Womze – Cross Cultural Parenting

I wanted to wait until baby’s sleep pattern was well established…until I could confidently say “My baby sleeps all night.  By himself.”  Confidently say it and not have him prove me wrong the following night.  Then I would write about how to successfully make your baby sleep all night.  I would say, “It’s easy.  Just let him cry it out.  Don’t back down.”  I knew what I was going to write.  I just wanted to wait longer than a week before writing it. It’s longer than a week, and now I’m writing a different post.

It started off well…almost like a textbook.  First night, 20 minutes of crying.  The following night, 5.  The next, just a whimper.  No issue the night after.  Adoring Father was back home, also enjoying a few nights without interruption.  Then we hit a bump.  One night where he seemed more tired than usual.  He ate less cereal than was normal and didn’t finish his bottle of milk.  He went to sleep in his crib without a protest.  But three hours later, he was calling for attention.  Could I ignore this cry?  I didn’t think so.  Adoring Father didn’t think so either.  Baby had to be hungry.  I probably should feed him.  I fed him.  He was fussy.  He stayed in bed with me, not in his crib.  There started our backward slide.

Days later, I know there’s nothing the matter with him.  If he was fighting off a bug, it is long gone now.  He’s fine.  He’s eating well and we’re back to our normal schedule.  “He needs to stay in his crib”, I think.  I’ve experienced it, it was good and I want my nighttime freedom back.  Not tethered to baby for fear he will roll off the bed as he’s a very active one.  I know he will resist…we’re back at the beginning.  Would we follow the same pattern as before with 20 minutes of crying the first night?  I wonder.  Adoring Father is home, he hates to hear his baby cry.  I have to convince him this is for the good.

So baby goes into his crib at night.  I tell myself that tonight, that’s where he’ll stay.  Like clockwork, he’s up again three hours later.  Adoring Father starts to get out of bed to pick him up.  “5 minutes.  Let’s give him 5 minutes”, I ask.  He doesn’t like it but agrees to bear it.  5 minutes.  I pray that it is enough.  I watch the clock and I pray.  Silently.  Four minutes, and the loud crying recedes.  Relief washes over me.  We did it!  A few minutes later, another cry.  I stiffen, but the crying stops.  Relief…we’re still good.  Adoring Father and I settle back to sleep.  I can hardly sleep though as I keep expecting to hear another cry.  “Stay asleep.  Stay asleep.  Stay asleep.” I chant in my head repeatedly.  Morning came and there’s no baby in our bed.  Success!

Success?

I tiptoe into the baby’s room.  But alas!  The crib is empty!!

I notice the door to the next bedroom is ajar.  I peek inside and there was baby asleep right next to his uncle.