Time to practice what I preach around here. Which meant I had to crack down on Rhodes (and myself) and get some routine going on. So I started Rhodes on my own version of baby bootcamp - courtesy of Babywise. You see, I've always recommended this book for new moms. It worked miracles in my first 2 children. I strayed off the book for Lillian - and it shows. But it was time to jump back on the bandwagon I rave about so much.
So I pulled out my book the other day and reread it. And it spoke to me entirely differently than when I read it with Olivia!! So weird. But I'm sure it had to do with the experience in babies that I have under my belt now. 4th times the charm, huh.
As I re-read it I just kept thinking this makes SO much sense. Why am I killing myself over here trying to "wing it" and all I have to do is put a little effort in on my part and get things going a little smoother - if that's possible with 4 kids.
My biggest mistake I was making was not feeding Rhodes enough during the day. I would go 4 sometimes 5 hours in between feedings! Yikes - that's not good for a 9 week old. So we stepped it up to at the most 3 hours in between feedings during the day - until we get stabilized. And what would you know, he slept through the night (considered 7.5-8.5 hours) TWO nights in a row!!! I am a new woman! :-) His fussiness also decreased I might add.
Also, the way I'm helping to "force" (and I use that lightly) my routine/schedule is to WAKE UP THE SLEEPING BABY!!! Any way you have to - strip them down, wash them off...just get them awake! You see, the cycle should be FEED/WAKE/SLEEP....FEED/WAKE/SLEEP...etc. Then you slowly drop feedings and combine sleep and wake times until you have two consistent (then one) naps a day. This being done over the course of probably 18 months or so! It's called Parent Directed Feeding - and I (flexibly) watch the clock in order to FOR ME to decide when it's time to eat again. Crying is the last sign of hunger.
Then (hopefully) after a couple of weeks, Rhodes' little internal clock will start syncing with what I'm been working on and we will be on our way to a HAPPY and healthy little boy!
I know schedules, attachment parenting, etc are touchy subjects in the mommy world but I believe routine and (flexible) schedules build security for kids. Kids like predictability and they also NEED sleep!! Tired children are cranky children which makes for a chaotic, unhealthy household.
This is not a hyper-scheduling book. You will not starve your baby of food or attention by using the techniques this book talks about. What you will do is bring some predictability to you life and your family's daily life. And you will get your SLEEP!!! Can I hear an AMEN!!
Also, yes, I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule out there. I don't know why. But with each of my children - with each different temperaments, these techniques have worked. Well, Rhodes' is still up in the air, but I'm going to give it my all. But one day, HE WILL be on the 1:00-3:00 nap/rest time like the others! That's just part of being a McClellan!!!
Oh wow!! Where was this book 10 years ago when I needed it! Sounds like you are off to an awesome start! YAY! Hope you have a great weekend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSOOO true! :) I am super strict about feeding Joseph every 3 hours during the day and he does GREAT at night. I also look forward to the 2 naps per day. Right now he's still eating, playing for about an hour or so, and then sleeping until the next feeding. We've got the eat/wake/sleep thing down, but it will be GREAT when he's taking 2 long, consistent naps a day. :) He's a WAYYY easier baby then Josiah. I think that mostly has to do with his personality, but partly with me NOT doing "attachment parenting" with him. :) YAYYY Babywise!
ReplyDeleteOh Rachael...so glad you're a mom who has tried both and liked the babywise!! :-) Rhodes is doing MUCH better now that I'm a little more direct with the feedings....I don't know what took me so long to get with the program!! I mean...I'm a babywise fanatic!! :-)
ReplyDeleteBabywise works wonders! Andrew sleeps so many more hours a day than the other babies his age whose moms I've talked to, and I think that all has to do with him learning how to put himself to sleep and being on a flexibly strict schedule. And, you know, I think I first heard about Babywise from your blog, so thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteI use a version of this method as well and LOVE it. With my first, it was a little more difficult and I was more lax about it, and it SHOWS. But, with my 2nd, I stuck to my guns and the proof is in his predictability. Good luck to you, Rhodes and the rest of the adorable family.
ReplyDelete:)
I stressed myself out SOOOO much with Babywise with my first and it did not work so I always felt like a terrible mom who must be doing something wrong. It had made me want to take the "wing it" approach with this little one coming in Feb, but I think I will try again. I have since learned that my (still not walking) 21 month-old clearly has muscle tone issues that cause her motor delays and were probably the reason why she failed to gain weight unless she was nursed every 1-2 hours. She was too weak to take more than an ounce or two at a time unless she was bottle fed. So, that said, it doesn't work with every kid, but I'm hoping this next one is a little easier than my first and this schedule works!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Babywise!! It's the only book I've read for Mary Lynne and I can't complain one little bit - she's been sleeping through the night since she was 7 or 8 weeks! Go Rhodes, Go! I know it's got to be tough with 4 - hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI read this book probably 4 times before Will was even born. Several people had recommended it to me and after seeing what a great schedule their children were on, I bought in too. I was so nervous because I had no clue what to expect, so literally it was my bible for even the first few months Will was here. John says we should write the authors a check every month-It worked fabulous for Will. I have encountered VERY strong opinions about Babywise, but at the end of the day I have proof that it worked. Will was sleeping through the night (8-5) at 8 weeks old. It is all about those feedings at the same time during the day....filling them up so they can sleep soundly at night. I will definitely use it the next go round too. I know my friends, and even my mom, have thought I was crazy at times about Will's schedule, but I am the one that lives with him and this was what worked best for us!!!Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteAmen Sister. I'm on #2 with BabyWise and both babes were sleeping through the night (we're talking 7-8 hours) by week 9...the first at 6 1/2 weekds! He also now takes his afternoon nap with no fuss, heading upstairs on his own and goes to bed at night with minimal opposition ;).
ReplyDeleteWhoever said "don't wake a sleeping baby" did many moms a huge diservice, in my opinion!
Amen!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
Amen!
We LUV Babywise!!!!
YAY!!!! i wish i had re-read babywise before NOW!!! J-Doodle has ALWAYS been a good sleeper...but his schedule is still "predictably unpredictable"....With MAC i read it when he was 6 mo, i think...and the kid STILL wakes up @ 700!!! five years later;) i will definitely be re-reading it AGAIN before # 3 arrives...in 4.5 WEEKS!! ***gasp*** yay for rhodes!!
ReplyDeleteI just read this. I did it with Archer. Met tons of resistance with other moms around here. Schedule and Sleep make for a happy child.
ReplyDeleteI have recommended it to other Mom's. Some have read it, others not. You can tell a big difference in the children. So glad you wrote this post!
Hope all is well.
i heart babywise and already have it out for the new baby. and there ARE a lot of things you forget. i love that it not only sleep trains but really helps give them order throughout their day. children thrive on order.
ReplyDelete