Sleep skillz
So umm. What’s up. Not much is new here. I have been working on some blog posts in Word the last few nights because I’m trying something new with Clara and bedtime. We were still having issues with security and fear and hysterical crying and vomiting all over the place… so …. Yeah. That Columbus day blog just below this one…that time we were having the same types of issues but Clara was in a crib… so that changed how I was able to reteach sleep skills. Now she’s in her crib but with the side off. Ever since Spring Break we’ve been battling this because on vacation, we all slept together in the same room, which was her heart’s desire to continue. Ever since, she doesn’t fall asleep on her own. She has to have you sitting with her, rocking her, or just being there. Her pediatrician just says to let her cry. That would also be the most commonly given advice…but the vomiting…
Honestly, if she’s so terrified that she cries hysterically enough to vomit within 2 minutes and 28 second of being left alone, then perhaps Ferberizing her isn’t the route to go. So I decided to teach her sleep skills and give her confidence instead of fear and abandonment.
I’ve been sitting, first by her bed, then in her rocking chair, now in the hallway, with the door open, next up will be just inside my bedroom with both doors open, then on the foot of my bed, then fully in my bed. Each stage is 5 days or a week then moving back a little more. The beauty of sitting in the hallway and every stage after this one is that I can blog, browse the internet, or whatever on my computer for the 20 minutes it’s been taking her to fall soundly and securely to sleep. I don’t mind the time to reflect on the day and I’m really happy that I have found a way to help her go to sleep which doesn’t include me rocking her like a baby, nor her crying to the point of vomiting. She feels secure, loved, safe, confident, and capable. Yay.
