crying it out
Sometimes I have moments of clarity among my moments of uncertainty regarding the boys. I’m a huge researcher and am constantly trying to figure out how to “do this” parent thing. I am one of those people that wants an instruction booklet. So every now and then I know instinctually that it’s the time or way to do something. Yesterday I made the decision that it was time to teach Logan how to put himself to sleep.
He’s in a really good place right now… doesn’t seem to be dealing with the acid reflux any longer (discontinued the meds over the past few weeks and he’s fine), he’s eating cereal once a day, teething pain doesn’t seem to be really strong right now, all in all he’s a really sweet baby boy. So we are using the Ferber method, a “cry it out” method if you will. I have three goals: to get the boys to put themselves to sleep at night and for naps, to have them only sleeping in their cribs (Logan has been napping in the swing and sleeping at night in our bed a lot), the other is to get down to one feeding a night. Forest has naturally started putting himself down and is relatively easy about this. Logan however has required a lot of holding, bouncing, cuddling, and it’s becoming physically difficult to get him through this process.
Last night he cried for an hour when first put down. Interestingly enough it always takes us an hour anyway so this wasn’t much different. He also woke during the night at 12:30 and we decided to let him cry himself back to sleep again (but with visits from us) and not giving into his 3 hour wake up to eat. He goes upwards of 4 hours during the day when napping really well so I know that he doesn’t need to eat every 3 hours. I’m no longer allowing those long naps during the day in favor of an every 3 hour feeding schedule so that at night they can learn to sleep longer. This was harder as I started doubting myself and had to be reminded of the times he’s slept 4, 5, and even 7 hours straight without needing to eat. After the feeding at 1:30, we laid him down and after a few babbles and squacks he put himself down!
This morning he cried for 30 minutes before taking a 30 minute nap and just now he cried for less then 10 minutes before taking a 2 hour nap! He even woke up after about 45 minutes and was able to put himself back to sleep without even a peep. Third nap of the day was also a resounding success with only 10 minutes before drifting into sleep.
A few months ago I thought this would backfire on us with him but my instincts tell me he’s the perfect candidate. I think that this is going to make his life and ours a whole lot easier and better. With Brad and Dusty both out of town next week I have three days before my mom arrives and I couldn’t imagine how I was going to deal with the boys by myself. But now, it all seems plausible. I know a lot of people don’t believe in this method and I respect that. But with Logan and the way I had begun to feel, I am confident and happy with my choice.
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