Sleep Training is Not for Wimps

At around four months, my husband and I decided that JP need to learn to fall asleep in his crib. Since my son is in the 97th percentile in height and weight, it was becoming increasingly difficult to rock him to sleep every night. I would lay him in his crib and sit with him until he peacefully fell asleep. This was working pretty well until the first ear infection, then the second ear infection, then the Thanksgiving holidays, followed up by ear infection number three. Whatever routine we might have had was destroyed in a flurry of doctors visits, infant eye drops (infant torture), family gatherings, and holiday cheer.

About a week and a half ago as I tried to rock my 21 pounder to sleep onlyy to have it turn into a leg wrestling match. Hour after hour passed. Screaming ensued. Sobbing followed. To make matters worse, I had overnight guests who had front line seats to this homegrown cage match. I reallized something had to change.

I began my research. I read the Baby Whisper, the Sleep Lady, and all the doctors. I spoke with friends and realitives all who had opinions on the best way to help babies go to sleep and stay asleep. I ended up going with my own hodgepodge of all the methods. Since my son would not let me hold him, my husband and I would lay him down in his crib after bath, book, and prayer. We would then take turns looking in on him at 5 - 10 minute intervals. Shushing and patting when needed, but not picking the little man up unless hysterical. Here is a brief run down:

Night One: TWO hours, let me say it again, TWO hours of angry screaming, crying, and guilt. But little one slept through the night.

Night Two: One hour of angry screaming, crying, and guilt. This only seemed better because it was not two hours.

Night Three: 45 minutes of crying, occassionaly screaming, some guilt, and I kid you not, rasberries and leg kicking. This kid has a hundred tricks in which to fight sleep.

Night Four: 30 minutes of fussing, crying, ect. I began to realize that my son has a flair for the dramatic and that he really is not laying there in a pool of his own blood. All I had to do was to look over the crib and he would stop and giggle.

Nights Five to Seven: 20 minutes! (Whoo Hooo) And he only woke up twice! Sleep glorious sleep!

Night Eight: Humbling the Proud. It took 45 minutes -- this after a day of victorious nap taking. I have not spoken about the coinciding nap training that was going on at the same time -- it is just too painful.

So I sign off not knowing what the night holds, but praying for peace.