Monday, September 22, 2008
MOM ADVICE...
Ok all you moms that look at my blog...please help! I have a few issues I'm trying to figure out and need any advice I can get. First off, Jordan WILL NOT fall asleep on his own. He was doing pretty good for a few months there, but now it seems like nothing works. Either Mike or I end up rocking him to sleep....bad habit:( I try to let him cry it out, but after like 15-20 minutes I just feel terrible and rescue him. Should I let him cry longer? My next issue is within the past few days he's standing in his crib and chewing off all the paint (my pretty white crib looks like it's been through a washing machine). Even if I bought one of those covers to put on the front rail, he's been chewing all the way around the crib. Anyone having this issue? Any solutions? And lastly, Jordan is grinding his teeth constantly. I think he's going to grind them down to nothing. I have no idea what to do about that one. HELP PLEASE!
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5 comments:
Reyna chewed on her crib. I don't think that there is much you can do about it. We have the plastic chew preventor on the front, so she chewed the sides. She doesn't anymore, but did a lot when she was Jordan's age. Reyna will also grind her teeth now and then. Once again, both very normal. She will do it so she can get a reaction out of me.
On the sleep issue......as hard as it is..break the bad habits now. I know it's awful hearing them cry. It will get shorter and shorter each night. Is it just at night or for naps too? If you want to, let him cry for 15 minutes or 10 whatever you are more comfy with, go in his room, let him know you are still there, walk out again. Hopefully he will stop crying. It's hard, I know. I have definitely been there and when I was, I was asking Nicole and other mom's for advice. Good luck and I"ll talk to you soon.
Oh no! Madelyn hasn't chewed her crib...yet! I have no idea what to do about that and probably nothing much you can do. It's non toxic paint at least right? As far as the sleeping, I agree with Leslie, break that habbit now and if that means letting him cry it out for an hour that's what you have to do. Madelyn has never had problems going to sleep but maybe once or twice but she used to have problems falling BACK asleep on her own in the middle of the night. I had to let her scream it out for over an hour but it worked and I was glad. Just go in and comfort him every 10 or 15 minutes by talking to him or rubbing his back or hugging him and lying him back down on his back and then leave the room. It's just comforting to know that mom is near and cares but won't give in and "rescue" him just because he is crying. It only took one night of screaming for Madelyn to figure it out. Every once in a great while she had a bad night but that's all. Also maybe rock him like you are doing now but don't let him fall complpetely asleep before puting him back in bed. I have done that, but it doesn't work, she just wants to get down anyway. haha Well good luck jess and let us know how things go!! Be strong, he won't even remember how upset he was come morning! I promise he will still think the world of you!!:)
Hi Jess. Sorry that you're having trouble. I have no idea about the chewing on the crib issue. Simon is chewing on everything, but he isn't pulling up in his crib yet, so it hasn't come up.
As for sleep, I agree (and do does my doctor, the Baby Whisperer, and others I've talked to) that you want to break bad habits now. It'll only get harder as they get older and are more aware of how to work the system. Crying it out is awful, but it's the fastest way to create healthy habits for the long run. It only works though if you're super consistent. They have to know that you're not coming in at all (or only coming in every 10 minutes) and that you're not going to pick them up. Have you read either of these books? (Healthy sleep habits, happy child : a step-by-step program for a good night's sleep or Healthy sleep habits, happy child)? Both are by Weissbluth, Marc. He basically outlines why crying it out is the best way. See if your library has them. I still hate it, but it helped me to feel better about letting Simon cry.
We've also found that it's helpful to have a good nap routine and bedtime routine, so he knows what's coming. One book I read said those should be different. For ex. for naps, we nurse, read the same 2 books, and put on the same CD everyday.
Apparently the Baby Whisperer also has a helpful website where other moms will design a plan and help you figure out what to do to get them to sleep. You could check that out too.
Hang in there! It'll be better soon!
The other moms said what I would have, so I'll just echo and give you more assurance it's ok for them to cry. What I was told by my doc and my book is to go in every 15 min. and just lay them down pat them but not to really talk to them. It should only take you a week to a couple of weeks before he gets it. Blake also likes his blanket and binky. I know Jordan doesn't take a binky, but a blanket might help soothe him. Hang in there :)
This is Eric
First, I'm offended that only solicit mom advice on your blog. So I'm answering anyway.
1. Spank him
2. Give him a chew toy
3. Spank him
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