Fixing what’s broken

October 6, 2007 · 14 comments

Last night was the night.

Preston stayed in his bed ALL NIGHT LONG.  🙂 He had two major crying spells in which he went into major panic mode. But his daddy stayed by his side, waiting for him to calm down and fall asleep – he did, eventually.  Me? I stayed in bed, head between the pillows, monitor off, fan on. Yes, I could still hear him – I am the mama – but Mike did such a good job that I only had to restrain myself for a few minutes. Oh those mama instincts! I wanted to grab him and bring him into our bed so badly, but I know that he needs to sleep in his own bed. He’ll sleep better and so will we.

He actually came out of his room this morning a little after 8. I could tell he was still sleepy, so I put him in bed with his daddy.  They deserve some extra sleep today.  And since he made it through til morning, I figured it was “safe” to put him in our bed.  I’ve never minded when the boys joined us in the morning; feels like a decent compromise.

For those of you asking about the doctor appointment, it went pretty much as I expected. Although Dr. A did say that if his sleeping with us wasn’t bothering us, then it wasn’t bothering him.  Obviously, though, since we were there, it was bothering us.  He didn’t recommend any supplements or medications; he suggested we let him cry and figure it out. We talked about the crying until puking and he said what others have said – clean it up and put him back in bed.  We chatted about P’s personality and stubbornness; his intelligence and knowledge of how to get what he wants; about sleep cycles and waking up.  He told us about the five kids he raised and his one daughter who would literally throw up in front of him every time he and his wife were about to go out for the evening.   He encouraged us to let him cry and told us if it didn’t take care of the problem in a few days to call and talk to him directly.  He’s a good doctor – older and not so up on homeopathic remedies or alternative medicine, but decent and kind.

I felt sick thinking about it – my poor, sweet little lover, crying because he wants to be with his mama and daddy. But I know that we all need better sleep. I know it.  I don’t like it, but I do know.  So this is the weekend.  Last night was the first night and he was up 3 times, 2 long stretches, one sleeping while crying episode.  Tonight will be night #2 and hopefully it goes well.   I am still going to pick up some Calms Forte for Kids. Since it’s all natural, it has no side effects and I feel comfortable enough giving him something like that for those nights when it’s hard to get to sleep.  Obviously, I’ll keep you updated!  Wish us luck!

(I almost wrote part of this post at 3am because I couldn’t fall asleep knowing he was crying, even though I couldn’t hear him!)

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

liv October 6, 2007 at 5:52 am

Good for you. I know I\'m the resident sleep nazi, but I really feel better having some space at night. I literally begin to feel claustrophobic if I don\'t have some alone time. My thoughts about the homeopathy is that this thing he\'s doing is behavioral. It\'s not that he can\'t sleep or does not need sleep. He sounds like he\'s been doing what he\'s doing for so long that he has habituated this nightly action. I tried some of the California Baby sleepy bath stuff, and it didn\'t work. I think because I finally realized that D wasn\'t tired. He was comfortable with our nightly struggle. hth

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liv October 6, 2007 at 5:54 am

I meant to write that D wasn\'t lacking in the exhaustion department….he was comfortable with the nightly push and pull.

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jen October 6, 2007 at 9:08 am

oh sister…it will pass but how heartbreaking in the moment. am pulling for Preston..go, little man, go.

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Tabatha October 6, 2007 at 9:20 am

The throwing up sounds like something I did to my mom when I was his age.. I would hold my breathe until I started changing colors, and my Mom would give in. She finally took me to the doctor and he said \"Let her hold her breathe, let her change colors, the worst that will happen in she passes out and then she obviously starts breathing when she passes out.\" She allowed me to do it, and I stopped that trick! lol.. It will take a couple days, but in the long run, it will be so worth it. By the way.. You have a super hubby/Daddy… How many guys would stay up with the little one like that so Mama didnt have to do it! I know mine wouldnt!

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liv October 6, 2007 at 12:52 pm

Good for you. I know I’m the resident sleep nazi, but I really feel better having some space at night. I literally begin to feel claustrophobic if I don’t have some alone time. My thoughts about the homeopathy is that this thing he’s doing is behavioral. It’s not that he can’t sleep or does not need sleep. He sounds like he’s been doing what he’s doing for so long that he has habituated this nightly action. I tried some of the California Baby sleepy bath stuff, and it didn’t work. I think because I finally realized that D wasn’t tired. He was comfortable with our nightly struggle. hth

Reply

liv October 6, 2007 at 12:54 pm

I meant to write that D wasn’t lacking in the exhaustion department….he was comfortable with the nightly push and pull.

Reply

jen October 6, 2007 at 4:08 pm

oh sister…it will pass but how heartbreaking in the moment. am pulling for Preston..go, little man, go.

Reply

Tabatha October 6, 2007 at 4:20 pm

The throwing up sounds like something I did to my mom when I was his age.. I would hold my breathe until I started changing colors, and my Mom would give in. She finally took me to the doctor and he said “Let her hold her breathe, let her change colors, the worst that will happen in she passes out and then she obviously starts breathing when she passes out.” She allowed me to do it, and I stopped that trick! lol.. It will take a couple days, but in the long run, it will be so worth it. By the way.. You have a super hubby/Daddy… How many guys would stay up with the little one like that so Mama didnt have to do it! I know mine wouldnt!

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pgoodness October 6, 2007 at 1:42 pm

Thanks for the support, friends! Yes, I am lucky that Mike will do that…it would never happen if left up to me!! 🙂

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Shine October 6, 2007 at 2:17 pm

You can do it, the Mommy Instinct is SO hard to overcome, we want our little guys to be happy always, but know you are doing this for everyone\'s health and sanity! If you and hubby can keep a united front, it will all be fine. In a few days, everyone will be much better rested. Call me at any hour if you need some moral support!

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pgoodness October 6, 2007 at 8:42 pm

Thanks for the support, friends! Yes, I am lucky that Mike will do that…it would never happen if left up to me!! 🙂

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Shine October 6, 2007 at 9:17 pm

You can do it, the Mommy Instinct is SO hard to overcome, we want our little guys to be happy always, but know you are doing this for everyone’s health and sanity! If you and hubby can keep a united front, it will all be fine. In a few days, everyone will be much better rested. Call me at any hour if you need some moral support!

Reply

Michelle October 7, 2007 at 7:14 am

GOOD going. After a few nights of pain you\'ll be kicking back in your own bed, asking, \"why didn\'t I do this sooner!!?\" xoxo

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Michelle October 7, 2007 at 2:14 pm

GOOD going. After a few nights of pain you’ll be kicking back in your own bed, asking, “why didn’t I do this sooner!!?” xoxo

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