I think I’ve blocked out a lot of things over the years. Some intentionally, others no so intentionally, as a friend and mother of five so eloquently described, “I lost my mind once, then regained it again.” When my son was an infant, it was not fun trying to get him to fall asleep in his crib situated about three feet from our bed. Did I mention that we lived in a one-bedroom apartment at the time? He’d fall asleep in the infant carrier, so we’d lift him up ever so gently, and he would wake up and scream. We would position him perfectly on his side in the crib with those pediatrician-recommended pads. We’d rub his back, position the binky just so and he would drift off for about 30 seconds. Then he’d start to cry. Then cry some more. Then the wailing would begin. He was addicted to sleeping in his infant carrier. (And addicted to his binky, which is an entirely different story.) Had he kept up the carrier craze, it would have been not so pretty for many reasons. Namely, our pediatrician at the time said he needed to wear a helmet to prevent baby Calvin from having a flat head. Enough was enough. There was no reason for this nonsense. We were intelligent enough human beings. I gave birth after an ungodly amount of hours and my husband didn’t even pass out. Together, we could figure this out. We once tried putting him in bed with us, then carrying him to the crib, which kept him up for another hour or two. After several more nights of this, we tried something another couple had suggested, something I had read about but was afraid to try on my own. We let him cry it out for three nights in a row. Three more nights of agony worked. I’ve tried blocking out the part where I teach you why it worked. But my brain is a little fried. Bottom line: Baby Cal got it. He slept in his crib and did not need a helmet. Mommy mission accomplished, at least for a couple months until teething began.
Cry it out
17 Friday Feb 2012
Posted General Mommentary
in
my friend, sorry.
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Jeannine – I am exhausted just thinking about it all. You deserve a new mommy medal, y friend. I have a friend whose newborn is always asleep when I see her and he sleeps through the night. What I want to know is, where do these babies come from? Why are they so calm? And why do they have such small heads and my babies are born looking like giants?
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Hha, I always wonder where those ‘calm perfect sleeping without having to do anything’ babies come from. These certainly aren’t my children! I wish they were. I’ve taken care of a few like this before so I know they exist, but it seem so darn unfair to the rest of us! Many of these moms do not know how easy they’ve got it!
And we have the large head issue in my house too. My son has worn the same hat size as me since he was 3 years old. Freakishly big heads!
I’m a new fb follower from the mf hop. You can find me on fb at http://www.facebook.com/myBabySleepGuide
Thanks,
Rachel
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Thanks, Rachel. You made me laugh. I already feel better about my big-headed beauties. Active or not, they have grown to be awesome kids. I so appreciate your comments and your follow! I follow you too now..and left you a comment. Let’s stay in touch!
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Same here. I have not regained my sanity as of yet. My son, Finnegan, is a toddler, so I am still “in the weeds” so to speak. But luckily (for now) he is sleeping 10 hours a night. But the first year, I pretty much lost my mind. He had acid reflux and did not sleep for the first 6 months, cried all day and night, which in turn means that his parents did not sleep either. He would only sleep for any stretch of time in his carseat, and that is what he slept in for the first six months. We had him in his carseat and put the carseat in the crib. I did not care if he slept in that until he was 18 as long as he slept. In addition, we hired a night nanny when he was 3 months old. Let me tell you, this is the most beautiful invention in the world. She comes to your house at 10pm and stays until 7am. It is ridiculously expensive, but worth every penny. My husband and I slept for the first time in 6 weeks at that point. I recommend this to everyone.
So ladies, as we know, having children is not for the faint hearted. So, a big shout out to all of you wonderful ladies, just trying to keep it together and show up at a meeting without throw up on your back and with both shoes matching. Happy Friday!
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i’m still waiting to regain my mind 🙂
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🙂 I’m right there with you.
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