Sleeping habits

In the “No Cry Sleep Solution” the author recommends keeping a sleep log once every ten days.  Any more than that and she suggests you’ll just get disheartened by how erratic baby sleeping patterns are. Well, I don’t know if it actually counts as I don’t keep a formal sleep log but this evening was the first time I’ve successfully put Alby to bed on his bottle and in my own little mental ten day log, the progress has been nice and steady in the build up to this point. 

When I first reintroduced the bottle at bedtime I was met with quite the show of resistance – pushing the bottle away with his hands, turning his head and crying. A lot.  Very gradually he started to accept it.  

The routine involved bath, stories, bottle, sleep.  As he tired of his stories he started reaching out for his bottle which gave me great hope, but sleep would still only come via Mama.  But progress was made.  Initially it was just a short feed and then request for Mama.  Then I’d negotiate with him; he had to have two goes on the bottle before he could have Mama.  And then three goes on the bottle.  Even then however he would keep his eyes wide open when having his bottle, only heading into the land of nod when snuggled into Mama. 

Last night saw the first change.  In fact, had we not run out of milk I’m confident he would have settled that way.  As it is, this evening marks the first time since I shook up the routine that little man has snoozed off without me having to readjust my top. 

Once again I find myself the proud mother of a lovely little boy.  And this evening’s pride isn’t even concentrated on the new routine finally falling fully into place.  The real highlight of tonight happened as we started getting ready for bed.  Alby was playing in the living room and I asked if he wanted to come and get his bottle ready.  His arms were instantly outstretched for me to carry him into the kitchen.  Sitting on the counter he watched me pour the milk into the saucepan (nobody wants cold milk at bedtime).  Meanwhile he had grabbed the measuring spoon and was tugging at the packet of baby rice (I give a very faint nod to thickening the milk with a pathetic small scoop of rice).  He held the spoon out as I poured the rice in and then he tipped it into his bottle.  He picked up the ring which goes on top of the bottle and put it in place, then the teat and held the bottle as I screwed it all together.  Once the bottle was made I said “Do you want to say goodnight to Percy before your bath” and he flapped his arms and legs about like crazy.  Once on the floor he ran, actually ran, all the way to Percy’s bed where he lent over and gave Percy two kisses on the nose before charging off to the bottom of the stairs (empty milk carton still in hand) ready for bathtime. 

I’m not embellishing at all in this story.  There is no journalistic indulgence or generosity with the truth taking place.  I completely understand how unimpressive this probably sounds to anybody other than me, but to know that rational thought, understanding and compassion are all starting to develop in that little head is amazing.  I want so desperately for Mark to understand how much his son is growing up.  To understand that when he comes home, they will be able to do things together – actually together not just side by side or with Alby as an innocent bystander as has been the story for the past 16 months.

There is a little buddy waiting at home for daddy and I’m so excited about the adventures to be had when the two of them (and Percy) get back together next month.