feeding.
You know I am all about Babywise tactics- it's funny because our Lamaze instructor warned us against the book by saying it's not approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics. When Shannon was a few weeks old, Dave and I went out to Teakwood's for lunch one day and there was a new dad of twins there about the same age. I actually bought the book because of my conversation with him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the bloglink- I think I will go get Babywise II just to brush up. I think we are lucky to have a baby with a good disposition, but I also believe you can train them to a certain degree. I'm really getting into reading parenting stuff now- "The Five Love Languages of Children" and "The Parent You Want To Be" are on my shelf.
You must have mixed feelings about work- this can be a tough transition. I remember my first shift back almost crying after about a half an hour, because I realized that it would be the longest separation I had had from baby. Plus everything is different at work, people have figured out that life goes on without you, so it can be awkward coming back. I felt a little empty too since I demoted coming back and I was training my replacement. Whoa, long-winded. :) Talk soon.
Also- that is a great 6-weeker smile!
ReplyDeleteHe looks so cute in this picture! Congrats on getting a smile! Mine can't even focus on me yet...
ReplyDeleteVicki - Glad to know that you have two happy, well adjusted children that were both brought up on BW. I was a little hesitant after reading a lot of hate spewed venom about BW, but it just makes sense for me and the baby. We are both happier when he is on a schedule.
ReplyDeleteLiz - I wouldn't be doing BW if it were not for you! I'm so happy to have a pal that just recently implemented this with her young one! I will gladly bring your book back to you on Thursday so you don't have to spend the moolah on a new one :) Also - thanks for the recommended reading. I'm going to need to get some new books. Amazon, here I come!
Heidi - Mikey has just recently started smiling socially, and even more recently has he started smiling in response to certain faces I make at him. Kinda neat, and until now I was not sure if it was really a smile.
No worries about the original book- I want to get the sequel for older babies. I have an Amazon giftcard so I think I will use that. TTYL :)
ReplyDelete