Oh my gosh! Babies really DO nap like in the books!?!?

[mamahill]

All right, I'm ecstatic. Since returning from vacation, Ainsleigh has been a champ in napping and going to bed. I keep telling people this and knocking on wood because I'm sure it won't last, but I just had to share, for those of you who are going through the nap battles and night-time ugly dance to get them asleep. It's just like they say in the books. When it comes time for her afternoon nap (we're down to one now, though sometimes she falls asleep for 20-30 minutes mid-morning in the car or in her stroller), I say, "Time to go night night," and I close the blinds and turn on her white noise machine and she immediately lays her head on my shoulder. After a minute or two I say, "Would you like to go in your crib?" And she sits up and points to the bed. I put her in and rub her back for a minute and then walk out. She jabbers to herself, laying there on her stomach, for a few minutes and then goes to sleep ALL BY HERSELF!!!! And she's been taking 2-3 hour naps. I hardly know what to do with myself:). And at night it's the same thing, only EASIER. And she's sleeping for almost 11 hours.

I'd like to say there was a book I read or advice I followed, but there wasn't. Up until we left on our trip I was rocking her to sleep, convinced that I was destined to do it for years and have rock-hard biceps. Anyway, I just had to share. Ladies, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!

[brubeck]

Yay Ainsleigh! I'm so glad for you Sarah! Just remember, NEVER take it for granted. The moment you start COUNTING on her falling asleep at a certain time or in a certain way she will stop. Witness my daughter who has had TWO napless afternoons in the last week.

[sweetbasil]

I'm so happy for you...and good for Ainsleigh! What a great feeling that must be!

We ran out today and got several books I've seen mentioned here- DS#1 never had problems sleeping, so I assume since all kids are different, I'd better have an arsenal of happy baby, good sleep habits books on hand ;)

[blnony]

Yeah for you and Ainsleigh.
How wonderful. I bet you don't know what to do with yourself. If I wasn't about to keel over from exhaustion all day, I wouldn't know what to do. :)

[nigele]

Hurray for Ainsleigh (and for Mama!) Thanks for sharing - glad there is hope for Tom...

:-)

[Karenn]

2-3 Hours? I'm so envious! That's fantastic! I love the part where she actually points to her crib! Hmmmm, maybe we need to go on a little family vacation....;)

[egoldber]

Isn't it amazing? I ask Sarah at about 7:45, "Are you ready for bed?" and she goes and gets her lamb lovie and stands by the steps to go upstairs. We change her diaper, she lays in her crib and goes to sleep. Ah, bliss. (Well, most nights anyway... :P ) After we put Sarah to bed tonight, DH and I were saying our new nightly mantra "we hope it's this easy with #2, we hope it's this easy with #2!

[momathome]

We're feeling good napping vibes around here, too, recently. Kasey napped today for 3 1/2 hours - I did not even know what to do with myself! Most days I feel lucky if she naps for 1 1/2 hours so this was definitely a treat! Go, Ainsleigh - keep the sweet dreams coming!!!
-Lauren

[Annette_C]

Hoooorrayyy for Ainsleigh!
Thanks for the reassurance Sarah. I needed that!:)
Annette
SAHM to Sabrina 6/24/02