A Babies perspective

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A Baby's Perspective on Sleep Training...

OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 7 months. The first few months were great--I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened.

Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night).

At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've

talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mommies

have had us for around 6 months.

Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a

habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it

anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.

It goes like this:

Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard

to see your Mommy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's

for her own good.

Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed.

Night 3--every hour.

Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights.

Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies

may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot

stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!!

If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it

every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she

is just resisting the change.

If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10

minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall

asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake

for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it. Last night, I cried every

hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it.

BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with.

My sleep sack tickled my foot.

I felt a wrinkle under the sheet.

My mobile made a shadow on the wall.

I burped, and it tasted like pears (I hadn't eaten pears since lunch -

what's up with that?)

The dog said "woof" (I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20

times a day. LOL.)

Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the

monitor in the other room.

Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!!

It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is

3:30am.

You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset

your Mommies' internal clocks.

P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on

them, NO milk will come out! Trust me