Saturday, January 31, 2009

Sleep through the night?


When did everyone's babies start sleeping through the night? Shane and I are just resigned to the fact that Oliver gets up at 1 or 3 and comes into bed at 5 or 6. It kind of works out because that is when I have to pee anyway (yay pregnancy!) but does sleeping through the night ever happen without tears? Could he maybe just start doing it on his own or does it always have to involve us letting him cry? If so, I suspect he will continue getting up twice a night, but if it keeps him happy, then we are happy too:)

6 comments:

Cindi said...

Oh, I LOVE LOVE that cute picture of Oliver!!! Not sure about sleeping business...my kids were not great...Nicole has a great book that I got her (worked for Ally), but I do think it involves crying (so sad). Zachary sleeps so great!

Cindi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erica said...

Ok this can be a touchy subject so, as for my advice--take it or leave it! Anyway, Noah slept all night at 6 weeks, completely insane and rarely heard of. Kara was 6 1/2 months when we finally got her out of our room and into a crib (she had been in the bassinet that long because she was so tiny). Elijah had to be in the basement with us in our new house until we finished our bedroom upstairs and when he went into the bdrm. with Noah, he was fine. Ethan wakes up once a night and we either ignore him or go in, pat his belly, kiss him and tuck him back in. Sometimes we give a bottle. I think it's best for the two of you (and him) if you let him cry but it has to be gradual. YES, he will cry like you've abandoned him, but you will eventually have your boy sleeping on his own. They cry like that because they KNOW the parent eventually comes. I do NOT think it's mean to let them cry..as long as they are not sick or hurt. In those cases, I snuggle them all night if I have to. By gradual, I mean, go in every 5 mins. for a few days, then every 10 mins., then start spacing it out as you go along. The books say to NOT pick the child up but just to go in and reassure and give kisses, etc. For me, I'd rather have a happy, sleeping-on-his-own baby than a happy baby, but with a Mommie and Daddy that are too tired to get through their day because I kept getting up with him. You want him to have a good sleep schedule or very soon you will literally be up ALL night with BOTH bee bees! :)

Ally said...

Zachary does sleep through the night and has for about 4 months. I do think that I have been a little lucky cause I really don't think that other than letting him fuss in bed for a while that we have really done anything special. He has been sleeping from 9-5 or 6 for more than a month now. I actually let him cry it out the other day for his nap. Cried for 30 minutes and then slept for an hour. Who knows...I think every kid is SO different and now that your Oliver is used to his great schedule, he might be unconvinced to change if you do it to quickly. It might take a lot of gradual changes over the next few months for him to not notice and just learn to do it on his own. But Jess, it is just so great to have them sleep with you too. Gosh, it is SO hard!

Anonymous said...

Do what works for your family Jess. There is no right or wrong here. Letting them cry works for some, but not others. FWIW Judah didn't start sleeping through until 2 and Delilah still wakes, but is easily resettled.

Jen Hallam said...

Bless you both as you continue to try and get Ollie to sleep well. And bless you both for making such an adorable baby boy. He is delish!