I have been reading countless blogs, books, recommendations on various "sleep training" ideas. At the end of the day, what did I choose? A mish mosh of them all, what works for us! I had trouble buying into the "crying it out method." Even a semi-crying-it-out method did not settle well with me, yet I did not want Baby K9 dependent on me for sleep either. I brought my thoughts to Officer K9, he seemed to agree with me. I am not sure if this was because what I said actually made sense or if he agreed because 4 nights a week (he works 3 on 3 off schedule) I am on putting baby to sleep duty by myself. In any case, he agreed. So I spent nights in prayer about what to do. In the end? Well, it seems to work out to be baby's feeding time at bedtime. It's just how the schedule rolls and quite honestly, I can't see weaning that time out. He is hungry, I'm not not going to feed him or stop him early. So he eats and sometimes falls right to sleep sometimes not. I then put him to bed and most often, he falls right to sleep. Sometimes though he fusses a bit, finds his thumb then goes right to sleep, and still sometimes he fusses alot, actually cries real tears and it tears at my motherly heart strings. I wait, I'd like to say I wait 10 minutes but I don't. I wait almost 10 though, that counts, right? Then I go in and will lay my hand gently on him. This works some of the time, but sometimes, well sometimes, this sweet little boy needs his momma's arms so she picks him up and cuddles with him so he falls asleep happy and peaceful.
He sleeps in his crib, in his room each night and at naptime. I do have him on an every 2 hour nap schedule and that seems to be working very well. He is tired by the 2 hour mark and usually falls right to sleep. If he wakes during the night, he puts himself back to sleep. Right now, his feeding seems to be about 11 p.m. then 4 a.m. (sometimes 5) then 7 or 8 a.m. He goes back to sleep after that feeding for another hour or two, yes! So that is our "sleep training." Most would say we are doing it wrong, but you know what? We are doing what works for us. At the end of all my praying what I realized is that if the worst thing in my life is that my baby needs a cuddle before bed from me or his daddy, well, there are worse things in life. If this little boy is 10 years old and he asks me to cuddle up next to him and read him a book to help him sleep, well guess what? I will say yes and nothing else will matter in that moment except that I took the time to show my baby love. This is what works for us, I truly believe each person has to find what works for them. There are things I have read that made sense and I can agree with, but there was not one way that worked completely. Each child is unique and special and deserves to be treated as such. How often do I call on Jesus to cuddle up with me to help comfort me? That's what daddys (and mommys) do.
I have registered us for MOPS in the fall, I'm excited and nervous. I don't know much about MOPS and have no expectations. I'm excited for Baby K9 to meet some friends his age and for mom to meet some new friends. I also found a swim class for him once he turns 6 months. I can't wait! Yet, I want the time to go very slow so I can savor every moment of these next few months! Next week my bestest friend, her 2 kids and her brother are heading this way for a week and we are taking them camping! Yikes! Camping with a 3 month old?!?! I know sounds crazy! Everyone swears it is easy and we will have a good time. We are not going too far from home, just in case we need to head back early, or late at night. I'm most worried about keeping him warm enough! The low is expected to be in the low 50's. I think I have decided on the following for sleeping: He will be in his play yard so on top of the pad I will put a thermamat then his sheet. Under the play yard I will lay a fleece blanket. For him, a long sleeve onesie, long pants, socks, footed sleep jammies (cotton, not fleece,) a fleece blanket sleeper, a flannel swaddle (he enjoys being half swaddled, not full) and a hat. He likes to suck his thumb so I can't cover his hands! What do you think? Warm enough, not warm enough? What have you done, if anything? Some have said to cover him with a blanket and lay one under him. I'll be honest, I am not comfortable putting a blanket in his crib. They are on every "no" list to protect against SIDS as they can easily suffocate them. Baby K9 wiggles around too much, I know he will end up under it! Plus, he enjoys grabbing the blankets and putting them over his face, I constantly have to watch him when I do give him one in his swing or car seat. So, any tips for camping in general with a 3 month old?
1John 4:14
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
