Sleep Training

Luke has never been a good sleeper.  His naps are super short, & he wakes frequently during the night.  He doesn't know how to put himself back to sleep, and will cry everytime he wakes until we get up, put his pacifier back in, rock him, pat him on the back.....then repeat as needed (which is usually a lot).  He's never slept through the night, and wakes to eat every 2-3 hours.  There are some nights that he is up every hour.  It's exhausting, especially since he wakes for the day at 6 or 7 AM.  I just finished reading The Baby Whisperer, Baby Wise, & Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.  All 3 books stress the importance of sleep and a sleep schedule.  It's been pretty difficult so far, but we are really trying to get Luke on a better sleep schedule in hopes that it will not only help him to sleep through the night, but also make him a happier (less fussy) baby!

Today was a great day for sleep!  Brad put him down at 9 & he slept until 11.  He then ate, played, & was back down at 1 & slept until 3.  Next he took a 30 minute nap at 5:30, bath at 6:30, & in bed by 8.  He woke up crying a few times between 8 & 9 which is pretty normal for him.  Brad thinks the key to getting him to nap is letting him cry for a few minutes.  I've always been against the crying it out method, but it actually seems to be the only thing that works for him.  He was in a great mood today & I know it's because he got the sleep that he needed. 

Here are some pics of my happy baby today.

This was his 30 minute nap at 5:30 - I didn't want to put him in his bed since it was such a late nap so I just turned him on his side with his pacifier & he fell asleep



These are after his bath & bottle

I love this sweet little face - it melts my heart!!  He's so worth the sleepless nights!