is a little habit that we finally broke for little miss! Instead of getting her yummy bottle (not actually icecream) at 2am, Maddie's finally sleeping through the night! It took almost 21 months for this to happen but as soon as she was weaned from her bottle and I quit getting up with her with every peep she made, she did it! I have hesitated to post about this since I had some doubts it would be a success but we're going on two weeks, so I'm crossing my fingers this is our new norm. Maddie still sleeps 6 steps from our bed in her crib in the little nursery nook (due to lack of bedrooms in our home) so I thought it would be nearly impossible for her. Naps are still a hurdle, the girl hates to sleep in a room by herself and throws some major fits. Boy is it going to be a rude awakening when she has her own room someday soon and loses her two favorite roomies, mom and dad!
I was procrastinating on weaning her from her bottle since it was "drilled" into me from day 1 how important it was for her to have enough calories and keeping her hydrated is critical with her anatomy. For her first 6 months of life or so, I forced her to eat and worked so hard to get her to the point of wanting to take her bottle. She went from an NG tube, to bottle feeding only an ounce at a time 24/7, and I kept a record of every ounce she ate until she was 10 months old! Yes, I've made some progress. But by about 8 months old, she started liking her bottles and we finally were having success. She was gaining well and enjoyed eating, her reflux was minimal and feeding her wasn't a battle like it had been. As weird as it sounds, I've actually loved getting up with her every night, it was our cuddle, quiet, alone time together and I felt reassured with getting a few more ounces in her this way. I was also convinced she was a better eater while drowsy and it was my security blanket and hers.
BUT...at her 18 mo. visit, her pediatrician mentioned getting her weaned ASAP as well as no more "social hour with mom" in the middle of the night. The habits we were creating were going to be tougher to break as she got older. I wasn't convinced yet to start this until we had our visit with her cardiologist. Dr. Vernon reiterated that she does not need a bottle anymore, she can take a sippy just fine and the last thing she needs is to still be getting up through the night. So, after crying to Bryan after leaving the office visit, we made the decision to "tough love" her though the night, starting that night. Amazingly, she actually just fussed a bit then went back to sleep! Every night since, she's slept through the night without waking up. No puking or crying herself into hysterics (she's great at this and has learned that if she pukes, she gets out of her crib. I know, very spoiled.)
I guess Maddie was more ready for this than me! So no more ice cream at midnight for our little love and I actually feel more rested these days. It's amazing how well you feel after having a full night's sleep...it's a good thing for all of us!
9 comments:
Katie, she isn't spoiled she is just loved. Garrett is almost 4 and I finally have him going to bed and falling asleep by himself. Terrible I know. Sleep is so precious though and we do whatever we have to, to get it sometimes. Maddie looks great and is getting so big. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with all your bundles of joy. Take Care, Randee
CONGRATS!!! I am thrilled for you all! I'm sure that full night sleep is great!
Yummm ice-cream at midnight, I bet I could even find some in Seattle! So glad your all sleeping though the night.
Way to go miss Maddie... and mommy! I know it's hard. I developed terrible habits with our first baby (heart healthy). I got up with her through out the night, gave her a bottle, rocked her back to sleep... for a long time! Now she's 5 and STILL wakes up in the middle of the night. I no longer give her a bottle and rock her back to sleep... lol... but because I didn't do what your doing now we all are paying for it! You'll be thanking yourself many times over and over as the years of full nights of sleep pass by! :)
Hugs and Happy Holidays!
Sundie
I'm so happy for you both! It's amazing how great you feel after a good nights rest. I almost forgot what it felt like!
Katie ~
You guys have jumped thru hoop after hoop & soared with flying colors...this shall be treated the same way! Congrats and enjoy your full nights sleep. I'm spoiled as my boys have both been great sleepers-thru the night by 3mos old. Maddie is adoreable as ever...enjoy the holiday season & best, best wishes in 2010.
Love you.
The Endicott's
I know exactly what you are talking about! (kind of) My husband and I are teetering back and forth what to do about the same thing. My daughter is only 6 months old but she is getting up every three hours still every night. Her pediatrician says let her cry through at least one feeding but it is so hard for me to part with those few extra ounces everyday after fighting to get them in her for the last 6 months!
Way to go Miss Maddie! It's always hard as a heart mom to let go of everything that has been drilled into your head, but she's seems to be doing very well, and I’m so happy to hear it!
A full nights sleep does do wonders, doesn't it?? I got one last night! Felt pretty great. These kids know how to play us.:) I nursed Willem till he was 22 months old! And got up with him every night so he could nurse. I too enjoyed the cuddle time and I was so scared to let him cry it out! But it only took two nights I think and the habit was broken. You are a great mom -- and your being willing to get up in the night for so long is just an example of you loving your job and your precious babies!! Cheers to all night sleeping!
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