It started the beginning of December. At his four month check up he had gained not quit a pound. Being a little competitive I must say I was a little bummed! Well before I new it he was getting up all night long and eating me out of house and home. Ten days later he had already gained a pound and showed no signs of backing down. I knew that he was experiencing a growth spurt and I thought it would be short lived, so I rolled with it.
Then it was Ohio for nine days over Christmas. Many new faces, shorter naps, new beds and again... up three times every night. I thought that he wasn't feeling well, so again I nurtured it. (Later we decide he is partial to the gluten free/no cheese diet I had been faithful to the month before.)
Back home in Washington he has returned to his happier self, his poop is almost back to normal... but I'm still getting up three times a night. Granite, I realized the child won't sleep 11+ hours without waking to eat, but when the times become 1.5 hours between each other, I know that he doesn't need to eat.
I have tried letting him cry it out. But hello... have you meet his temper? He has never been very good at soothing himself, even since he has picked up sucking his fingers. I have even sent Doug in to get him thinking he won't associate him with eating and would nestle back down... nope.
I guess what I am struggling with most is what to do. My elders say 'rice cereal.' However, Doug and I both would rather not. And I don't know what my intuition is telling me. Partly that one feeding, two occasionally is suffice, but that three is tooooo many. And partly that this is what he needs or he wouldn't be asking for it.
I find it complicating yet empowering how we evolve in what we know and believe as people. This is then played out in our personal lives and for me now how I parent. Right now I sit with bags under my eyes, a hankie in my lab (Ohio travels, Christmas goodies & NO sleep = sniffles) and many questions running through my mind. But I am thankful and appreciative for the healthy, amazing gift that sleeps beautifully on the other side of the wall!
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4 comments:
Sophie did it too. Rice cereal made it worse (I think it hurt her belly). It always helped with her if I stayed away from milk products & gassy veggies. I don't think I had anything with milk for the first 6 months of her life. Then slowly added it back & she is fine. It is very tiresome to get up that much, but you will adjust eventually. Maybe try to pump enough that Doug could take over one feeding? Hope this helps & that it gets better soon! Much Love!
I am not sure if this is encouraging, but I can tell you I know what you are going through....my little guy doesn't soothe himself either very well and always woke up in the night. I tried letting him cry but he seemed to never give up so I thought he must be hungry. He is now 1 yr old and finally sleeping. Well this week he has, but next week you never know. It seems like right when you get a good schedule they are teething or get a cold or going through a growth spurt. People can tell you all these things but you have to do what you think is best. I just weaned him and am so sad, I miss those nights that the only person that could soothe him was me and he just loved that time with me too- I think! I know you don't want to treasure those moments cuz you are so tired but I think when you try all other options and nothing is working maybe you then you can treasure that moment when he falls asleep to you! It is hard though and very emotional, you can do it!!!
Do you think he could be teething? Wyatt started pulling that same thing...waking up 2-3 hrs during the night after he had been waking up usually only once or twice a night! He did that for about a month before he finally popped a tooth and the entire time I kept questioning if this was (how dreaded!) his new sleeping routine. Not sure if this is what's bothering Parker, but try to roll with it as much as possible and like Ann said, enjoy those sweet nighttime moments with Parker. They will be gone before you know it! Oh, after Wy popped his first tooth he went back his normal sleeping routine. Hang in there, I know the feeling!
Thanks ladies for the advise and support! We are free from gluten & milk and he loves it. Pumping is near impossible as he is now eating 24-7, I have none left! It is a combination of teething and being sick for sure. I just have to be patient and this too shall pass. Then like you all have said it will be on to the next thing! Thank you for being a shoulder! Love you all!!!
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