I sit here before you a new(ish) woman!
Finally, my boy has managed to settle better during the night and today's naps have been spectacular. Now, I am not counting my chickens by any means. We are talking about one improved night and one good day. So what has been different?
I have taken the difficult decision to forget cuddling to sleep and try to encourage him to fall asleep by himself. It takes longer and requires the patient of a saint but the satisfaction of witnessing him drop off all on his own is more than worth it. In the middle of the night, I did not proffer my breast each time he woke up. If it had been three hours plus then I would give him some milk, but any less than that and he got the dummy, a stroke on the face and some comforting words along the lines of 'go to sleep now baby'. He did make some noise and he did wake my husband up but within a few minutes he was fast asleep again and I was able to return to bed and sleep! I probably managed around a total of six hours sleep last night. Only 4 months ago, this would have been considered a poor night's sleep for me. Now six hours, even if it is broken up by breastfeeding and settling, seems like a golden luxury! Oh how motherhood has changed my perspective!
I also should mention that I believe that my son is teething as he has been dribbling more than Wayne Rooney, chomping on his hand and his lower gum looks a little sore. With this in mind, I administered a dose of Calpol and half a sachet of Ashton & Parsons Powders last night. I also gave him the other half the sachet this morning. His drool has reduced significantly today. Only one bib used as opposed to the five sodden ones of yesterday!
Today, swimming has been my nap time saviour. He managed a quick 20 minute nap at 9:30 this morning and then fell asleep at half twelve while I was enjoying a coffee with my NCT friends in a local cafe. Unfortunately, I had to wake him to get him changed for swimming but he woke in a good mood, which was a relief. Back in the pushchair after swimming and he was asleep within fifteen minutes. Disappointingly, he woke only half an hour later but I put my thinking cap on and realised he must be hungry. After a 40 minute sleepy feed, he has returned to his nap and is still asleep.
This sleep time has made all the difference. More time for me to rest and achieve something beyond changing a nappy. I have baked a batch of muffins, washed up, sorted some washing, done some tidying and drank a hot cup of tea!
I wonder what it is about being in a swimming pool that tires us all out? I remember going swimming as a child and being starving afterwards. This afternoon, the only effort I have exerted is pulling my baby around the pool for half an hour but I now have that sleepy feeling. It is amazing that my son has had so much sleep this afternoon, this almost never happens! It is a fact alone which will see me returning to the pool every week!
The next dilemma is when to wake him. I mean, it is half four now and I guess if I am to start bedtime in a couple of hours time, I really do need him to have had some awake time first. I think I will give it another twenty minutes, and if he hasn't woken up by himself, I will shift him.
Oh! I spoke too soon - someone is stirring...
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