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Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Sleep, Glorious Sleep

by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor on January 19th, 2007

Remember I posted a couple of weeks ago about my efforts to get my toddler to sleep through the night? I’m happy to report that some progress has been made since that post! Last night my toddler slept six and a half hours straight (from 11:15 p.m. to 5:45 a.m.) without any crying or any assistance from me or my husband. After I went in to nurse her at 5:45 I had trouble falling back asleep because I’d gotten such a good stretch of slumber! My body apparently thought that was it and I should get up for the day. Fortunately it didn’t take too long for me to drift off again and I got another two hours of sleep in before my daughter was up for good shortly after 8 a.m. “Mama! Hold hand! Mama! Go downstairs!”

I’m not sure how she knew I desperately needed a good night’s sleep. I did have a nice little chat with her before bed: “Okay, you drift off to sleep and sleep the whole night through because it feels so good to sleep! Mama needs a good night’s sleep and you need a good night’s sleep. If you wake up before the sun comes up, just roll over and go back to sleep. See you in the morning!” Some of that pep talk must have reached her understanding.

I know there will be some bumps in the road. She’s cutting some teeth and I’m sure we’ll weather our fair share of illnesses over the winter. Still, I’m celebrating this progress while it lasts! Basking in the glow of a good night’s sleep….

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POSTED IN: sleep, toddler nursing

4 opinions for Sleep, Glorious Sleep

  • Sinead
    Jan 19, 2007 at 12:59 pm

    Isn’t it soooo good when that first night’s sleep comes? It sort of recharges the batteries and keeps you going for another while. Here’s hoping you get another good sleep soon!

  • Angela
    Jan 19, 2007 at 3:56 pm

    I almost hated to mention it at all lest that somehow mock the sleep gods! I want more nights like that!

  • Tanya
    Jan 19, 2007 at 10:06 pm

    Hooray! I’m rooting for you!

  • Marie
    Feb 12, 2007 at 12:06 am

    Hi, I just stumbled across this website while looking for more info on breastfeeding a toddler to sleep. I am glad to see someone else in the same predicament handling this with such good humor. My younger daughter is 27 months old and god help me still being nursed to sleep, or almost to sleep, about 8pm. she usually wakes again to nurse at 1030pm and not again until 530am or 630am to nurse again. As I write this I realize how nuts this is. I stopped middle of the night nursing(between midnight and 530am), about a year ago as I just was worn out. I am reaching another plateau of desire for more sleep, I am just not sure how to achieve it without too much crying. I am a big softy at times and also I don’t want her to scream and wake up the whole house.

    Just wanted to vent, stay tuned.
    Marie

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