Attachment Parenting take...
...One...
Place: Our bed.
Time: Anne at 6 weeks old.
Scene: We tried to co-sleep with Anne starting at birth. For six weeks she slept in our bed, usually cuddled up in the crook of our arms. (After taking a SIDS training, I realize this wasn't the best position for her. Thank God, He is good.) The last few weeks co-sleeping meant Anne as far over and as close to John as possible or actually sleeping with him in another room so I could have my space. It ended after 3 days of me crying that I wanted my bed back but didn't want to deprive her of co-sleeping. We decided to try and put her in her bassinet and see what happened. She was the epitome of "sleeping like a baby" and has slept in her own bed every since.
...Two...
Place: Our bed.
Time: Anne-last month
Scene: I had been away all week long at a 40 hour training, which actually translated to about 60 hours away from her. I felt so bad about this, I insisted she sleep with us when the training finally ended. We cuddled, watched a movie, and like the amazing kid she is, she rolled over and fell asleep with no prompting. I awoke 2 hours later and asked John to take her back to her own bed because I was paralyzed with fear that I wouldn't be able to sleep. (I have chronic insomnia that at the moment is controlled.)
...Three...
Place: Our bed.
Time: 2 nights ago.
Scene: Anne has been struggling with going to sleep and has put up a terrible fit for the past 2 weeks whenever we try and lay her down. It is intense but brief so she's been sleeping in her own bed. When after 1 hour she still hadn't fallen asleep and had gone from playing to crying out "Mommy", I got her out. She snuggled with me on the couch, with the lights off watching a movie. We all migrated to the bed at 10pm where upon for the next 30 minutes she squirmed like a little monkey. Finally she was transported back to her bed where she cried and we decided to shut our door, turn the fan on full blast and sleep in ignorant bliss.
This last attempt at co-sleeping was the sweetest. I thought about her all night. Whenever I woke up, I wished she was sleeping with us. I couldn't get the thought of her little tiny toes kicking my back out of my mind. I got the extremely rare and wonderful treat of waking to her calling out "Mommy!" in an excited voice the next morning as John decided to bring her right to me because I had slept in. (Long story short, I get up before her and usually get her, crying, from her crib.) I've thought about this co-sleeping experience the entire past 2 days. Last night we went out on a date. The babysitter said she was crying so they were watching Elmo for the 3rd time. I told her to try putting her down again. When we were coming home, I was hoping with all my heart she was awake so we could all attempt the co-sleeping again, but alas my easy child was sleeping peacefully in her crib.
We'll see what the future holds for this Attachment parenting in mind but not action family.
About Me
- Atwood-Family of FIVE
- We are the Atwoods, Family of FIVE! John, April, Anne, Jamie, and Libby. Enjoy following our journeys as we figure out this life of marriage, children, family, and simple living.
3 comments:
You might get some good chances for co-sleeping when you switch Anne to a big-girl bed. We switched Elanor right around when Evan was born (she was right around age 2). We have a rule that no kids can sleep in our bed (for several reasons--sex and quality sleep included), but that does not apply to me sleeping in her bed! We still take naps together occasionally and every once-in-awhile fall asleep together while I tuck her in at night. [And I can leave while she's asleep if I have one of those paranoid-insomnia moments.]
That's true...when we switch her (we are hoping for this fall), she will go into a regular twin sized bed-not a toddler one. So I'm sure there will be lots of chances for co-sleeping there. Sweet. :)
Also, I'm wondering if maybe I just need to gradually get used to the idea of co-sleeping. We are not against her coming into our bed occasionally. Especially when she is older and might have a nightmare, feel sad, or daddy is out of town and I want some company in my bed. I hope that when that happens I will be able to have her in the bed.
We'll also see if a sidecar for when #2 comes along will allow us to co-sleep longer and more comfortably for all.
We co-slept with Lucas until about 18months off and on but wee got to a point where no one was getting good sleep. He started sleeping more in his crib than with us though around 10-11 months. Now he still sleeps with us if he is sick or gets up too early. We just transitioned him to a toddler bed so he can just come into our room if her wakes up, both a blessing and a curse.
Sounds like you like the concept of co-sleeping (the closeness, etc...) but just need your sleep. That is perfectly understandable. I think the side-car co-sleeper may be perfect for you. We didn't have one with Lucas but maybe will this time around. :) there is something so precious and comforting about snuggling your baby and hearing their soft, sweet breath. And it makes night nursing SO MUCH easier... :)
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