Ferber Method - Step Two

Eventually, at 10:30 last night, I got the baby to fall asleep. We tried crying it out for 45 minutes, and finally I fed him since the pediatrician had said that after 30 minutes, you could go ahead.

Baby: (hiccoughing) Why did you make me cry so long? Didn’t you know I needed you?

Me: Fine. Nurse if that’s what you need. But I’m really really tired.

Baby: You know all of this would go away if you’d just strap me to your chest 24-7. We’d both be happy.

Me: Um, not exactly what I’m looking for. Independent sleep, sweetie. That’s the goal here.

Baby: Well, just realize that I’m going to wake you up in three hours. Enjoy that small bit of sleep because that’s all you’re going to get. Ferberize me, will you? Well, we’ll just see about that.

2:00 a.m. last night (Baby cries)

Me: Okay. We’ll wait a few minutes and then I’ll go comfort him. Without picking him up.

Baby: Get in here! I’m hungry!

Me: (at 2:10 a.m.) It’s okay. You’re fine. Here, have a pacifier.

Baby: I don’t WANT a pacifier! I want YOUUUUUUUU… (bawls until a pacifier is jammed into his mouth)

Me: Night-night. (wait until 2:45. Baby screams and cries continuously. Note to other parents–closing both doors helps cut down on the noise factor. But you still can’t sleep through the crying.)

At 2:45, I went back into the nursery and fed the baby. Dang it, I was hoping he’d fall asleep after thirty minutes of crying. Not so much.

Baby: Where WERE you? I was getting hoarse. I need a cough drop, I think. Now get over here and FEED ME.

Me: Lord, you’re loud. Here. (snuggles baby, who sighs with relief)

And after all that, sadly I fell asleep with the baby in my arms. The idea of putting him back in his crib, only to go through all the crying again, was just exhausting. Yes, I am a wimp.

We’ll try again tonight.

The Ferber Method - Step One

I’m going to try the Ferber Method, aka Cry It Out, starting tonight. Deep breath. I fed the baby, swaddled him in his velcro swaddler, made sure he had a dry diaper, and laid him down in his crib with his pacifier. With a kiss good-night, and a cheerful, “Sleep tight, honey,” I closed the door to the nursery.

Oh, boy did he scream.

Baby: What the heck are you doing? You’re supposed to let me fall asleep in your arms! Don’t you know that I need to hear your heartbeat to sleep? You rock my world, Mom, what are you THINKING?

Me: Night, sweetie. No need to cry.

Baby: Of course I have to cry! How can you leave me like this? I neeeeeed you!

5 minutes later after fussing and sobbing…

Me: It’s okay. You’re fine. Here’s your pacifier. Good night, honey. (Baby stops crying as soon as he hears my voice)

Baby: You left me. For five whole minutes. How COULD you? Clearly, I am starving. You must not love me very much. Third child….bah!

Ten minutes later…

Me: You’re fine. No need to cry so hard. Really, you’re okay (rub baby’s head. He stops crying instantly). Go to sleep.

Baby: Don’t you know how terrible it is to be left alone like this? I’m scared. This crib is too big. You’re supposed to nurse me and love me and make it all better. Why won’t you pick me up?

Me: We’ll get through this.

Baby: Ha. You just wait. I can do this all night…

(To be continued)…

Baby Boot Camp

So, the pediatrician told me that Baby #3 is simply working me over and has learned exactly how to play his Mama. I thought as much. But still, you have to rule out all of the physiological symptoms. I asked about the excessive gas and burping, and she reminded me that six-month-olds are able to work that out on their own. I just have a baby who loves to nurse and snuggle. Every two hours.

She suggested Baby Boot Camp. Now, I know that means letting him cry it out. But I don’t think anyone ever realizes just how long those 20-30 minutes are. When you hear your child screaming at the top of his lungs, wondering why his mommy doesn’t come to hold him? Ack. I don’t look forward to it at all.

But, we turned a corner the last two nights. Although he’s been a pain in the neck getting him to go to bed, once he’s down, he’s been staying down until 2 or 3 a.m. instead of midnight. Last night I heard him whimper at 12:30 a.m., but I ignored him and thankfully he went back to sleep. We managed to get him to stay down until 3:00. I am hoping and praying that I can somehow get him to ease into a new pattern without having to do Baby Boot Camp. He is a seventeen pound porker, so there’s no reason he needs to wake up to nurse.

Here’s hoping for the best results!

Overheard Upstairs…

“Mom! (Sister)’s shin guards are stuck to her hair!”

(accompanied by bawling and howls of “Stop laughing at me!!”)

I will not laugh. I will not laugh. I will not laugh.

All is Well

Good news! The baby’s upper GI scan came back normal, so there’s nothing physiologically wrong. He’s been waking up about every 1-2 hours at night still, which has been brutal. I think the past two days has been a growth spurt since he chugged about 12 ounces of formula in an hour and a half yesterday. I went with my husband and son to visit the Air and Space Museum near Dulles, while the baby enjoyed Grandma Spoiling Time. She couldn’t believe how much he ate and amazingly he kept it all down. The sleeping habits were appalling, though, and hopefully I can get him back on track eventually.

I’ve been re-reading JR Ward’s Dark Lover, which has been fun to enjoy and to analyze. When you love an author, it’s natural to start picking things apart, looking at WHY a particular scene or particular character resonates. That, and she’s just a comfort read for me. I loooove Alpha men.

I’m also working on revisions to Wedded to the Enemy and am having fun with that. I typically hit a rough spot and work on a scene ad nauseum for days and days until it’s right, and then for whatever reason, usually the scenes after that are smooth sailing. Strange. But I’m making good progress and am balancing time with that along with plotting new things. I want to get back to my ideas for Ewan’s book, and Sweet Savage Sven (Viking book), as well as a new Regency series I’m cooking. I feel like my brain is a big old stove with lots of bubbling pots. It will be fun to pick one out to finish. The nice thing is, writing is never wasted. Even if I don’t end up using a particular story right away, often when I let it “cook” a little longer, I’ll find the right angle and it will come out even stronger than before.

Happy Memorial Day!

Food Allergies in Infants?

After another four days of the baby waking up every two hours, I’m beginning to wonder if this could be food allergies? Could the baby be lactose intolerant? I think when your brain cells have been zapped, you’re willing to try anything. My poor little turkey has been ripping out the gas like you wouldn’t believe. It’s what wakes him up screaming, again and again. I took him off most baby foods last week when he was tossing his cookies and he went back to exclusive nursing. He’s never had any food allergies before, but I’ve heard that these can develop out of the blue.

Have any of your children had food allergies? What were the symptoms?

So, a funny story for you. I had set out a bucket full of cleaning supplies in the laundry room for the woman I’ve hired to come and clean every two weeks (I still hear the angels rejoicing at the thought of a clean house. It totally rocks and WHY did I not do this sooner?). Anyway, my husband came back and saw the bucket. “What’s this for?” he asked. Before I could answer, six-year-old quipped, “For inspiration?”

Keep Good Thoughts

My darling little baby is still sick. It’s been six days and he’s still having issues with feeding. Now I’m wondering if this isn’t a stomach bug, but maybe is reflux-related. We’re all mystified. At least he’s keeping down most of his meals, aside from the projectile presents that happen once or twice a day.

Keep him in your thoughts, as we’ll probably end up doing an upper GI scan to see if there’s anything physiologically wrong.

Dear Mommy

Dear Mommy,

Now that Daddy is out of town for the week, I think you need to spend more time with me. I’m not in the mood to go to daycare today.

So, I was sick on Friday and Saturday. Did you notice that I wasn’t sick on Mother’s Day? I gave you a holiday. Now I want you back, so I’m going to get sick again. Wouldn’t you much rather stay home with me instead of teach?
***
I don’t know about you, but sick or not, this face is pretty darn cute.

My Babies

Don’t they look sweet and innocent in their matching polos? Let’s pray that ExorcistBaby is feeling better…And Pretty Girl has a new purse that she loves…

Happy Mother’s Day!

Oooh, Baby Baby

So my husband is leaving town for the week, starting tomorrow. We’re celebrating Mother’s Day a little early. He bought me a gorgeous Double Knock-Out rose bush for the garden. My daughter gave me a homemade handprint card and photo. I’m waiting until tomorrow for my eldest’s homemade present. As for the baby? His present was extra special. He’s had the stomach flu for the past twenty-four hours, and the words Exorcist Baby come to mind. That, and Projectile. I think you get my drift.

I had kinda hoped for sleeping through the night. That would have been a nice gift. Nope, little sweetie decided that baptism by baby cereal was much more fun. Let’s see how many outfits we can go through during the day. And look how fast Mom can move, holding the baby at arms length!

But even so, I’m still glad to have my kids. They really do bless my life, and I feel lucky to have them. Projectile and all.