Last night was Iyla's first time sleeping in her own room and her own crib. We had decided to start sleep training and couple it with a move to her room AND the removal of her swaddle. Big changes for our little lady!
In the past month or so Iyla's nighttime sleeping had regressed to getting up at LEAST 2x, if not 3-4/night. Sunday night took the cake- I nursed her at 11pm, was up with her from 2:30-3:30, up again at 4:30, then up for the day at 7. That sealed the deal to begin Sleep Camp 2013.
And Iyla did amazing.
I was dreading this all.day.long. At 7:30pm I nursed Iyla, put her in a sleep sack, sang to her, and put her down in the crib. She played & cooed for about 15 minutes, then the crying began. Admittedly I cried too as I watched on my monitor. Twenty-three long minutes later and she was OUT! I was expecting to have to endure much longer than that!
At 11pm she cried for 15 minutes and put herself back to sleep, at 2:45 I got up to nurse her, at 4:30 she cried for 10 minutes, then at 7:15 I checked my monitor and to my surprise she was already up- just rolling & playing in her crib. When BC and I went in to get her she was ALL smiles! Such a big girl.
I can already feel a new found sense of freedom with this transition. Last night I was able to do laundry and actually read in bed with the lights on! And this morning I followed suit with the sleep training & did a routine for her morning nap- nursed, sleep sack, sang, & laid her down- and miracle of miracles, she went RIGHT to sleep with no crying! That was almost an hour ago and she is still sleeping up there. I have gotten work done & was able to actually finish my breakfast. Up until now Iyla's naps were either in my arms or in her swing downstairs, so this is amazing stuff.
We are following the "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" book. The basic premise is that little ones often need help learning how to self soothe & put themselves back to sleep- and this is an important skill to learn to ensure they are well rested. Yes- it is also known as the infamous "cry it out" method, but I tell you what- our little girl was so well rested and happy this morning, I can already tell this was the right move for her at the right time. SO proud of our sweet Iyla Grace!
In the past month or so Iyla's nighttime sleeping had regressed to getting up at LEAST 2x, if not 3-4/night. Sunday night took the cake- I nursed her at 11pm, was up with her from 2:30-3:30, up again at 4:30, then up for the day at 7. That sealed the deal to begin Sleep Camp 2013.
And Iyla did amazing.
I was dreading this all.day.long. At 7:30pm I nursed Iyla, put her in a sleep sack, sang to her, and put her down in the crib. She played & cooed for about 15 minutes, then the crying began. Admittedly I cried too as I watched on my monitor. Twenty-three long minutes later and she was OUT! I was expecting to have to endure much longer than that!
At 11pm she cried for 15 minutes and put herself back to sleep, at 2:45 I got up to nurse her, at 4:30 she cried for 10 minutes, then at 7:15 I checked my monitor and to my surprise she was already up- just rolling & playing in her crib. When BC and I went in to get her she was ALL smiles! Such a big girl.
I can already feel a new found sense of freedom with this transition. Last night I was able to do laundry and actually read in bed with the lights on! And this morning I followed suit with the sleep training & did a routine for her morning nap- nursed, sleep sack, sang, & laid her down- and miracle of miracles, she went RIGHT to sleep with no crying! That was almost an hour ago and she is still sleeping up there. I have gotten work done & was able to actually finish my breakfast. Up until now Iyla's naps were either in my arms or in her swing downstairs, so this is amazing stuff.
We are following the "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" book. The basic premise is that little ones often need help learning how to self soothe & put themselves back to sleep- and this is an important skill to learn to ensure they are well rested. Yes- it is also known as the infamous "cry it out" method, but I tell you what- our little girl was so well rested and happy this morning, I can already tell this was the right move for her at the right time. SO proud of our sweet Iyla Grace!
This is the face of a happy, well rested little lady.
Yay Iyla!
Sleep training is the worst but it's so essential! Training your girl to self soothe is the best thing you can do for her. And more free time for you! I am now enjoying the same thing since my boys are going down so much easier at 6:30/7:00 pm. And with the sleep training they are sleeping more at night so now I'm less exhausted and can actually enjoy some of my evening free time without wanting to drop dead at 8:30. :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I am really loving having my evenings opened up. A new sense of freedom!
DeleteYay so glad this is working out so well right now!!!
ReplyDelete(I worded that strangely because I am learning to not ever believe that a good thing is permanent but instead to enjoy it in the moment haha)
I know EXACTLY what you are saying.. the minute you count on something and think it is the new 'thing' they change it up!
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