So if you recall a previous post, I explained that I needed to strap James down to get him to go to sleep. Like, in his swing, carseat, or stroller.
Well, while I was on vacation, and unable to fall back on my swing. . . I was forced to learn to rock my baby to sleep. And DAMN IT IS HARD TO DO, but it is possible, and it actually only takes 15 mins (unless he is in pain from teething, or not quite tired enough, or constipated, or he sneak pooed and I have yet to notice it or something, in which case it can take 30 mins or longer sometimes).
BUT for the most part, it can be done in 15 mins. But it's like . . .
5 mins in which the baby screams, thrashes, kicks his feet at you, scratches, bites, claws your eyes and mouth, cries, etc.
5 mins in which he does all of these things with less gusto, with moments of calm mixed in
5 mins in which he is calm and more and more appears to be asleep
I honestly wish I could have a video of this because it's really ridiculous.
And finally he is really asleep and it is possible to transfer him onto his side on a bed or in a pack and play, and then to sort of shake him there for a second, and finally you can leave.
So now having discovered this I am pleased to find myself developing more self-efficacy with getting him to sleep, in different locations and bed situations.
Now I rarely have to resort to crying-it-out, because I really did hate it . . . for over a month now we've been rocking our hearts out! Better than CIO, but it's still hard, and teething makes it worse. I need to do a whole (other) post on teething, too.
3 comments:
I'm glad to hear that you are finding a pattern that works for you. That's the funny thing about babies...don't get too attached to any one routine. It is certain to change!
I'm glad you've been able to rock him! I don't know what I'll do if she ever decides she won't nurse to sleep, eek! A couple times I think she's been over tired or not hungry and has screamed when I tried so I had to walk/pat her until she was calm and then feed her standing up rocking, but she always eventually takes the breast. Glad I have them hahaha.
Hi Adrienne! I miss hearing from you on the big scary internet so I thought I'd check in here. I'm so glad you can rock James David to sleep. Aisling goes into sensory overload in a rocking chair or even snuggling. We have to put her in her room, with ocean sounds, her binkie and a lovie. Then we leave her in a dark room which feels horrible for us but she goes right to sleep. I hope you and yours are doing well and look forward to your next update.
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