We started making Max sleep in his crib last Monday night-a week ago. I assumed it would be this awful struggle and I prepared for the worst. I was completely determined to steel my heart against his screams and just let him cry it out. Thanks to some encouragement from a good friend (THANK YOU KIM) and a very supportive husband we got down to business at 8pm.
Well-my fears were for no reason apparently, the entire past 7 nights have gone extremely well! We give him a bath after dinner, let him play after that until about 7:45 and then he gets to read 2 books, say night prayers, nurse (he only nurses at this time and when he is first waking up-but these are going to both be phased out but 18months), then I put him in his crib and close the curtain. Yes-curtain. The way our house is (all 800sq ft) requires us to have a curtain between our side of the room and Max's area. So-the first night I laid him down (always awake) he cried for about 10min and then curled up on a pillow and he was out! The rest of the week only got better-now we are at about 2mins of whimpering and then he hugs up to his pillow and goes to sleep. Granted, he does wake up at about midnight still, but mean ole mommy doesn't respond to his halfhearted cries to come to bed with us. I will say that I am still struggling to not go and at least reassure him that we still love him and it is all OK. Everyone I talk to tells me that, due to Max's personality, this just wouldn't work. It would simply fuel his fire and he would scream way longer. I tend to agree but that doesn't make it easier! So-for a week now he has slept from about 8:15pm to 5:45am in his own bed! Yay to a good nights rest! Hopefully I am not jinxxing it by talking about our success. Oh well-it was too good to not tell you about.
This photo was taken during naptime-hence the fully clothed boy-we do put him in PJ's for night time. We use the cry it out technique for naptime also-with basically the same response, less than 10mins of tears!
a) you are a brave woman for taking a pic of your sleeping boy!
ReplyDeleteb) YEA!!!!! Reading about the success made my day!
c) it never gets easier with the whimpering. Sam still wakes up 2-3 times a night crying JUST to make me feel guilty (granted, it only lasts 30 seconds, but still)
d) last night I caved to the crying- only resulted in more after I laid her back down...when will I learn?!
e) I gotta see the curtain set-up!
a) brave? probably more like stupid! I fell like I might need the evidence if we ever have another!
ReplyDeleteb)Glad to make your day!
c)So they really are just TRYING to make us feel like horrible, guilty moms? I had my suspicions.
d) I will cave one day-I know it! It will probably be the day I run out of chocolate-I tend to drown his tears in the delicious creamy delite! I am destined to be as big as a house by the time he is completely weaned! woe is me!
e) I will take pics tonight!