Sleeping Through The Night

[dar512]

We had a great pediatrician in Seattle (Issaquah actually), who had a bunch of kids of his own and was willing to give practical advice.

The main thing, he said, was to comfort them and let them know that crying would get our attention but to not make them dependent.

He recommended not picking the baby up. Pat them on the back for a minute or so and speak comfortingly, then leave. If they start crying again, wait five minutes before going back. Pat them on the back etc. The next time wait ten minutes before going back. Then fifteen. I think you weren't supposed to go back after fifteen, but we never ran into that situation.

It worked very well for us and both girls pretty much slept through the night after two months.

One of the reasons I think my girls and I are close is that I did most of the midnight comforting - light sleeper.

Actually that's an example of how becoming a parent changes you. I used to be a heavy sleeper and it took a major event to wake me - until we had kids. Even now that the girls are older, I still wake easily and I'm the one they come to if they get sick in the night.