I am so pleased with Hannah

**sparks19** · 07-01-2008, 01:12 PM

Since Hannah came home I have been breaking this rule that is apparently set in stone and I must do it or I will have a child that won't sleep or something lol...

Anyway... I have always been guilty of snuggling her to sleep in my arms and then p utting her to bed. I figured as long as she was willing to cuddle with me I was going to cuddle with her and I couldn't have cared less about the future problems I might have lol.

She is starting to get a little difficult now when I snuggle her. she squirms and wiggles and laughs (she is trying to make me laugh) etc etc. she will only cuddle if she is REALLY tired. So I have started putting her in her crib to fall asleep in there.....

I just started this about a week ago and honestly..... WOW. From the first day I did it she never fussed at ALL. she played in her crib for about a half hour and then was out like a light. Now she only plays for about ten minutes and then she is out. but never fusses about being in there.

I am so glad she has taken so well to going to her crib to fall asleep. I'm so proud of her. she's growing up so fast. She needs me less and less everyday
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**Cataholic** · 07-01-2008, 01:33 PM

Not really sure I agree with the statement that she needs you less and less everyday...LOL

I slept with Jonah forever, he always fell asleep nursing, he slept in my bed, with me in there, without me in there, etc, probably most of his first 2 years. Now? He goes to sleep willingly without me, with me, in my bed, in his bed, etc, and he is 3.5! It has, IMO, everything to do with the child's personality, and nothing to do with these seemingly bad habits we create.

I say snuggle them all day long, twice on Sunday, and enjoy it while you can. It will change.

**caseysmom** · 07-01-2008, 01:52 PM

She will still need you trust me! I have a 15 and 17 year old, they need rides to work, rides to the mall, rides to movies, money for movies! I force out a hug here and there still. They need me to say "no, you can't do that" even more than they ever needed me.

My two were so different sleep wise, my youngest would take herself to bed, my oldest I had to stay with her and sneak out quietly.

**BitsyNaceyDog** · 07-01-2008, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by sparks19

Since Hannah came home I have been breaking this rule that is apparently set in stone and I must do it or I will have a child that won't sleep or something lol...

There is no such rule! Every child is different and every family needs to do what works best for them. I'm glad Hannah is doing so well, but please don't feel that you were 'breaking a rule' by cuddling her to sleep. We've co-slept with Nathan since the day he was born. I wouldn't have it any other way. Co-sleeping doesn't work for everyone, but it's what works for us.

**sparks19** · 07-01-2008, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by KBlaix

There is no such rule! Every child is different and every family needs to do what works best for them. I'm glad Hannah is doing so well, but please don't feel that you were 'breaking a rule' by cuddling her to sleep. We've co-slept with Nathan since the day he was born. I wouldn't have it any other way. Co-sleeping doesn't work for everyone, but it's what works for us.

Oh I definitely don't regret it or feel guilty for doing it. I can just recall all the people that would tell me how many problems I would have later when she has to fall asleep on her own (she has always slept in her own crib at night but would nap in my arms during the day). they act like it's some crime against nature lol.

**Sevaede** · 07-01-2008, 03:48 PM

Indeed, it's all about the personality.

My niece, Grace, will absolutely NOT fall asleep unless she is cuddled. Well, not so much any more (she is 3 and a half now), and very independent (ironically enough), so she is probably sleeping in her bed now. At any rate! It was pretty difficult to do things while carrying a sleeping baby.

**BitsyNaceyDog** · 07-02-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by sparks19

Oh I definitely don't regret it or feel guilty for doing it. I can just recall all the people that would tell me how many problems I would have later when she has to fall asleep on her own (she has always slept in her own crib at night but would nap in my arms during the day). they act like it's some crime against nature lol.

I know the kind of people you are talking about. I have a very "by the book" friend. Almost every time I see her she tells me how bad co-sleeping is. She tells me "we let our daughter cry it out in her crib, it's hard to listen to, but it's what you're suppose to do".

(Her daughter cried herself to sleep until she was 3, that's not what I want for my child.) I wouldn't be opposed to letting Nathan put himself to sleep in his crib if he went to sleep as nicely as Hannah does, I'm just not a fan of the cry it out method. In fact Nathan has a little "bed" in the living room he and he'll sometimes put him self down for a nap.

Originally Posted by Cataholic

Ah, pediatricians! Gotta love 'em- for MEDICAL advice that is...things like, sleep, nutrition, breastfeeding- go to someone that actually has the education to support their opinions.

That's one reason we love our pediatrician, he will not give out personal opinions, he's very good about only giving medical advise. He got called out of the office one time right before our appointment, we were asked if we wanted to see one of their other pediatricians or reschedule, we decided to see the other doctor. That was a mistake and we totally hated her! She was adamant that we have Nathan on 3 full solid meals a day, before he was 6 months old! Justin and I then made it clear that we would not see that doctor again as we did not agree with her ways at all.

**sparks19** · 07-01-2008, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by caseysmom

She will still need you trust me! I have a 15 and 17 year old, they need rides to work, rides to the mall, rides to movies, money for movies! I force out a hug here and there still. They need me to say "no, you can't do that" even more than they ever needed me.

My two were so different sleep wise, my youngest would take herself to bed, my oldest I had to stay with her and sneak out quietly.

I know she still needs me

it just seems like she is growing up so fast and before I know it she will be moving out and going to college lol. It seems like just yesterday she was this tiny little peanut that needed my help to even hold her head up... now I am just a clown to be laughed at and entertain her WHEN she decides she wants to be entertained and I am to leave her alone when she wants to do her own plaything lol

**caseysmom** · 07-01-2008, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by sparks19

I know she still needs me

it just seems like she is growing up so fast and before I know it she will be moving out and going to college lol. It seems like just yesterday she was this tiny little peanut that needed my help to even hold her head up... now I am just a clown to be laughed at and entertain her WHEN she decides she wants to be entertained and I am to leave her alone when she wants to do her own plaything lol

Well the thing is God has it all planned out, in his immininent grace he has given us the "teenage years", this has enabled us to let go, in fact it has allowed us to want them to get the heck out!

**sparks19** · 07-01-2008, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by caseysmom

Well the thing is God has it all planned out, in his immininent grace he has given us the "teenage years", this has enabled us to let go, in fact it has allowed us to want them to get the heck out!

LMFAO.... I am glad for the time being I still have many years to go before we enter the teen years

**sparks19** · 07-01-2008, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Cataholic

Not really sure I agree with the statement that she needs you less and less everyday...LOL

I slept with Jonah forever, he always fell asleep nursing, he slept in my bed, with me in there, without me in there, etc, probably most of his first 2 years. Now? He goes to sleep willingly without me, with me, in my bed, in his bed, etc, and he is 3.5! It has, IMO, everything to do with the child's personality, and nothing to do with these seemingly bad habits we create.

I say snuggle them all day long, twice on Sunday, and enjoy it while you can. It will change.

LOL I know she doesn't really need me less and less... but it sure feels that way sometimes haha. when she wants to feed herself her bottle and doesn't want me to hold it. when she doesn't want to snuggle to go to sleep. where has that little baby gone lol.

My friends pediatrician actually asks her if her daughter is falling asleep on her own in her own crib yet and keeps telling her she needs to start doing that. I'm so glad my ped never even asks let alone tells me that I can't snuggle Hannah to sleep without causing future problems lol.

I agree it is the personality of the child that makes the difference.

**Cataholic** · 07-02-2008, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by sparks19

My friends pediatrician actually asks her if her daughter is falling asleep on her own in her own crib yet and keeps telling her she needs to start doing that.

Ah, pediatricians! Gotta love 'em- for MEDICAL advice that is...things like, sleep, nutrition, breastfeeding- go to someone that actually has the education to support their opinions.