The Sleep Obsession

So with Silas's new found awareness of the world, all of the new noises he's learning to make and all of the movements his body is learning to do, his semi- sleep pattern I mentioned previously have somewhat fallen apart. Having been in school for so long, I completely understand what it is like to be so focused on learning something that you can't rest well night or day. We just drink coffee to compensate and know that once the learning is over, the sleep will return. Or in Andrew and I's case, if the education doesn't end, you learn to cope and help each other.

It seems natural that Silas would be having the same response. In America this is called a " sleep regression". In the rest of the world I believe it is called "normal infant behavior".

Here is what I'm thinking about Western perspective on infant sleep now that I've been with our little guy for 13 months ( 9 in womb and 4 out in the world). They are obsessed with the infant having as little effect on their lives as possible. They worry they have to schedule the kid the minute they might be mentally capable of such scheduling for fear they will never learn later or that learning later will be impossibly difficult.

Sleep is natural. MOST babies will sleep at night as most babies will wake up in the night. It is normal for them to want to be with somebody while sleeping just like it is for all other cute, little fuzzy mammals in this world. Changes in sleep-wake patterns ebbs and flows with the growing and ever changing needs of the infant as their bodies grow and their minds expand. Just because we can't physically see their brain cells growing and connecting does not mean it is not happening. I've seen a lot of interpretations that these "regressions" mean we should "teach" the infant to self-soothe again through whatever means necessary.

Don't get me wrong, I want Silas to fit into a sleep schedule so I know what to expect and I know when  and how to make him happiest through being a well rested baby. Like all of the schooling I've been through for the last...oh wait...my entire life, there is no set schedule on how to accomplish it, it does not fit into a neat box and learning is hard, ever changing and requires guided determination and nutrients. Which may mean night time eating seshs.

So guidance he will get. We completely understand that a schedule and his affect on our daily lives will not be in stone or subtle. I know I'm on a soap box. As new parents, we are bombarded with opinions and we seek opinions and advice. I'm finding the truest words are " you know best what your child and your family needs".

From our little family to yours, raising a baby is as personal as the underwear you choose!!

Here is a link I thought was a great read.

http://evolutionaryparenting.com/sleep-a-misguided-and-unhealthy-obsession/

PS. I know this is dramatic but sometimes dramatic is fun!

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin....Not Quite (3 1/2 Months)

         The three month old growth spurt struck! Silas started nursing every two hours through out the night again for a few nights and then sleeping extra long the next few days. His little sumo legs are starting to lose their wrinkles and he has found new octaves in his voice including squealing.

He is also working very hard at figuring out how to role over still. He has figured out how to move his legs while on his tummy so that the bottom portion of his body roles but he hasn't quite figured out the top part.

The oral fixation has continued and is more than entertaining. ANYTHING that comes into his hands enters his mouth at least once. Mostly his little hands. He has just started to grab for objects in front of him as well. A more conscious effort than the usual grab-wherever-and-put-in-mouth routine.

I've been recording Silas's nap schedule these days since he's starting to get a semblance of a schedule. It is definitely helping me put him down for naps based upon his own natural pattern he is setting and to make it happen before he hits the hyper active nutsy stage. 

I've also been trying a tentative sleep routine before naps and nighttime. My favorite tool for sleep time right now is the moby wrap. I figured out a new wrap called the kangaroo wrap. I know I'm a dirty hippy, but it works like a charm. This wrap lets me rock him to sleep and then unwrap him with out jostling him to lay him down. He seems to really like it too.

co-sleeper Mark built!

The weather has been awesome so we go disc golfing a lot! Andrew is conquering the Mint Hill course.

do you see little feet sticking out of the bottom?

 A little update (April 19): Silas officially rolled over yesterday for the first time with no assistance from gravity!! He did it so unconsciously he hasn't been able to figure it out since. I am also adjusting my assessment of his growth spurt leading to more night feedings. He is definitely in a sleep regression. That little brain of his must be going through a spurt too.

Spring Break and Three months old!!

I think learning to roll over must feel like this for Silas until just one day its going to accidentally happen. With the help of gravity he has rolled himself over but its a rare occasion.

He's made it onto his side many times so I know its in the works! Some early teething symptoms have begun too so with all this learning comes a little fussier, clingier baby. 

In other news, we were gone all this last week for Andrew's spring break. We went to smith mountain lake and spent some time with Drew's parents, Nana and Grandpa. Andrew bought Silas a dolphin balloon while at the lake and it turned out to be the best mobile ever!

In the middle of the week we had to go to our friend Austin's little brothers funeral. He was taking a picture while hiking on a cliff, had a mis-step and fell to his death. He was only 24 years old. So we drove to Shelby NC to attend the funeral, reception and went to a bar with everyone afterwards. It was very challenging with Silas and I spent most of my time either rocking him or in the car with him but he was a good boy considering the circumstances. Andrew was able to be there for his friend, which was most important.

Silas being a good boy at the restaurant after the funeral

The end of the week was nice. We drove back to Roanoke and stayed with my mom and step-dad, mammy and pappy for a night. Jane's bridal shower was on Saturday and it was fantastic! Jane received some amazing gifts and looked beautiful!

Mammy and Silas at the shower...little budha

We are glad to be home and that Spring has decided to make its debut! Bare feet weather here we come!!!