Sleep training is progressing. We've had some ups and downs. Last night it took Lumpyhead nearly an hour and a half to go to sleep (downer). Tonight it took just over an hour (eh). Naps remain erratic, difficult, and sometimes just don't happen (downer). Night wakings are still happening (downer) but don't last very long and Lumpyhead has been going right back to sleep (upper!).
I've read nearly all of Weissbluth and Ferber, and I'm now convinced that Lumpyhead's midnight to 10 am sleep schedule has created the night wakings. He's also probably chronically overtired.
Weissbluth says, "Going to bed too late and getting up too late seems to set the stage for frequent night waking." Wow. Way to get my attention, Dr. Marc. What's next? Is the child in one of your many blockquoted examples/stories named Lumpyhead?
And I was disheartened by the nap situation, but Weissbluth also says "during a retraining period, it's easiest to establish good night sleep and easier to establish regular morning naps than afternoon naps." So I'm feeling a little better. Plus, Lumpyhead is asleep right now, face down with his little rump in the air, and it's cute.
But I still think Weissbluth is an alarmist prick.
So I'm reluctantly resigning myself to the idea that Lumpyhead will soon be on a more conventional schedule (meaning asleep before I get home at night and awake at the ass-crack of dawn). Previously, I was adjusting all the sample schedules in the books by an hour or two, you know, because my baby is such a natural night owl. I also liked not having to race home from work to see my child, and I think Bump prefers not having to wake up at oh-dark-thirty.
No longer, it seems.
And if you think I'm bitter about the whole non-preferred parent role I've been assigned, wait until you see me after a week of getting home too late to see Lumpyhead at all. I'll really be bitter then. Or at least whiny and pouty and annoying.
Speaking of whiny and pouty and annoying, I have developed a stye on my right eye. In addition to making me whiny and pouty and annoying, it looks kinda creepy. No wonder Lumpyhead likes his daddy better.
3 comments:
Very warm moist compresses will get rid of the stye. Press them to the eye for 10-15 minute intervals.
La dra.'s job usually has her leaving the house by 7:30 a.m. and returning by 7:30 p.m. The Pumpkin's taken to waking between 6 and 7:30 (occasionally getting up after mommy has to leave, but not usually)--our schedule's evolved to be me getting up at 6 a.m. to get ready, then la dra. up at 6:30 to get ready, then hopefully babygirl's up so mommy can spend a half-hour with her over breakfast. Nighttime, she gets home at 7:30, we eat dinner together, then mommy and baby play till between 8:30 and 9, then bath-story-bed routine with mommy. Used to bother us, all our friends (SAHMs usually) telling us about kids going to bed at 7 or something and how earlier is healthier, blah blah blah. I don't know... I'm usually the one who's historically freaked out over Pumpkin not getting enough sleep according to all the books and websites, since I'm in charge of naps during the day... What time do you usually get home from work? Sorry it's so hard, for all of you. :(
Two things:
1. Didn't even notice your stye. Maybe I was too busy with the cousin and the baby.
2. You will find that the AM hours are wonderful, too. You may go to bed earlier, but you'll awaken to a truly happy boy--one who wants to play with Mom for an hour or so. I take my showers at night now to maximize train time.
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