Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Sleep

I have never before realized how much sleep, or lack of sleep, can cause a whole world to be turned upside down. Vera was a sleeper. I don't remember the exact age at which she slept through the night, but it was early on and she has loved sleeping ever since. Even when she gave up naps we could handle it because she sleeps from 7 at night to around 6:30ish in the morning.

Keller is a whole new ballgame and I am having trouble playing. He has these days where he will wake up twice at 10pm and 4am. These are his GOOD days and I think that the world has changed and that he is starting to improve and there is a light at the end of tunnel. In other words, I can function during the day and not get too irritated with my toddler. Then, after 3 or 4 of these days he backtracks and we are up 4-5 times a night instead. Three night ago there was definitely a reason...damn gassy broccoli. Two nights ago there was no reason for his restlessness. He ate solid food 3 times during the day and a lot of it. He had a snack in between meals AND he still nursed 5 times. He is getting plenty of food.

My current plan is to read as many books as I can to see what sleep system will work best for him. Yesterday I read a book that promises that your child will sleep 12 hours straight. Here is a catch and I don't know why it is throwing me. The systems requires that you feed the child four times throughout the day. Sounds easy, right? Well, when I take in Vera's and my eating schedule, it is hard to have him eating at those four hour intervals. Plus, and I know that many would say this is bad, I nurse him to sleep for naps. It is a little for him and a lot for me. I love to watch him as he nurses and falls asleep.

There is my rant about sleep. I have hopes again that he is improving, as last night he was only up twice. Fingers crossed!


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