sister lilian:no recipe for sleep

　
I Thought that Sister Lilian was going to give me the ultimate sleep recipe. Turns out-there is no such thing really.
Each babe is unique. Some babes have colic, some allergies, some had a dramatic entry into the world, some have a stressful home invironment and some are even diabetic- hence the drinking every hour.
I choose to believe that Hunter is not quite as bad a sleeper as some of the other babies at the workshop! Some wake up to 8 times per night!
See Hunter goes to bed at 6pm- and sleeps until 00;00. (So if she can go to bed at 8Pm- She would wake at 2Am). According to Sis L- 8 hours is the mark we should be aiming for. If sleeping through,according to many mums, is 7-7...YOURE LYING. Or your child is sick. Or underweight.
Where were we? Oh yes- Then she wakes every two hours for a few sips of milk. At 6am- Shes done sleeping for the night.
She gave me a few tips on how i can Possibly change this- even if just 30%
1-Acknowledge the problem- allergy? teething? is the mother stressed?(go to gym) did your babe have a dramatic birth experience? (this is usually solved through physio)
2-Dont disturb the Core sleep( 8-12). Unless you smell a pooh.
3- (this was our problem) NEVER PUT THEM TO SLEEP IN FRONT OF THE TV. You will receive a 50% improvement!
4- Dont be silent or close te door. Ihe feeling of abandonment may keep them awake.
5-Dont tell everyone how bad your baby sleeps (guilty again). Everyone will try to help and cause yu to stress even more.
6-Involve dad- No problem there- so blessed
7- Minimise effort at night. Pack everything next to your bed. You will learn to do things in your sleep- and not feel so tired the next day.
8- Dont clock watch- you will do much better not knowing how many times and at what time you woke up during the night. It already worked for me.
9- Relaxed mom- Relaxed baby.
She also gave the pro's of Co- sleeping
Leads to a strong bond, Feeling of belonging, ultimate touch therapy. Your baby will learn that you will always be there for her/him. Does wonders for prem babies.
Your baby can never get enough love and kisses.
They will sleep in their bed when they are ready.
Hunter is a co-sleeper.
Controlled crying is wrong because
In todays time, parents put the nursery at the end of the hall and let the babe cry it out and eventually fall asleep.
The baby falls asleep unhappy, and with a sense of abandonment. It makes sense to assume this baby will have abandonment issues at some stage in life.
Never leave a baby to cry. Hold her, Kiss her, Play her music, have a candle lit bath. Give her a sense of belonging.
Ironically- Its the one thing i havent done- Sleep training.Nothing is better than a mothers intuition.
A RECIPE WORTH TRYING:
5pm- walk with baby
5;30- physical games- incl dad
5;50- supper
6;10-bath
6;30-massage (another Very important thing: temples,between the brows, underneath the naval, between the nipples on the heart, the big toes)
6;45- quite play
7;00- story time and prayer time - even if baby does not understand
7;15- hugs and kisses and goodnight.
So basically- there are a few things i can change: i could take her to physio because she is prem and had a c-section. I can also get her tested for allergies- because she drinks a lot at night. I can also take her to bed with me and not leave her with dad downstairs (a good time to pull out that baby monitor). Also- take her to bed at 8, NOT 6.
Yes- lets try that for now.

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