A Little Bragging to Do...

I think it's amazing that in one session of ice skating lessons, my little athlete goes from THIS:



And THIS:



To THIS:



And THIS

Sleep Training-In Honor of our Upcoming Sleeplessness!

A funny message written by Ava Meyer in Ft Bragg, NC.  She was fed up with reading book after book of "experts" on sleep training.
Ultimately, she just listened to her babies.

Perhaps now that I'm on my last child sleeping will be flawless and easy (ha ha ha.  I know. Funny, right?)
If not, here is some "expert" advice I can follow:

"You shouldn’t sleep train at all, before a year, before 6 months, or before 4 months, but if you wait too late, your baby will never be able to sleep without you. College-aged children never need to be nursed, rocked, helped to sleep, so don’t worry about any bad habits. Nursing, rocking, singing, swaddling, etc to sleep are all bad habits and should be stopped immediately.

Naps should only be taken in the bed, never in a swing, car seat, stroller, or when worn. Letting them sleep in the car seat or swing will damage their skulls. If your baby has trouble falling asleep in the bed, put them in a swing, car seat, stroller, or wear them. Use the crib only for sleep and keep it free of distractions. If the baby is having trouble adjusting to the crib, have them play in it first. If the baby wakes up at night and wants to play, put fun toys in the crib to distract them.

Put the baby in a nursery, bed in your room, in your bed. Co-sleeping is the best way to get sleep, except that it can kill your baby, so never, ever do it. If your baby doesn't die, you will need to bed-share until college.

Keep the room warm, but not too warm. Swaddle the baby tightly, but not too tightly. Put them on their backs to sleep, but don't let them be on their backs too long or they will be developmentally delayed. Give them a pacifier to reduce SIDS. Be careful about pacifiers because they can cause nursing problems and stop your baby from sleeping soundly. If your baby sleeps too soundly, they’ll die of SIDS.

Don’t let your baby sleep too long, except when they’ve been napping too much, then you should wake them. Never wake a sleeping baby. Any baby problem can be solved by putting them to bed earlier, even if they are waking up too early. If your baby wakes up too early, put them to bed later or cut out a nap. Don’t let them nap after 5 p.m. Sleep begets sleep, so try to get your child to sleep as much as possible. Put the baby to bed awake but drowsy. Don't wake the baby if it fell asleep while nursing.

You should start a routine and keep track of everything. Don’t watch the clock. Put them on a schedule. Scheduling will make your life impossible because they will constantly be thrown off of it and you will become a prisoner in your home.

Using the "Cry It Out" method (CIO) will make them think they’ve been abandoned and will be eaten by a lion shortly. It also causes brain damage. Not getting enough sleep will cause behavior and mental problems, so be sure to put them to sleep by any means necessary, especially CIO, which is the most effective form. CIO is cruel beyond belief and the only thing that truly works because parents are a distraction.

Formula and solid foods will help the baby sleep longer. Solid foods shouldn’t be given at night because they might wake the baby. Don't stop the baby from nursing when asleep. Be wary of night feeds. If you respond too quickly with food or comfort, your baby is manipulating you. Babies can’t manipulate. Babies older than six months can manipulate.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. Clean when the baby cleans. Don’t worry. Stress causes your baby stress and a stressed baby won't sleep."

Warm Fuzzies

I wanted to share an email from the world's best babysitter.
Enjoy!

Hi Maria,

Anna did several sweet, thoughtful big sister things on Monday.

When Lillybeth kept saying more about her water bottle,

and I was dumping some out and refilling it, etc., not

understanding what she wanted – Anna told her

to tip the cup up (and that was the answer)! 

And Anna reminded her later too.

Anna said she was going to wait to smash the water balloons till Lilly was awake because

she’d like it too.   

Lilly got the last hardboiled egg and Anna wanted some, so I cooked some more.

Anna said she’d “crack” Lillly’s too for her and did.    

Anna invited Lillybeth up with us on the EZ chair.

I loved it!  Read five of your books from childhood – wonderful

books…with the girls…and Cricket too for part of the time.

At one point Anna had gotten off the EZ chair and Lilly was sitting

next to me, when Anna wanted back up Anna problem solved,

“Lilly, let’s change places.”

I told Anna, while the three of us were reading your books, something like “this is really nice with you guys”

and she gave me the sweetest smile.  I love those precious daughters of yours!       

Love and peace,

Kim