I've mentioned before that Ainsley doesn't really sleep during the day. She's a champ at sleeping through the night already, for which we are extremely lucky and grateful. However, we feel like she should really be taking some naps during the day that do not require us to be holding her.
I've been reading this book and it has taught us that we should be keeping her wakefulness to one to two hours maximum. And I know now that when she starts yawning, she's getting tired and it's time to work on getting her to sleep. Usually, getting her to sleep is not a problem. But after we lay her down, she'll usually wake up once she shifts from her quiet sleep phase to her active sleep phase - which is only about 30 minutes - and sometimes she doesn't even sleep that long. I have tried to adhere to her "schedule". The problem with that is she doesn't seem to have one. And at the end of a bad sleep day, I feel like I'm being held hostage.
Where the book kind of confuses me is regarding naps. Most of it really addresses night sleep problems, which we aren't having. I'm not sure if I need to start sleep training her now (e.g., cry it out) or if this will work itself out soon.
So, I'm soliciting your advice. Any at all.
7 comments:
I've got no experience and, thus, no advice. I'm glad you're asking, though.
I was blessed with children who didn't really have sleep problems, especially during the day - but I am Pro-Cry-It-Out if you can stand it. She will learn to settle herself, and that's a good thing.
Hm. My daughter was the worst sleeper on earth and in all other matters she was and still is the perfect child. Seriously. I stopped trying to find out how she "should" sleep a long time ago.
I've heard friends describe their children do the same as Ainsley, and she may just not fit that mold of the 1 or 2 hour napper, content to nap without being held. Sorry, that's not true advice; just wanted to let you know you're not doing anything "wrong".
Put her on her stomach for naps. The doctors and probably everyone else will cry no, but Katie started doing that for Drew at nap time and he sleeps so much better on his tummy. At nap time you can check on her alot too, if that will make you feel better.
I agree with roller coaster teacher. Kids aren't all the same. We had good luck with the cry it out method, but then you may have less luck at night. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If it's any consolation, both my children had to be held to nap when they were newborns. When they were about 4mths old, they decided that they could nap on their own.
I am pro-cry-it-out. However, know when to throw in the white flag and go get her. To save your sanity and hers. Congratulations!
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