Words from the Heart...
Baby sleep issues have always been the biggest challenge for first-time mums, as well as experienced ones. From newborn to infant, to toddler, every stage reveals a set of different sleep patterns.
All parents at any part of the world, wish that they have an angel baby (easy baby), who nurses and sleeps exactly on the dot, and wakes up happily, smiling. Unfortunately, this scenario would most probably exists in babies' first month of their lives. Second month onwards comes the challenge. If you have an easy baby on hand right now, stop reading this and read something else. *Blee*
When I first delivered, I imagined my baby to be one that would nurse and sleep beautifully. However, it was a far cry from the reality. She would not latch, neither would she sleep. She went "wah, wah, wah..." all the time in the ward. Yes! Right from birth my baby was already famous for her seemingly loud cries, that those nurses often would tell me "your baby has woken other babies..." Oops... I was down right embarrassed. Even the mother of the pregnant lady beside my bed (there was another patient in the same ward as me) asked if I needed help to ease the crying. I was already stressed out at the hospital, and worse things could be expected upon discharge.
Four years later, I delivered to my second child. Prior to the arrival of my baby, I was adamant to read up extensively on baby sleep and feeding issues, either through the Internet, books, forums, Facebook posts by friends. I believe that there has to be some way or another to survive through the uncertainties of a baby's sleep, and that I could not go through another round of sleep deprivation like my first.
My second child was very different from the first - she nursed and slept very well since birth. But, at the 3.5 month mark, her sleep pattern started to change drastically. She would no longer sleep longer spells during the day naps, or totally refuse to nap at all, she would also fight bedtime. She relied on a pacifier to sleep, and would remain in light sleep throughout as the pacifier drops out from her mouth several times. So, my spouse and I decided that we need to wean her off the pacifier at 2.5 month mark to prepare her for future self-settling.
For the first 3 to 4 nights, there were bouts of crying for hours. We went in regularly, like say, 10 mins interval, to check on her, if she is doing alright. Finally after a week, we saw improvements. She could sleep without a pacifier and no fuss at all. For a moment, we thought it was a breakthrough! We succeeded. Of course, things are not going to stop here. It is all the more important for us to persevere with the consistent routine - scheduled nap time, feed time, bath time and play time.
Our efforts paid off. Our little one is able to fall asleep on her own, and knows what to expect throughout the day. However, her sleep is always interrupted as she moves on to learning a new skill, or when she enters a new month of age. Thank goodness that as long as the consistency is still there, she can be easily tuned back to the usual routine. Now, she goes to dreamland happily and wakes up smiling too!
All parents at any part of the world, wish that they have an angel baby (easy baby), who nurses and sleeps exactly on the dot, and wakes up happily, smiling. Unfortunately, this scenario would most probably exists in babies' first month of their lives. Second month onwards comes the challenge. If you have an easy baby on hand right now, stop reading this and read something else. *Blee*
Eldest daughter, Levanne. A chubby one.
When I first delivered, I imagined my baby to be one that would nurse and sleep beautifully. However, it was a far cry from the reality. She would not latch, neither would she sleep. She went "wah, wah, wah..." all the time in the ward. Yes! Right from birth my baby was already famous for her seemingly loud cries, that those nurses often would tell me "your baby has woken other babies..." Oops... I was down right embarrassed. Even the mother of the pregnant lady beside my bed (there was another patient in the same ward as me) asked if I needed help to ease the crying. I was already stressed out at the hospital, and worse things could be expected upon discharge.
Four years later, I delivered to my second child. Prior to the arrival of my baby, I was adamant to read up extensively on baby sleep and feeding issues, either through the Internet, books, forums, Facebook posts by friends. I believe that there has to be some way or another to survive through the uncertainties of a baby's sleep, and that I could not go through another round of sleep deprivation like my first.
My second child was very different from the first - she nursed and slept very well since birth. But, at the 3.5 month mark, her sleep pattern started to change drastically. She would no longer sleep longer spells during the day naps, or totally refuse to nap at all, she would also fight bedtime. She relied on a pacifier to sleep, and would remain in light sleep throughout as the pacifier drops out from her mouth several times. So, my spouse and I decided that we need to wean her off the pacifier at 2.5 month mark to prepare her for future self-settling.
For the first 3 to 4 nights, there were bouts of crying for hours. We went in regularly, like say, 10 mins interval, to check on her, if she is doing alright. Finally after a week, we saw improvements. She could sleep without a pacifier and no fuss at all. For a moment, we thought it was a breakthrough! We succeeded. Of course, things are not going to stop here. It is all the more important for us to persevere with the consistent routine - scheduled nap time, feed time, bath time and play time.
Our efforts paid off. Our little one is able to fall asleep on her own, and knows what to expect throughout the day. However, her sleep is always interrupted as she moves on to learning a new skill, or when she enters a new month of age. Thank goodness that as long as the consistency is still there, she can be easily tuned back to the usual routine. Now, she goes to dreamland happily and wakes up smiling too!
Baby Gwen at 8.5 months old. A happy baby!
My spouse and myself were glad that we have decided to go ahead with sleep training, though many parents find it to be heart-breaking to hear the little one cry. When we evaluate the option (A) bear with the cries for 3-4 days and get improvements, or (B) continue with the use of pacifier and suffer from sleep deprivation, we chose the former. The child is ours and it is our right to choose what is best for her. No much amount of advice from others is going to make things right. Having said this, some parents have done extensive research on baby sleep, and know what and how to execute the various methods. But, what is holding them back? The thought to hear the child's relentless cries, the thought of leaving them in bed for lengthened amount of time, often are the reason of hesitation. In this case, experts' help can be good.
Here is a great site for parenting needs and advice:
http://singaporebaby.com/baby-sleep-experts-singapore/
A word of encouragement to parents struggling with baby sleep issues, go with your feeling, do what you think is best and right for your child, as a happy, well nutured child, would benefit for the entire life time.
All the best in the year of 2016!!!
Love,
Serene (mummy of 2)
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