Sleep Training PT3

Hello Sleepless Mommys, Mothers-to-be, and everyone else who is just curious!

This mommy has a baby sleeping through the night. Yes you heard me correctly! All night! It wasn't an easy task but I am so glad I got her sleep trained!

As you saw in Part1 and Part2, sleep training is no easy task and I definitely should have started when Evelyn was a little younger. I bought the book Baby Wise to get a handle on things. I always thought the Cry It Out method didn't work, and I hated the idea of Evelyn sitting in her room screaming, well from what I personally got from Baby Wise is it all started with a schedule. Feedings at certain times, such as after her naps, a regular routine, and no giving in.

The 1st night I was up and prepared for her. We spent 2 hours up in the middle of the night and she did eventually go back to sleep without a bottle, I would calm her down and pat her belly and reassure her that she was just fine, lay her back down in her crib, give her the binkie, lay her blanket on her, turn the sound machine on and leave the room. I was doing this at least 5 or more times during the night to reassure her that I was still here but she wasn't going to get the bottle.. The next night was the same deal, up 2 hours and fell back asleep without a bottle. We did this for a good 3 days before I finally started to see some improvement.

On the 4th night I heard Evelyn fussing at around 5:30am, which was a lot later then the times I was waking up at with her, which was anywhere from 12 to 2 am. I decided to just listen and see if she'd just go back to sleep. Which she did.

We now give her anywhere from 8 to 10oz of formula at night, and she is now sleeping from 8pm to 7:30-8am.

Let me tell you Moms who are trying to sleep train, it sucks! It sucks to be up for hours at a time during the night, and I almost caved so many times. At the times I was so close to caving I told myself give it another hour, and then before that hour was even up Evelyn would fall asleep. Believe me it does not come easy, and I know I am lucky I didn't have to do this with Evelyn for longer then a week, but it was completely worth it! I wish I had done it sooner and believe me when we have baby #2 I will do it earlier. All baby's deserve there Momma's fully rested! and this is very much helping me with my weight loss! I no longer constantly feel like I need a soda pop or chocolate because I am getting a good nights sleep.