Jack, buddy, you're not sleeping well lately. Last night, you cried for an hour straight. And, I let you.
Now wait, it's not entirely as cruel as it sounds. Letting you cry is part of a sleep training method known as the Cry-it-Out Method or, more professionally, The Ferber Method - named after Dr. Ferber.
Who is Dr. Ferber? I don't know. But, he has this method, and it seems to work. Most of the time. Last night, you were definitely testing it out. The whole purpose is to get you to fall asleep on your own, without the aid of a clutch. Therefore, I go and check on you in timed intervals, but I do NOT attempt to soothe you - pick you up, rock you, feed you, etc. I just show my face, rub your belly, tell you you're fine, in an attempt to show you that I haven't left you in the house alone.
Last night, you were on to me. It was like we were playing a game of chicken. When I tried to rub your belly, you swatted my hand away as if to say, "Lady, if you're not going to pick me up then get out of my face."
I want you to know, little buddy, especially in case you are harboring deep-rooted feelings of abandonment that will resurface later on in life... this is NOT easy for me. In fact, it may be the hardest thing I have ever done. To put it simply, it's agonizing. Listening to you cry for 5 minutes sucks, let alone an hour. But, in my heart of hearts, I know that it is for the best. Especially when you wake up every morning with a huge smile on your face.
But, just in case you're reading this and you have issues, go find this man, or a living relative, and blame them:
Dr. Ferber
Good for you. It's heart breaking to listen to, but you'll thank yourself later. I'm excited to read that post too...
ReplyDeletei thought she'd never look at or love me again after the first night, but i'd never seen a bigger smile on her face. i am just NOT one of those people that can function or mother well without a decent amount of sleep. she doesn't STTN yet/still, but she's made significant improvements and i'll take it!
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