Mission Accomplished

Well, I did manage to have my daughter sleep through the night... after many weeks of trial and error.  We are happily going from 11ish to 6am! Some nights a midnight feed would be good enough until 5am, some nights not. I tried 11pm feeds, then a soother and a pat when she woke at 3am, only to be up again at 3:30, then 4am etc.  At times, it just seemed easier to feed her at 3am rather than attempt to soothe her. I'm sure her decision to sleep through the night from now on was more about her being ready, than my strategies. It coincided with her ability to pop her own 'suzie' in...
      The preceding nights, I woke her by changing her diaper at 12am, fed her, then she woke up at 2am/ 4am but only cried for 5mins each time (falling asleep after). I wondered if I had let her cry for a few minutes before, instead of rushing to feed her, if this feat could have been achieved weeks ago... Now, I don't hear a peep from 11pm- 5:30 or so (but make sure not to go in to feed her until 6am). She seems content to whine and chat a bit until I arrive;) Somehow after a couple of weeks of 'sleeping through the night' I don't feel as refreshed as I thought I might be. I still drag my ass out of bed in my 'mombie' state and fight the afternoon crash with an onslaught of caffeine.

Mission: Sleeping Through the Night

Alright, it has been 5 months of terrible sleep. Everyone who told me... "Enjoy sleeping in now, those days are numbered!" I had nooo idea. These days, I consider it a good night when I get up once between 10-6am. (Albeit I am 'up' for about half an hour, diaper change, feed, burp). My mission: to sleep for a period longer than 5 hours at night. Not to much to ask is it??

The Plan:
My daughter currently wakes up at 2ish to eat, then sleeps until 6-7am. Often, she isn't particularly hungry when she gets up. After a recent stormy night, she woke up at 1:30, ate, and got up at the usual time. I thought if I could keep feeding her progressively earlier each night...
Night 1- woke herself up 1:30 ate, up at 6:30
Night 2- I got her up 1:30, changed her diaper, fed her, slept until 6:50
Night 3- She woke up at 1am!!! Ate, slept until 6:40
Tonight--- setting my alarm for 1am
Tomorrow- setting alarm for 12:50... and so on 10 minutes earlier each night

Wish me luck!!!!

Sleep Training...again!

So after a few weeks of my daughter going down for naps/ bed quite easily... We are now into screaming each time placed in the crib. I've heard this is quite common at 4 or 5 months--- due to???

I've regressed myself, endless rocking, nursing etc. but have the same results. I am now doing a more hard-core Ferberizing... ie: 5 mins, 10 minutes then 15 minutes of crying (with comforting in between). This approach definitely goes against all of your maternal instincts, but seems to be working. She usually cries herself to sleep during the 10 minute stretch. Quite sad, but I am not getting up ten times a night to play the soother game either. She seems to be figuring things out... for now.

Nap transitions...

Now that my daughter is 4 1/2 months old, she is able to stay up for about 2 hours before hitting the wall. After joining civilization during mama groups, visits with friends etc., I noticed when I kept her up longer, she would crash for a 2 hour (instead of 1 hour nap). Apparently, most of my friends babies the same age are already doing 2 long naps a day.... After some huge meltdowns after putting her down at the usual hour and a half wake time, I have been keeping her awake longer. So far so good...sometimes hour and a half naps or two.

According to 'Healthy Sleep Habits', babies older than 4 months need longer naps, naps under an hour do not count as naps at all (ie: not restorative).

• Annoying new skill---she can take out her soother, but cannot put it back in (wails until put in by mama;(

Fav Books

The Happiest Baby on the Block http://www.amazon.ca/Happiest-Baby-Block-Crying-Newborn/dp/0553381466/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290472528&sr=1-1

Sleeping Through the Night  http://www.amazon.ca/Sleeping-Through-Night-Jodi-Mindell/dp/0062734091

Secrets of the Baby Whisperer   http://www.amazon.ca/Secrets-Baby-Whisperer-Connect-Communicate/dp/0345479092/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290472376&sr=1-1

Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems   http://www.amazon.ca/Baby-Whisperer-Solves-Your-Problems/dp/0743488946/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290472376&sr=1-2

The Rookie Mom's Survival Guide   http://www.amazon.ca/Survival-Guide-Rookie-Moms-Things/dp/0470736429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290472439&sr=1-1

Healthy Sleep Habits,Happy Child   http://www.amazon.ca/Healthy-Sleep-Habits-Happy-Child/dp/0449004023/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290472474&sr=1-1

What to Expect in the First Year   http://www.amazon.ca/What-Expect-First-Year-Cover/dp/0761152121/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1290472569&sr=1-1

Fav baby products

• ***Sleep Sheep (use daily 4-5 times;)
• Summer digital video baby monitor (awesome--colour and night vision video of your babe!)
• Jumperoo or Exersaucer
• Ergo carrier (not fun @ beginning insert confusing, but loved it as of 3 months), face you but can wear on back when older
• Baby Bjorn (nice to use when infant, then face out when older--ergo better for longer walks/ or for going out for meals
• Medela breast pump (I have manual one, good enough for me, although many friends love the electric for speed)
• Evenflo glass bottles (4 and 8oz) fit with the medela pump
• Aden+Anais swaddle blankets (great for first 2 months, my daughter only lasted 6 weeks, then switched to sleep sacks)
• Sleep sacks- (many brands out there, Grobag, Pinpin- bamboo, Aden+Anais (online only): make sure to buy the correct weight for the season-- important they're not too hot
• Robeez shoes/ boots (actually stay on)
• Gagou Tagou socks (only socks that stay on---Babies R'Us, although a bit thin for winter)
• Night gowns (elastic bottoms you can whip up for easy nighttime diaper changes)
• Mountain Buggy stroller & carrycot (used as bassinet for first 3 weeks on jolly jumper bassinet base)
• Prince Lionheart diaper wipes warmer
• Bumbo and tray
• Bouncy Chair ***my saviour in first 2 months!
• Jolly Jumper on stand
• JJ Cole bundleme (stroller blanket)
• Baby Einstein activity mat
• Manhattan Toys (Infant Stim mobile is awesome--can switch out images to keep novel)
• Oi Oi Diaper bag: even has insulated bottle holders*(I have 2, one utility bag JJ Cole, & stylish more purse like one)--have on babysteals once in a while to save $
• Peg Perego car seat (has side impact protection)
• Britax Advocate convertible car seat (best crash test rating, side impact protection)

Seems like a waste...

• bottle warmers (home): you can use hot water in a mug just as quickly
• Avoid diaper bags with flap over top (can't fit as much in these, annoying to retrieve things)
• Swing (some babies love it, mine didn't), she was happier on her activity mat

R.I.P. Sleep

After a month of fussy evenings and major meltdowns while trying to put our daughter to bed. I realised she was extremely overtired. Apparently babies under 4 months should ideally be awake for 1-2 hours max. Later babies take longer naps less frequently (ie 9-11am, 1-3pm). Early bedtimes for babies and older children are key (no later than 8pm).

After starting a sleep routine, it may take what seems like forever before baby actually 'goes to bed' early and stays asleep longer. It does eventually pay off, but it can be a long road to get there (depending on your baby). After 3 days of 'sleep training' my daughter no longer fussed more than 10 mins for naps or bedtime. I am still waiting for her to 'sleep through the night' (technically 12am-5am or better applies). She is currently in bed at 6:30pm, up at 11pm and 3am to eat, then up for day between 6-7am (@ 4 months old).

'Sleep training' can begin anytime after 8-10 weeks according to some experts. I started full on at 12 weeks, using an adapted "Feberizing" approach (more on this later). Here are a few ideas:

• Sleep training aims to teach your baby self soothing skills (ie: the ability to put themselves to sleep)
• Do occasional 'sleep logs' to track when baby naturally gets sleepy. Track for a couple days, wait until baby shows tired signs, put baby down 20-30 mins before that (it takes about 20 mins for most babies to fall asleep)
• Put your baby down awake
• Put baby down before they fuss, rub eyes, yawn
• Baby Whisperer: EASY method, feed, activity (5-45 mins depending on age) then put down drowsy (not in deep sleep)
• Cluster feeding (2 hour feeding intervals, 4, 6 and 8pm to fuel up for night stretch)
• 'Dream' Feeds (feeding baby while she's asleep, no need to burp--tanks them up and may extend sleep period)
• Pick up/put down method (pick up when crying, then put down when stop...repeat)
• Let them fuss/cry for as long as you feel comfortable, don't rush in at first squeal (they cry in their sleep, you may wake them)
• 'Feberizing' (let cry 5 mins, then comfort, leave for 10 mins if crying... increase if you feel comfortable-- (I wimp out at 5-7 mins each time, but works for us)
• Very short naps (under 30 mins) can mean baby has woken themselves up, try helping them back to sleep before snatching them out of the crib and going on with activities
• Try putting in soother, rubbing back or tummy while shushing before picking them up
• Sleep is cumulative, multiple days of missed naps/ sleep debt can negatively affect your babies development
• Afternoon naps or most restorative for baby, try not to miss these if on the go

Myth Buster

• **Missing naps during day don't mean better sleep at night, in fact the opposite is true!
• Staying up later doesn't mean baby will sleep in longer. Babies have their own bio-rhythm and will eventually wake up around the same time every morning regardless.
• Sleeping on you results in a lighter REM sleep, not as restorative as motionless sleep alone

Sources: 'Secrets of the Baby Whisperer', 'Sleeping through the Night', 'Healthy Sleep Habits for Children'

Starting a Routine

There are a few things that I wish I had started earlier... including a bedtime routine. By around 4 weeks my wide awake newborn was fussy between 6-10pm nightly. (This was because she was overtired...more on that later). Due to exhaustion I would park myself in front of the TV and ride out the fussy period.

• Bedtime routine: massage, bath, songs or stories(5mins max), rocking, cuddling
• Nap routine: a shorter version of the above (ie: massage feet while singing)

Of course these don't work if your baby is already in a overtired state (wailing). You need to help them get to sleep asap. Ideally you start the routine before they show tired signs (yawning). Usually an hour after wakeful period.

• EASY method a la Baby Whisperer (ie: Eat, Activity, Sleep, time for You)
• Change positions: too much time in the car seat, swing or on their back can cause flat spots on their soft heads. When putting to sleep, put them down at opposite ends of the bassinet/ crib
• Tummy time: super important to give as many opportunities daily. Burp across your lap, lay them on your chest, put a couple of rolled up blankets under their chest (or a soft breastfeeding pillow)
• 'Bum to the Breeze' time: babies need a daily break from their diaper, throw down a towel and brace for explosions

Diaper dilemma

Last post for today... has anyone else had trouble with disposables leaking?? I have to change my daughter's sleeper, sheets and sleep sack sometimes twice a day! Tried bigger size with same results. Although bulkier, cloth is so much better for mama earth! Cost is same, or slightly less. Am starting cloth diaper service tomorrow. Will let you know how it goes.

Fav Baby Related Websites

https://www.ecobabybuys.com/
Another daily deal site with orgranic/ eco-friendly baby products

http://www.babysteals.com/
Daily deals on baby products

http://www.allmodernbaby.com/
Great source for unique baby items, ship to Canada!

http://www.boomersandechoes.com/
Great new/ used kids store including maternity, in North Van

http://www.tjskids.com/
BC kids store has huge selection and great sales, check out specials page frequently!
http://kellymom.com/
Lactation consultant with great advice/resources on parenting

http://www.fit4two.ca/
Mama baby fitness classes and infant massage (highly recommend!)
http://www.shitmykidsruined.com/
Hilarious!
http://canada.zappos.com/kids.zhtml
Kids shoes and some for you too!


http://www.angelfaceprints.com/
Great local graphic designer for affordable birth announcements, Christmas cards etc.

http://lapetitemag.com/
Cool mag!

http://www.rompbklyn.com/
Nice baby/child products
http://www.etsy.com/
Awesome source of handmade art from around the world (I bought wall tattoos)