Do any of you have suggestions on ways that you moved your child from a part-time co-sleeping environment to their crib full-time?
Lee and I have enjoyed the special moments with our son cuddled (aka sprawled out) between us on our queen bed. But he's getting too big and there's just not enough room for the three of us – hence, the need to cut back on the “move to our room when you wake up in the middle of the night” or even “start out sleeping our our bed” deals that we have been cool with thus far.
Well, my little Sleep Ninja is not going down without a fight. Last night he cried for three hours.
For those of you who have decided that I am the worst mother ever (and you might be right on some accounts), please rest assured that we have a very loving bedtime routine (bath, brush, lots of books) and I stayed up the entire time he was crying and went in to check on him every so often.
The pitiful part is that it wasn't even a full blown cry most of the time. It was a fake cry. With “mommy” and “daddy” in the most sad tone known to man thrown in for good measure.
Well, you know what that little stinker did today to remind us where he belongs? He snuck over to his daddy's bedside table, found a yellow highlighter and made a mark on our white sheets EXACTLY WHERE HE USUALLY SLEEPS.
I am not joking – here is the evidence (look close)...
I know there are different theories out there on co-sleeping, letting baby cry it out and pretty much any choice you can make with your child. I am of the school that you have to do what works best for your family (within safety/legal considerations – such as not co-sleeping when you're on certain meds or if you're a heavy sleeper). Sleeping with Walker (at least part of the night) worked for us for a long time. And now it doesn't. So I'm going to have to be patient as I figure out a way to get him back in his bed all night.
*For those of you who are worried that I am traumatizing my child, he seems to be his loveable, kissy, huggy, secure self this morning – so I think we are good. I think he is just working hard to make his sleeping preference known:). And his strong will is one of the things I love most about him.
Here is a picture of Walker trying to hop into our bed after his bath. Sorry, buddy.
Well, there are lots of gentle ways to make the transition!
Have you ever tried co-sleeping, but not bedsharing (him in a pack-n-play or crib in your room)? Does he have a lovey of sorts (outside of his pacifier)? Does he put himself to sleep? Or do you have to rock or lay with him? Do you wash your sheets with a different detergent than his? Do you use a special body wash, or does Lee wear a certain aftershave that he's used to when you all get into bed and snuggle down?
I've found that Ari HATES a hard crib mattress. While we were on vacation, we made him a floor bed so I could put him down, then sneak off and enjoy the family for the rest of the night. It only worked two or three times - the rest of the time, I could put him in our bed and he'd pass right out. At home, I have to lay a fuzzy blanket down in his crib BEFORE I can put him down - the combination of cold sheets and the firmness of his mattress just tick him off. I enjoy bedsharing but man. We're 7 months into it (Calloway made the transition at 3 months with no problem) and I'm getting tired of it. So we start the night off with him in his own space and he ends up joining us between 1 & 3am.
I have ideas, but this post is long enough, with lotsa questions. I'll leave it right now and come back. :)
Posted by: Katie | June 18, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Rachee, the marker on the sheets should tell you he is VERY smart!! Don't let him get the best of the two of you. I can remember Ashley crying for hours when in her room. The real key!! Stick to your plan!! He will understand. Boundaries are a good thing. Good Luck. Your being a parent not a friend. Miss and love you all!!!
Posted by: kim robarts | June 18, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Sounds like your doing exactly what I would do. Just let him cry it out. Even though its super hard and 3 hours is a long time, but he is testing you! keep getting A+ on those tests by not giving in!!!! Little stinker was marking his territory!!! lol! Just so you wouldn't forget! :)
Posted by: Jeanne | June 18, 2010 at 07:39 PM
Hi Rachel - Random, but this is Tracy Kershaw from UK. I was editor of the Kernel when you were part of SGA. I found your blog through Angela Wethington ... she and I became friends when she lived in Dayton.
Okay, now that I've come out of the blog stalker closet, I'll give you my idea. What about moving him into a toddler/twin bed where you could go to his room and help him get to sleep? Make a big deal about his OWN new bed and he might be up for the change. We moved our son to a toddler bed at about 26 months, but I know lots of people do it earlier (or later).
Posted by: tracy | June 20, 2010 at 06:23 PM
Thank you so much to all of you for your encouragement and tips. The support of other moms menas so so so much. I gave it a break to pray and think through it, then tried putting him down in his crib three nights ago and he didn't stand up and cry. He just whimpered a bit (15 minutes or so), which I can handle. He slept through the entire night in his crib last night. I kinda missed him to be honest. Tracy - so great to hear from you and know that you read the blog. Do you have a blog?
Posted by: Rach | June 24, 2010 at 07:11 PM
Not really. We have one for our family, but unfortunately I'm terrible at posting!
Posted by: Tracy | July 01, 2010 at 03:47 AM
First love is only a little foolishness and a lot of curiosity.Do you think so?
Posted by: air jordans | July 16, 2010 at 11:11 PM