Night Training: A.K.A. The Heartbreaker
I HATE listening to my children cry. It literally breaks my heart into a million pieces. With that being said, I am writing right now because I have to get my mind off of the fact that my sweet son is crying. Just look at that face! Who would want to hear that sweet face cry?
I am trying to Night Train him. Yes, after almost 11 months, I am finally taking a deep breath and trying to get him to sleep through the night. Maybe it has taken me so long because I have realized that the snuggling moments in the calm of the night are ones that are to be cherished. Maybe it is because he is my last baby. Or maybe it is because the other two before him wore me down. I don't know, but I just couldn't let go of snuggling with him while he drank a bottle at 2 a.m. in the morning. However, sleep deprivation finally made me cave.
There are many methods out there. Some claim that you should put them down, let them cry, and don't re-enter to sooth them. Some say they will grow out of it...my daughter didn't. She still comes into our bed most nights at 3 years old. (That is a whole other blog entirely) The best advice I got was to slowly wean them off of you. It, to me, is a more loving approach.
Here is the basics of it.
1. Put them to bed while they are still a little awake but definitely about to fall asleep.
2. Once they start crying wait 5 minutes. If they are still crying after 5 minutes, go in and sooth them to calm them down.
3. Once they are calm again, lay them down. Wait 10 minutes. If they are still crying after 10 minutes, go in and sooth them to calm them down.
Then 15 minutes, then 20 minutes...I am sure you get the picture.
I will warn you. If you are mush like I am, this is complete torture. Your heart will break. You may even cry yourself. But don't give in. Once you do, you have to start all over again. Trust me. I know from experience. This is not my first attempt with Brycen. The first few nights are the worst, but by the end of the week hopefully you have a baby sleeping through the night. Fingers Crossed.
Now, in no way do I claim to be a child expert on getting babies to sleep through the night. I also don't believe in doing this until they are at least 6 months old...but to each their own. I am, however, just sharing my journey and experiences, and what works for me.
I am trying to Night Train him. Yes, after almost 11 months, I am finally taking a deep breath and trying to get him to sleep through the night. Maybe it has taken me so long because I have realized that the snuggling moments in the calm of the night are ones that are to be cherished. Maybe it is because he is my last baby. Or maybe it is because the other two before him wore me down. I don't know, but I just couldn't let go of snuggling with him while he drank a bottle at 2 a.m. in the morning. However, sleep deprivation finally made me cave.
There are many methods out there. Some claim that you should put them down, let them cry, and don't re-enter to sooth them. Some say they will grow out of it...my daughter didn't. She still comes into our bed most nights at 3 years old. (That is a whole other blog entirely) The best advice I got was to slowly wean them off of you. It, to me, is a more loving approach.
Here is the basics of it.
1. Put them to bed while they are still a little awake but definitely about to fall asleep.
2. Once they start crying wait 5 minutes. If they are still crying after 5 minutes, go in and sooth them to calm them down.
3. Once they are calm again, lay them down. Wait 10 minutes. If they are still crying after 10 minutes, go in and sooth them to calm them down.
Then 15 minutes, then 20 minutes...I am sure you get the picture.
I will warn you. If you are mush like I am, this is complete torture. Your heart will break. You may even cry yourself. But don't give in. Once you do, you have to start all over again. Trust me. I know from experience. This is not my first attempt with Brycen. The first few nights are the worst, but by the end of the week hopefully you have a baby sleeping through the night. Fingers Crossed.
Now, in no way do I claim to be a child expert on getting babies to sleep through the night. I also don't believe in doing this until they are at least 6 months old...but to each their own. I am, however, just sharing my journey and experiences, and what works for me.
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