Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Sleep? What Is That?

How is it that I can have an almost one month old baby?! How did this happen?!

I read the developmental books that talk about things that should start happening at six weeks, three months, and beyond. For example, the "experts" say that sleep patterns should start emerging at four months. I read this through my blood-shot, sleep deprived eyes and think, "Four months?! That's forever from now! I have to wait that long to get some sleep?!" And then I realize that it's not really that far away. Little Man will be four months old before I can blink those weary eyes.

I actually don't mind the late night feedings at night. I get Will from his bassinet before his cries can wake up M and then practically sleep walk into our extra bedroom. I have quite a nice set-up in there. . . comfy queen sized bed, t.v. (with cable), and I keep Will's diapers, some wipes, My.licon, and a fresh bottle of water by the bedside. He really is quite easy at night. I don't think he really wakes up, is more of in a partial awake stage. I nurse him from one breast, then he gets a diaper change and re-swaddled, a drop of My.licon, and then the other breast. After a quick burp, we tiptoe back into the bedroom and he goes right back down in his bassinet. No muss, no fuss. It's actually a quiet time and I enjoy those precious moments of it being just the two of us.

The problem is that these late night feedings happen quite frequently. He gets maybe one three to four hour sleep window, then it's every two hours, like clockwork, after that. I'm lucky if I am up less than four times between 8 PM and 7 AM. The cumulative effect is that I am very tired during the day. His naps aren't really as predictable. Some days, he might go down for two hours and I get a nap myself. Other days, the naps are little jags of time, thirty minutes here, forty-five minutes there. I barely have my head on the pillow and he is up again.

Everyone tells me that it gets easier, that sleep patterns will emerge, that his little tummy will somehow stay full for longer than two hours. But it's a double-edged sword. Wishing for those days means wishing these days away. And as tired as I am, I wouldn't trade this time for the world.

11 comments:

HereWeGoAJen said...

I have no idea how a whole month has gone by either! That seems impossible.

Kim said...

Time FLIES. It's so sad :O(.

Poor Katie! Just try to catch naps during the day whenever you can. You're only one mommy with two hands, everything will get done eventually. Just worry about taking care of you and Will. :O)

Joy said...

Awwww! Great post!!! Here's hope--- my youngest daughter started sleeping through the night in her crib at 2 months old! While every baby is diff. it sounds like Will doesn't really wake up and cry, so he may do VERY well!

I cannot believe it's already been a month?! WHAT?!

RBandRC said...

I'm with you on this. Lemy is almost two months, and she is still waking at least two or three times at night. I'm hoping we can get into some kind of rhythm soon or at least that she can go a little longer, but it appears we are in the midst of a growth spurt which equals little to no sleep for me. Hang in there! You're not alone!

Ms. J said...

I honestly don't know how you are doing this - you are one tough broad!

I've got a good sleeper here, and I am exhausted. Probably because I am spending every moment she is napping cleaning up, doing work emails, yadda.

YOU'RE DOIN' GREAT!!!

The Lowder Family said...

Hi my name is Kara, You don't know me, but I actually read your story this month in the "Sharing newsletter" It is so comforting to find others that have experienced the same loss, it makes me feel so much less alone. Thanks for sharing the story, your baby boy is absolutely beautiful!!!

Elle Charlie said...

Well, at least you can appreciate it, even if it's hard - it's a blessed time :)

Geohde said...

Yep- it goes fast.

But it's still exhausting :)

J

AwkwardMoments said...

Sounds like you are hanging in there - It's amazing what you can do w/o sleep

Annalien said...

Sounds like you are doing great! With both my little ones I found that after about 6 weeks they sleep longer at night, so you only have about 2 weeks to go.

Amy said...

no schedule till 6 months....it's science really....hang in there, it's going to FLY BY! And yes, you will miss these precious lil baby days....sniff.....I do!