Sleep Training: A Baby's Point of View

The last few days, I've been reading different books and theories about trying to get the little guy on somewhat of a schedule. He sleeps GREAT at night, but fights sleep during the day. He's usually pretty happy, so I'm struggling with whether he even needs a change right now. But, I read all about getting into bad habits and how this is the time to get healthy habits started. So, we're trying. Trying today meant letting him cry for 15 minutes instead of the hour the book suggested. I couldn't do it. I was listening to the monitor and it was so hard to hear him cry like that. I decided to buy one more book, wait another week and try again =) Yes, I'm a wimp.

In the meantime, I found this "article" on sleep training written from a baby's point of view and thought I'd share. If you're not familiar with popular sleep training methods, they are mainly about teaching a baby to go to sleep on his/her own and as a parent recognizing that the baby is crying b/c he/she WANTS you, not b/c he/she NEEDS you.

Sleep Training: A Baby's Point of View
OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 7 months. The first few months were great–I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened. Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night). At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, 
and it seems like it's pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 6 months. Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep–they just don't need it anymore. So I am 
implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle. 


It goes like this: 

Night 1–cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, 
it's hard. It's hard to see your Mommy upset over your 
crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own 
good. 


Night 2–cry every 2 hours until you get fed.


Night 3–every hour. 


Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this 
enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!! If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change. If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry 
again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it. 

Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with. My sleep sack tickled my foot. I felt a wrinkle under the sheet. My mobile made a shadow on the wall.
I burped, and it tasted like pears. I hadn't eaten pears since lunch, what's up with that? The cat said "meow". I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL. Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room. Too hot, too cold, just right–doesn't matter! Keep crying!! It took awhile, but it worked.
She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am. You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies' internal clocks.

P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, no milk will come out. Trust me.