So the past couple weeks the bedtime routine has gone south, especially for Allie. She vehemently protests bedtime, regardless of how tired. That, coupled with other things going on (i.e. causing me stress) I decided to go out on a limb and consult the pros. I got in to see the child sleep person at a sleep clinic (run at one of the hospitals) on the recommendation of the pediatrician and some local twins club moms.
Won't bore you with the long details but seems that the girls are a bit too reliant on needing assistance at bedtime. Since they don't wake us up overnight they have the ability to fall asleep on their own, but seem at the original bedtime just not to. So the plan is to work with them on falling asleep on their own for bedtime and naptime (which has always been a fight)
Well, the slight catch is that hubby often will pick up Allie when she gets too mad. The sleep person said Allie has it in her head if she sees daddy and yells loud enough, she'll get "rescued." So the plan is that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I am putting the girls to sleep by myself. They are to be put in their cribs at least somewhat awake, and I go in at timed intervals if they're fussy or crying to assure them soneone is there.
Now I know there are tons of different theories on baby sleep so if you don't agree with the plan, that's fine but we're trying it out. To each his own. If it doesn't work, back to the drawing board. And just from this past week, Friday night especially is probably going to be very hard. So we shall see.
Moving on.....................
We don't know for sure, as I've mentioned, if they're identical.
They sure try to act like it don't they?
And even if you give them the same exact toy, the grass is always greener on the other side isn't it? Audrey could care less about her music toy - Allie's completely identical music toy is far more intereting.
I hope the plan works for you Julie. We had to do the same thing with Riley, just let her cry it out for about a week and now she goes right to sleep at night after her bath and bottle.
ReplyDeleteCute pictures also, two pees in a pod, arent' they?
Great pictures! Nothing is as great as the toy you DON'T have. Aren't men like that, too? ;o)
ReplyDeleteWe did the Cry It Out method with both Nae and Zilla. It sucked the first night or so, but it was SO worth it! It was like a WHOLE new world opened up for us! WHAT?! You can put the baby in her crib and she ACTUALLY goes to sleep without being rocked, nursed, fed, pleaded with?! The hell you say! Seriously it was the best thing EVER! Good luck with it, I hope it works for you guys! Babies not wanting to go to sleep at bedtime is STRESSFUL!
*HUGS*
So jealous of their fluffy hair.
ReplyDeleteWe had to do something similar with E to get him to sleep at night. Just be consistent and hopefully you'll see a difference in a couple of days.
The stealing of toys has just begun.