X was such a great sleeper the night before Mother's Day, and napped well during the day, too. It was like he was giving me the gift of his sleeping well, since that's about as much as he could do for me at 8 months old!
Then, on Sunday night, he started to cut his first tooth. I am assured that the tooth was not the actual cause of his waking up, but it may have been why he wasn't able to get himself back to sleep on his own. My husband and/or I woke up with X about every two hours that night, and ended up rocking him back to sleep each time.
This pattern persisted pretty much every night for the week. X was getting overtired, to the point that he had his first temper tantrum when a ball was taken away from him by another baby at his sitter's house. The sitter said she couldn't believe the volume and the length of the tantrum! This was a sure sign that X was not getting the sleep he needs.
On Friday, it all came to a head. My husband and I were the walking dead, X was grouchy and irritable. Heck, we were all grouchy and irritable. It was time to cry it out.
Listening to my baby cry for 30 minutes was no treat, let me tell you. My whole system was going crazy -- adrenaline pumping, heart racing. My goodness, I just HAD to go and pick him up! But, with the support of my husband, we just let X cry. And then, suddenly, the wailing stopped and X was asleep.
Today, he has napped like a champion. An hour and a half this morning, and, as I type, going on two hours this afternoon. I just put him in his crib and told him it was nap time, then left the room. Sure, he fussed for about 10 minutes each time, but eventually just went to sleep.
I think we might be on to something. Let's hope it hasn't just been a fluke!
Showing posts with label crying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crying. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Bath Time
Sometimes I feel neglectful that I don't bathe X more than once a week. I worry that his skin will get too dry, and he has had little patches of very dry skin through the winter, that I slather with Aquaphor. But then, he doesn't get very dirty (yet) and he is wipe-able, after all!
X hated baths for about the first four weeks of his life. He screamed through his first bath in the hospital, when the lovely volunteer lady showed us how to do it. He SCREAMED at home, when my husband and I were brave enough to try it on our own. His agitation made me jumpy, and his anxiety fed off of my own.
Then, we watched a video by Tracy Hogg (aka The Baby Whisperer), and the bath part of the video made it all worth it. The most important thing I learned was to slow down and help X enjoy the bath.
I approached the next bath with much trepidation. I started a lullaby CD, hoping the music would set a relaxing tone. I made sure the water was the right temperature. I let X test the water with his feet before I put him in his little bath tub. I went slowly, taking my time. And, to my delight, X totally dug it. He smiled, kicked his feet, splashed his hands. He didn't cry when I poured the water over his head after washing his hair. He was quiet and alert when I wrapped him up in his towel, smiling as I rubbed his head and brushed his hair.
Even now, while his baths are so infrequent, he knows what's coming when he hears the music and the water running, filling up the tub. He laughs and splashes, and cries when it is time to get out of the bath. A little gentleness has gone a long way.
Before I know it, we'll be making bubble mohawks and having dinosaur versus boat races. Then, before I know it, baths will once again become the enemy. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the splashing and laughing.
X hated baths for about the first four weeks of his life. He screamed through his first bath in the hospital, when the lovely volunteer lady showed us how to do it. He SCREAMED at home, when my husband and I were brave enough to try it on our own. His agitation made me jumpy, and his anxiety fed off of my own.
Then, we watched a video by Tracy Hogg (aka The Baby Whisperer), and the bath part of the video made it all worth it. The most important thing I learned was to slow down and help X enjoy the bath.
I approached the next bath with much trepidation. I started a lullaby CD, hoping the music would set a relaxing tone. I made sure the water was the right temperature. I let X test the water with his feet before I put him in his little bath tub. I went slowly, taking my time. And, to my delight, X totally dug it. He smiled, kicked his feet, splashed his hands. He didn't cry when I poured the water over his head after washing his hair. He was quiet and alert when I wrapped him up in his towel, smiling as I rubbed his head and brushed his hair.
Even now, while his baths are so infrequent, he knows what's coming when he hears the music and the water running, filling up the tub. He laughs and splashes, and cries when it is time to get out of the bath. A little gentleness has gone a long way.
Before I know it, we'll be making bubble mohawks and having dinosaur versus boat races. Then, before I know it, baths will once again become the enemy. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the splashing and laughing.