Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
I finally feel like I'm not going crazy.
I've been thumbing through my "Healthy Sleep Habits, Healthy Child" book to try once again figure out what is up with Austin and re-read a section I read months ago on "Infant Temperament Characteristics". My jaw dropped as I read it out loud to Tom...we kept reading the characteristics and kept saying: "yep that's Austin...Austin is like that..." The section on the book leads into another section about difficult temperament babies....it described Austin to a "T" I kid you not and according to the research in this book, only 4% of common fussy babies turn to have a difficult temperament like this. 4%!!!! And of course babies like this are at severe high risk of developing sleep problems after 4 months. Another part of the section describes one account of a difficult temperament baby and how the parents couldn't tell how to read the baby's cries - again, that is Austin. Cries with silent pauses - Austin. Appears "intense" and "withdrawn" - Austin. Cannot adjust to a change in routine - Austin. Has unpredictable sleep/wake patterns - Austin.
Seriously, I know I've been annoying with all of my posts here and there and I'm sorry about that, but I just feel like my head as been spinning and spinning and constantly ask myself "how come other mothers 'get' their babies and make it seem so easy" - I was crying tonight because I felt like I just didn't know what he needed again (and felt like a bad mom) after last night and Tom kept telling me "It's Austin, not you, you are doing everything right." And it's true. I'm just so glad that I found some answers for myself in this book. I really honestly felt like I was going crazy!
Re: I finally feel like I'm not going crazy.
aw lisa, dont feel like youre a bad mom!!!! babies are so hard. even harder when theyre fussy!!!! i dont know how you do it! i have so much respect for you as a mom because i dont know how i would be able to deal with a fussy fussy baby, i know ive had it easy with tony big time. and i know i havent always responded to the posts but i read them all. you have not been annoying with them at all! i probably would have posted more than you have!
hang in there sweetie!!!!!
(((((HUGS)))))
Well, basically the book pushed for early sleep training with difficult temperament babies (at 3 and 4 months) and suggested that the "let cry" or extinction method might be best for these babies to help them STTN...I will say that although Austin cannot stray from his routine too often, needs things "just so", and is difficult, he is really content - so at least I must be doing something right for him
Lisa... I've had my fair share of struggles with Brianna and her sleeping habits! I STILL continue to have battles with her on some nights even now when shes 18 months old. Some of her sleep habits are my fault for bad habits we've created and I"m trying now to fix those. Brianna has never been a great sleeper so I know exactly how you feel. And when you're running on lack of sleep.. it sometimes magnifies things into something bigger than they are! All I can say.. is just take it one day at a time. Remember Austin is STILL young and you can still mold him into a good sleeper. Its alittle difficult in my situation because Brianna is older and understands more. Have you discussed this at all with your ped? I think when Brianna was his age.. should could only tolerate being awake for 2 hours and then it was time to nap again.
GL!!
Thank Maura...yeah, I'm hoping to get a handle on his sleeping habits now - it's going to take a lot of determination on my part, but he will have to learn....I do have his 4 month pedi appt. this upcoming weel thank God! I feel like I have 101 questions for her and hopefully she'll be able to give me some advice....Austin can only really tolerate being awake for 1 hour actually (I've read a small percentage of babies are like this and can only tolerate short spans of time) - 1hr 9 min. appears to be his total limit.....but if I need to get out he can deal with being awake for 2 hours (he gets cranky though)....it's certainly not a lot of time to be awake, but a lot for him, I'm sure
Aw, I am sorry you felt like you were going crazy. Totally understandable, though! I am glad you and Tom found some answers to the "why" - were there recommendations about the "what now"?
You're a great mom - you care so much about Austin - it's so apparent. And keep posting - I learn all kinds of things from all of you moms!
You're a great Mom! ?I'm glad you got something out of the book and have some answers. ?: )