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Archive for the ‘Sleeping’ Category

BACK to Sleep

Posted in Firsts, Routine and Rituals, Sleeping on November 18, 2011| 1 Comment »

Sleeping.  Sleeping has always been the time in Bella’s day that scares the crap out of me.  Maybe because it’s the only time that Bella is really on her own and not being watched by anyone.  Maybe it’s because of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) that you read about in every baby how-to book.  Maybe it’s because they make SUCH a big deal nowadays about the “BACK to Sleep” campaign, to make sure the babies are put to sleep on their backs.  Whatever it is, I silently say a little prayer every night to keep our little lovey safe as she counts sheep and drifts off to sleep.  I did not carefully carry her around for 9 long months, give birth to her, fall instantly in love with her and vow to protect her forever for something to happen in that friggin crib!

Apparently the sleeping rules have changed since I was a baby.  My mom told me I was a belly sleeper and so was Keith.  Way back then, they thought babies would choke on their vomit if they slept on their backs.  I guess doctors weren’t aware that we DID have the ability to turn our heads if we needed throw up.  Doesn’t take a rocket scientist.  

Back, Schmack!

But, nowadays, we are unanimously coached that children must be placed on their backs when going to sleep.  It seems that they have decided that babies can’t breathe on their stomachs and since they don’t have much head/neck control, they risk suffocating on their sheets.  Again, assuming no ability to turn their heads sideways.  YIKES.  We were also told to put Bella to bed with absolutely NOTHING in the crib, except the fitted sheet.  So it’s a balancing act to find the right pajamas each night.  Wouldn’t want her to be cold – if she’s anything like Mommy, she will be a big comforter snuggler.  And definitely don’t want her getting too warm – another cause of SIDS.  You can’t have bumpers in the crib.  Apparently babies smother in them, too.  Better to bang their face off the crib bars with no padding ?  Guess so.  And God forbid you put a pacifier or toy in the crib to soothe your baby to sleep.  That would probably equal choke AND smother.  Why exactly do they sell baby blankets if you are not allowed to use them??  I have SO MANY cute ones!  The medical community and the retail community really need to get in synch!

Since Bella has been in her big girl crib, she has been a side sleeper.  I put her on her back, I tell her to stay there, but she doesn’t listen.  EVER.  She rolls immediately to her left side, puts her hands together in front of her face and curls up sideways.  If I try to roll her onto her back, it’s like wrestling a snake.  Fruitless.  So, we learned to live with it.  We  watch the video monitor (yes, of course we have the one with night vision) to make sure she is ok.  She actually does donuts throughout the night.  Many times we wake up during the night and find her facing the opposite direction or even sideways.  What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was this week when Keith handed me the monitor and said “LOOK”.  Our little rule breaker was on her BELLY!  I give up.  She sleeps how she is most comfortable.  She is happy and healthy.  We put nothing “smother-y” in the crib.  We put her on her back every night.  I can’t help it if she simply wants to do things her way.  I encourage her creativity!  And she obviously takes after her mommy.  At least there’s SOMETHING she got from ME!

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Separation Anxiety – Thanks, Dr. Amy!

Posted in Missing My Baby, Sleeping on October 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Today was Bella’s 4 month checkup.  I feel like it’s been so long since we had “Bella Stats” and I really look forward to seeing our baby’s progress.  When I was pregnant, we were checked all the time (they DO that to OLD moms).  When Bella first arrived, we were checked all the time (they DO that to SKINNY, EARLY babies).  I love seeing her grow.  But, we hadn’t been to the doctor since our 2 month visit and I was dying to see how my little chicken was measuring up.  

Dr. Amy asked HOW Bella has been sleeping and proudly, I told her she is “sleeping 8-9 hours each night.” As noted in my previous post, Bella is a good sleeper.  Yes, I brag, because I am actually getting decent nights sleep, too.  However, the only caveat is that her favorite place to sleep is her pink Fisher Price napper, right next to our bed.  It’s small, cozy and it even rocks.  And of course See-Hee The Seahorse can be velcro’d to the side.  We have been trying to wean her of the napper for weeks, (it has a weight limit) to no real avail.  We have several other sleep options in the room, too:  a cute bassinet on my side of the bed and an antique cradle on Keith’s side of the bed (thanks Kimmy!).  Our Master Bedroom looks like the Baby Bedding section in BabiesRUs exploded in it!!

We put Bella in the cradle or the bassinet at the start of a night, but we have yet to really make it through a whole night without slow grunts that turn to little cries and grow to a steady wail.  I admit, I am a softie, I can’t take it, I feel like she’s going to pass out from crying!  I pick her up from her alternate sleeping location, tuck her back into her “happy place” in her napper and Zzzzzzz!  Hard to argue with what works.

I digress…. Back to Dr. Amy.  She then asked us WHERE Bella was sleeping.  But, when I told her about all the locations, she asked why she wasn’t sleeping in her crib.  Well, DUH, Dr. Amy, because it is in the OTHER ROOM.  Really ?  She expects a 4-month old baby to sleep by herself ?  Actually, YES.  She told us we have to start now or it would just get progressively harder.  She said to let her cry, but only for 30 minutes.  Dr. Amy seems to think the transition would only take a couple of days.  But, but, but.. Doesn’t Bella need ME waking up to look at her, to make sure she is breathing, to make sure she isn’t too cold?

I feel like this is a HUGE milestone.  I barely even remember all of the beloved statistics I was looking for at this visit.  My ears were ringing and all I could hear over and over was “the OTHER ROOM”.  I don’t know who is going to have a harder time with this… Bella or ME?  Yes, I admit, it will be me.  Maybe we should wait to try this until next week… Or maybe when Bella’s 12 !

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