It's been nearly 6mths since I last wrote a blog, which highlights the sleep deprivation we've been inflicted with. Sleep is a natural thing yet it is so unnatural for lots of babies/toddlers/children and adults alike.
Earlier this mth Mia (18mths) stopped self settling for naps. We had quite a precious bedtime routine and it had to be done at a prescribed awake window to have the optimum chance for her to go to sleep on her own in her cot. But we had hit a speed bump... maybe the 18mth sleep regression. Who knows.
Anyway I decided to let her fall asleep in our bed after doing our usual book reading/flicking before her nap. The first day was a breeze and I transferred her into her cot asleep no dramas. I then decided not to transfer her into her cot once she'd fallen asleep. And then it was like a miracle.... suddenly she started sleeping an average of 20-40min longer than she'd done previously. She was consistently sleeping 2hrs for her nap which she'd never done before. But as a Mum, I felt sooooooo much more relaxed when it came to naptime. I didn't have to worry about our prescribed prenap routine and the awake window for reading in bed was a little looser. I felt amazing. But I was left wondering why I hadn't done this earlier!
Mia often goes to sleep with her hand or head on me. These moments are too beautiful to describe and too memorable to forget. While sleep training can be helpful in some situations, to a baby/toddler falling asleep in the arms of someone they love and trust must feel so special and safe. They can’t put into words how much it means to them but I bet it means the world. They wont always need to be cuddled or have us close by to go to sleep. One day it’ll be the last time they need our cuddles and closeness for it. And then it will be missed, possibly more by the parent than the child as the child may feel independent going to bed on their own whereas the parent may feel at a little loose end of what to do with their time.
Having someone fall asleep with their eyes locked on you.... priceless/
Earlier this mth Mia (18mths) stopped self settling for naps. We had quite a precious bedtime routine and it had to be done at a prescribed awake window to have the optimum chance for her to go to sleep on her own in her cot. But we had hit a speed bump... maybe the 18mth sleep regression. Who knows.
Anyway I decided to let her fall asleep in our bed after doing our usual book reading/flicking before her nap. The first day was a breeze and I transferred her into her cot asleep no dramas. I then decided not to transfer her into her cot once she'd fallen asleep. And then it was like a miracle.... suddenly she started sleeping an average of 20-40min longer than she'd done previously. She was consistently sleeping 2hrs for her nap which she'd never done before. But as a Mum, I felt sooooooo much more relaxed when it came to naptime. I didn't have to worry about our prescribed prenap routine and the awake window for reading in bed was a little looser. I felt amazing. But I was left wondering why I hadn't done this earlier!
Mia often goes to sleep with her hand or head on me. These moments are too beautiful to describe and too memorable to forget. While sleep training can be helpful in some situations, to a baby/toddler falling asleep in the arms of someone they love and trust must feel so special and safe. They can’t put into words how much it means to them but I bet it means the world. They wont always need to be cuddled or have us close by to go to sleep. One day it’ll be the last time they need our cuddles and closeness for it. And then it will be missed, possibly more by the parent than the child as the child may feel independent going to bed on their own whereas the parent may feel at a little loose end of what to do with their time.
Having someone fall asleep with their eyes locked on you.... priceless/