Since 1994, parents have been encouraged to rest our sleeping babes on there backs, and for the past 19 years, SIDS has decreased. Although, the amount of worry a parent has over their child has not seen that same decrease. I think about SIDS often. I worry at night that Eleanor is too hot, or the pacifier fell out of her mouth, forgetting to turn the fan on, or her getting wrapped up and suffocated by blankets, (here is a typical article trying to frighten parents, Wellness). Last week I woke up after sleeping for ten uninterrupted hours, I was panicked. In a split second I realized I had slept through the night without once getting up to pop a binkey back in Eleanor's mouth or pat her buns to reassure her back to sleep, I imagined the worst! I bolted out of bed, ran to her side, and found her peacefully sleeping.
When we brought Eleanor home, (going against the AAP) I knew I wanted to co-sleep. Wes was apprehensive at first (worrying he might roll onto her) but after a week, he was right on board with my decision. Night time nursing was convenient, Eleanor was rocked to sleep with our movement and comforted by our breathing patterns. She had been with me for ten months, I could just abandon her in a bed to herself.
I take pride in my swaddling abilities, around the first week, I discovered that Eleanor did not prefer being swaddled. this was my first realization that I had to adapt to her comforts. When she was two weeks old, I noticed her being restless at night. She would flail her arms in the air (typical newborn movements) and wake herself up. From birth, I placed her on her back for sleeping. I observed her for a few nights, each time she would fall asleep, she would stir and wake herself up. Finally, I placed her on her tummy to sleep. She has been a tummy sleeper since. At first, I was worried about SIDS. I was worried she would suffocate in her sleep. She never did.
I realize Im always going to worry about something. I have, and still am, learning to adapting to Eleanor, to efficiently recognize what makes my child comfortable and happy.
(Eleanor now sleeps in her bed :)...read here Goodnight)
When we brought Eleanor home, (going against the AAP) I knew I wanted to co-sleep. Wes was apprehensive at first (worrying he might roll onto her) but after a week, he was right on board with my decision. Night time nursing was convenient, Eleanor was rocked to sleep with our movement and comforted by our breathing patterns. She had been with me for ten months, I could just abandon her in a bed to herself.
I take pride in my swaddling abilities, around the first week, I discovered that Eleanor did not prefer being swaddled. this was my first realization that I had to adapt to her comforts. When she was two weeks old, I noticed her being restless at night. She would flail her arms in the air (typical newborn movements) and wake herself up. From birth, I placed her on her back for sleeping. I observed her for a few nights, each time she would fall asleep, she would stir and wake herself up. Finally, I placed her on her tummy to sleep. She has been a tummy sleeper since. At first, I was worried about SIDS. I was worried she would suffocate in her sleep. She never did.
I realize Im always going to worry about something. I have, and still am, learning to adapting to Eleanor, to efficiently recognize what makes my child comfortable and happy.
(Eleanor now sleeps in her bed :)...read here Goodnight)
Tonight, I captured this rare occasion of Eleanor back sleeping.
She has been cutting her first tooth for the past couple days
and passed out after twenty minutes of dental frustration.
She looks defeated. Poor girl.
She has been cutting her first tooth for the past couple days
and passed out after twenty minutes of dental frustration.
She looks defeated. Poor girl.
No comments:
Post a Comment