Month: April 2006

Drastic Measures

Austen is happy, healthy, active and developmentally advanced. Her one issue: sleep … in particular, self-soothing and falling asleep on her own.

After Austen got up 8 times in one night (eating a total of 20 ounces during 6 of those wakings), Mommy and Daddy decided they must take drastic measures.

1) Austen has moved out of her bassinet in Mommy and Daddy’s room and into the crib in her room.

2) Her bedtime is set at 8:30 instead of 10pm.

3) After her goodnight ritual (eating, bathing, singing) Austen must stay in her bed until 1am when she’s picked up for her ONE AND ONLY nighttime feeding.

4) Austen is allowed to cry for 5 minutes, after which Mommy or Daddy go in to soothe her with back pats and lullabies.

Thus far, Austen is thriving on this new system. She’s happy and active during daytime hours. It’s been a little difficult for Mommy and Daddy to listen to strong-lunged Austen’s five-minute crying sessions – so far she’s up to three in a row — but otherwise Mommy and Daddy are feeling more rested. Austen is still waking up every few hours but is easily soothed back to sleep, and hopefully she will eventually cut down on these waking since she’s not being lulled to sleep with milk.