My babies are sleeping through the night. For over two weeks now, we put them down about 10 and they get up about 6. I hesitated posting anything for fear that I would jinx whatever good thing we had going on, but it has been almost 3 weeks!
While most people say they leave the NICU on a feeding schedule, we left after they had moved to on demand, and they stayed there. We mostly fed on demand, occasionally aiming to get them on the same schedule. But it was getting hard. I borrowed the Baby Whisperer from the library, and skimmed through it. One line really stuck out: if your baby is sleeping 6 hours during the day, that is 6 hours not at night. Sure enough, our guys were having a 6 hour stretch almost every day. So I decided to go for the schedule. I have tried to be somewhat flexible, but stay as close as possible to the schedule. We have modified it a bit, and currently they eat every 4 hours. Within a few days of finding a schedule that worked for us, they started sleeping through the night.
It has been heaven, and quite necessary.
My problem is daytime sleeping. We don't do it well at all. They have stayed on a newborn pattern of just sleeping when and where they want between feedings. They don't go down well in their beds, in fact as time goes on the napping is getting worse, to the point where they only nap well if we are driving.
Any suggestions? Do you know any tricks for getting a 4 month old baby to nap well?
And a few people have asked about my little quiz below: Brady is on the top. Carter is on the bottom. Most people who played along got it right!
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6 comments:
Stick with a strict schedule... that will help. But be flexible about where they sleep. Logan slept in a swing for nap time until he was about 10 months old. I put it in the nursery so I still got a break! We also use a sleepy time CD that we play on repeat during night time and nap time. I swear that when they hear it, they get drowsy, no matter what time it is!
Good luck!
The schedule is important. You may also be right about the time where you can let them cry it out a bit. It is the most difficult thing to do but well worth it. Normally, it takes 3 days to adjust a sleeping pattern, sometimes longer (yes, it can take a couple of weeks). The best thing you can do is start putting them in that crib. They will learn to sleep there & self sooth. Have you read Baby Wise? If not, I would highly recommend it. I don't believe in all his philosophies but I do believe the scheduling worked as well as how. If I remember correctly, much of it lines up to Baby Whisperer.
Best of luck!
I am with you on the nap thing but I am trying to get Morgan to nap while Tanner is and thats hard. I have a good book on sleeping habits that a friend has but I will get it back and pass it on to you. I might need to read about the nap schedule. Morgan is predictable for her first nap around 10:30 or 11 but after that its hit or miss and never more then 45 minutes. I am used to Tanner's 3.5 hour naps.
We had grandma over sunday for our family meal, she had brought your letter over with the pics. She was so proud!! She told us all about the story and showed us the pics at least 3 times each, poor grandma. Just thought you would get a kick out of that.
i came across your blog from carlie and trents blogs. what a cute story and family you have! we just adopted a newborn girl 6 weeks ago and are adopting a newborn boy who is suppose to be born on nov. 21st. we say they were twins in heaven because they moved mountains to be able to come together. we got picked by 2 birth parents at the same time and it's been a crazy ride but after everything, we are getting to adopt both babies. all of us believe it is because they are suppose to be together. so i have loved reading your blog tonight about your twin boys. what a precious family you have. just wanted to say hi... :) - Rachelle
Last night I wrote a long post, but then something happened to blogger and it was erased.
So, here's the SHORT version: You've got to purchase a copy of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth.
I read it when the twins were about 3 1/2 months old. It saved me. It is really helpful and takes into account that babies are differnet and parenting styles are different so there are many ways to tackle a sleep schedule and getting your kdis to sleep.
When you get the book, the first few chapters are philosophical. I'd start reading in the chapter that says 1-4 months. It gives you an action plan to help tackle sleep problems and how to develop a regular routine.
LOVE THE BOOK. It has been the best parenting book I've ever read.
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