Hi, I am new to this group. Wish I would have joined months ago!!! my LO is 3.5 weeks old and doing great. Although, I am torn between the 'follow the baby method and setting a routine' approach. He seems to get up ever two to three hours. Typically the first stretch is 3 hours then the next two are either 1.5 to 2 hrs. I know this is pretty normal at this point, but i would ideally like to increase the stretches. Is setting up a bedtime routine going to foster the longevity of his sleep stretches? I have just let a daily routine evolve which works out pretty well. I did try the E.A.S.Y. approach for two days but it made LO fussy. He doesn't like to be woken up (but doesn't sleep too long of stretches druing the day) and he doesn't l ike to be kept up if he wants to fall asleep after a bf. Am I setting myself up for trouble by allowing him to fall asleep at the breast? As for a nightime routine, we just hang out in the family room till around 10ish, he falls asleep. We head up to bed and do a last feeding and I put him in the co-sleeper and he generally falls asleep just fine. This doesn't always happen at the same time every night and nothing is really intentional at this point. I am just confused as to whether or not I should be putting him 'to bed' alone and at a specific time, with a specific ritual every night? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Or please direct me to an article or other resource. TIA
Have you read Babywise? I know some people hate it, but it works wonders for a lot of people (including me and the other moms I know). You can always just read the chapter on how to establish your baby's routine and sleep/wake cycles. You definitely do not have to let your LO cry- I never did, wouldn't be able to. I just made sure she was getting full feedings and not snacking, and being sure she had wake time after eating. Not letting her go straight to sleep after feeding is really important. Even just keeping her awake for 5 minutes after eating will make a huge difference. But worth it! I know it's hard when they're young and so sleepy, but you will be so happy you kept her up for a few minutes after eating when she's sleeping through the night and you're both getting plenty of sleep. You'll both be much happier with good sleep! If you don't want to go get Babywise and read it I'd be happy to tell you the main points and the reason for them, and you can try it if you want. Just let me know! Good luck!
Hey Thanks for the reply. I will check out the book at the library. I have heard of it and can pick and choose what I think will work best for us. My main goal...a good night sleep!!!! ;o)
