STTN

[Ladybug]

Re: STTN

I'm going to dig the noise machine out. It's...somewhere. She was sleeping fairly well until about a month ago, but I think she just emerged from that newborn, sleepy phase. Truth be told I haven't been very good about getting her into a routine. We're always in the car so the days have been inconsistent. The noise machine is a great suggestion. Thanks!

[SuzySunshine]

Re: STTN

Annie, I was talking to one of my friends about this exact topic today. Her third is 6 weeks older then Adele and also never had a schedule because they were always going to the older kids' activities. Her two older kids shared a room and were across the hall from the baby. She finally had to do the CIO and it didn't bother the older two at all, they didn't use a noise machine. So you might just try it...

Good luck - I'm still figuring out one, I can't imagine how this all works with more then one.

[Pollyanna]

Re: STTN

Yep, it's one of those things other moms don't tell you until you've had your third. Schedules are for children #1 and #2,children #3 and above simply learn to adapt. Our #3 and #4 were up until almost midnight last night (that would have never happened with the older kiddos).

Good luck Annie, FWIW Evangeline thinks bedtime is anywhere between 1 and 2 am, then she's up again at 4. We think she would make a great resident because apparently sleep is not a requirement for her.

[houseelf]

Re: STTN

Pollyanna wrote:

Yep, it's one of those things other moms don't tell you until you've had your third. Schedules are for children #1 and #2,children #3 and above simply learn to adapt. Our #3 and #4 were up until almost midnight last night (that would have never happened with the older kiddos).

:hijack:

I am currently reading The Baby Whisperer's newest book. While I generally like her, I honestly don't think I can stand one more parenting guide maligning "today's busy parents" for their lifestyles. Because I have a small masochistic streak, I've probably read dozens of these primers all of which essentially malign parents for the world in which we must exist. While her book is above average, she essentially chastises individuals for not taking the time or energy to conform a schedule around the baby's needs.

Oh, O.K. I'll just NOT take the older kids to school for a year and we'll cancel ALL outings until the baby is about four.

I want to see a parenting book which encourages parents to take care of themselves and to treat themselves kindly. Honestly, if I'm taking the time to purchase and read your book, my kids' needs are at least a priority. I don't need you to guilt me about the demands of the society in which I live.

:hijack: over.

Kelly

[Auspicious]

Re: STTN

I honestly don't think I can stand one more parenting guide maligning "today's busy parents" for their lifestyles.

Amen.

And on the sleeping front, I definitely asked myself "if Cora weren't an only/oldest child, would I even be considering doing all this to get her down every night?" and it definitely helped me make some decisions.

[HouseofWool]

Re: STTN

I honestly don't think I can stand one more parenting guide maligning "today's busy parents" for their lifestyles.

Amen.

And on the sleeping front, I definitely asked myself "if Cora weren't an only/oldest child, would I even be considering doing all this to get her down every night?" and it definitely helped me make some decisions.

Amen

Sophie only cat naps in the morning, noshing every freaking hour. (Why, yes, I am the human dairy bar, thank you very much.) At night, she sleeps okay, but the only way to get more than two hours is if I am holding her, then we might get three or four. Unfortunately, DH is vehamently opposed to co-sleeping.

Fortunately, I've been sleeping on the couch so he can have a decent night's sleep, and dang if sometimes we both don't fall asleep while I'm burping her.

I wonder if his opinion of co-sleeping would change if he were the one not sleeping all night long.

She also hates sleeping in her bed. I think it is the firm mattress that she doesn't like. She will sleep just fine if I lay her down on our bed and cover her with a light blanket, but won't sleep more than 20 minutes in her cradle. Hopefully it will change once we move her to the big crib. But due to space restrictions, this isn't likely to happen until after we move for residency. I'm not keen on putting her in with DS who is 6 at night. Although, I am thinking that maybe we should set up the big crib in his room to use during the daytime at least.

Re: STTN

I want to see a parenting book which encourages parents to take care of themselves and to treat themselves kindly. Honestly, if I'm taking the time to purchase and read your book, my kids' needs are at least a priority.

I liked Happiest Baby on the Block (or something like that). The author does make a point, on several occasions to talk about taking care of oneself and relationship.

It also helped me a TON with comforting a fussy babe.

re: white noise machine -- I used it to block out the noise of older sibs and parents getting ready for bed in a small house. It put an end to a 10-10:30 pm wake up.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: STTN

I used to swear by the "Healthy sleep habits, happy child" book, but with this baby I can't just drop everything to be home to put her down whenever she shows sleepy signs... Most days she falls asleep in the car seat on the way home from dropping off Luke- for Nap #1 and Nap #2 when we pick him up... I just take her out of the car seat, rock her for a little, and put her down in her crib. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't... I also can't put her to bed at 6:30, even if that's her *natural* sleep time at night... I'm usually at Cub Scouts or Basketball or just trying to get dinner ready at 6:30...

So, yes, I'm in total agreement with the general sentiment that sleep schedules and sleep predictability goes down the drain with child number 3 and above. No one has slept as well as my first, and she has horrible sleep habits now as a teenager, so don't fall into the trap of "if they don't learn to sleep well as an infant, they will always have sleep problems..."

I used to believe that one... Until I experienced all the sleep problems of DD1...

Re: STTN

Sophie only cat naps in the morning, noshing every freaking hour. (Why, yes, I am the human dairy bar, thank you very much.) At night, she sleeps okay, but the only way to get more than two hours is if I am holding her, then we might get three or four. Unfortunately, DH is vehamently opposed to co-sleeping.

Fortunately, I've been sleeping on the couch so he can have a decent night's sleep, and dang if sometimes we both don't fall asleep while I'm burping her.

I wonder if his opinion of co-sleeping would change if he were the one not sleeping all night long.

You're describing Mattie PERFECTLY. I was the one opposed to co-sleeping b/c my dh sleeps like he's dead, and with 6 (not exaggerating) pillows. We have a rocker/recliner in our bedroom, and I just throw the "wee" (that's what the boys call the foot of the recliner) up and we sleep on there.

She's sleeping MUCH better at night now -- started around 4 months -- in the mini-co-sleeper. I do give her a bottle of formula to try to power-load her before bed (she's breast fed otherwise). She'll generally sleep from 10 to 5 or 6, and we go back to sleep for 1 or 2 hours in the chair.

Daytime is still a total crap-shoot. There seems to be a teeny-tiny window where I can transfer her to her swing, but if it's not moving at the right pace, or if I had to fidget for the buckle, all bets are off, and she's up after 5 minutes.