The Underground Baby Movement
As I said posts and posts ago, Finn had, unlike his mother, read all the baby books and knew what to do and when to do it.
Seems Tilly has been catching up on some reading too and more importantly, acting upon it.
A friend sent the following, warning me that our babies may have had access to a copy.......
OK, here's my situation.
My Mummy has had me for 6 months. The first few months were great--I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened. Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night).
At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mummies have had us for around 6 months. Here's the thing: these Mummies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit.
Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.
It goes like this:
Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mummy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own good.
Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed.
Night 3--every hour. Most Mummies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mummies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mamas may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!! If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change. If you have an especially alert Mama, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mama once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it. Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with.
My sleeping bag tickled my foot.
I felt a wrinkle under the sheet.
My mobile made a shadow on the wall.
I burped, and it tasted like pears (I hadn't eaten pears since lunch - what's up with that?)
The cat said "meow" (I should know. My Mummy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL.)
Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room.
Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!!
It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am.
Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am. You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mama's internal clock.
So, I searched Tilly's room and lo and behold, hidden inside her teddy, was a copy of this. Have destroyed it and several other How to Stay Awake and Drive Your Mama Insane propaganda leaflets. Am all for freedom of speech and encouraging Till to read, but sorry honey, this just isn't on.
Now, just need to find a Gina Ford book and photocopy a few pages......sure Tilly will find that enlightening............
Seems Tilly has been catching up on some reading too and more importantly, acting upon it.
A friend sent the following, warning me that our babies may have had access to a copy.......
OK, here's my situation.
My Mummy has had me for 6 months. The first few months were great--I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened. Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night).
At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mummies have had us for around 6 months. Here's the thing: these Mummies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit.
Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.
It goes like this:
Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mummy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own good.
Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed.
Night 3--every hour. Most Mummies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mummies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mamas may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!! If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change. If you have an especially alert Mama, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mama once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it. Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with.
My sleeping bag tickled my foot.
I felt a wrinkle under the sheet.
My mobile made a shadow on the wall.
I burped, and it tasted like pears (I hadn't eaten pears since lunch - what's up with that?)
The cat said "meow" (I should know. My Mummy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL.)
Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room.
Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!!
It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am.
Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am. You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mama's internal clock.
So, I searched Tilly's room and lo and behold, hidden inside her teddy, was a copy of this. Have destroyed it and several other How to Stay Awake and Drive Your Mama Insane propaganda leaflets. Am all for freedom of speech and encouraging Till to read, but sorry honey, this just isn't on.
Now, just need to find a Gina Ford book and photocopy a few pages......sure Tilly will find that enlightening............
posted by Sasha at 11:50 am
5 Comments:
PMSL! Oh honey! If you can keep your humour after all the sleepless nights you've been having then you're even more of a top girl than I thought possible. That was hilarious, precious Till will cry laughing when she reads that in a few years time!
Oooh - not looking forward to Zach joining that particular movement! xx
haha, I read this somewhere else and thought that my darling cherub G had read it too back in the day. But eventually he slept through (at 8 months), so there is hope yet for Tilly! Unfortunately, I think the new little guy is already trying to teach me a lesson (I am beginning to believe sleep is for the weak!) xx
Oh dear!! Tilly you have to let Mama sleep! She can't be worn out while looking after your energetic big bro.
Its amazing how little sleep you can function on isn't it? I think after a while you just get used to it. I feel more tired now than I did when both of these two weren't sleeping. What's that all about?!
I hope Tills gives you some sleep soon, Sasha.
Sadly none of the things Lou is snuggled up with on the settee, I knitted. Mum bought her the blanket for her dollies and the blue outfit on the other doll, Grandma made years ago. She gave the doll to Lou just after Christmas. I remember it from when I was little.
Nic
xx
Very very well written and funny but I really feel for you babes.
Def write that down and keep it for when she's older.
now wonder you're so slim with an active 2 yr old and zero sleep.
((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))
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