To cry or not to cry?

Source: About.com

Ask any new mum and the biggest concerns are going to be feeding and sleep - both their own and their babies. I read so many books on sleep and had formed a very strong feeling against any form of sleep training. I was definitely in the Dr Sears camp (cosleep until baby is ready to move into his own bed) rather than the Dr Cohen approach (at 8 weeks place baby in crib at 7pm, close the door and open it again at 7am). However all that changed with Master R was 7 months old.

I was going back to work on a 2 month contract with Goldman Sachs. The Sunday before I started I met with Mama V and complained that I didn't know how I was going to continue to cosleep with Master R, wake during the night for feeds and make a good impression at work. Mama V told me I was just going to have to use the cry it out method (CIO). She shared her experience and urged me to consider it. What sold me is that she said Master K was a much happier baby as a result often waking of a morning to sit in his crib playing happily with his toys - a stark contrast to Master R who awoke screaming most mornings still tired.

That night Mr M was travelling for work so I resolved myself to the task. After a bath and story we lay down together for a feed and then put him in his crib at 7pm. Prepared for the worst I was surprised when he only whimpered for 15 minutes before falling asleep. Shocked I waited for him to wake up. Finally at 10 he awoke crying but again he only cried for 10-15 minutes. He woke again at 11 and I thought this was going to continue all night. But once again after 15 minutes of crying he fell asleep again - for the rest of the night! The next night he only cried for a little while before sleeping the whole night and then every night since, except for a the odd night of course.

So now I'm a convert. I see anti-CIO parent's kids who still wake during the night at 4 years old and I'm so pleased that Mama V encouraged me to do it. Now however, it's Master T's turn. He's 5.5mths old - where has the time gone? It's not so easy. He feels like a little baby and seems to young to just cry. We've started CIO, a modified version of it anyway. He falls asleep during feeding and was waking again after 1-2 hours. But a week ago I started letting him cry. It hasn't been as quick as Master R, but so far it's working. Master T mostly sleeps through until 10:30-11pmish when I come into bed and wake him up. In the next couple of months I'll move him out of our bed and start working towards a full night of sleep. Two kids sleeping though the night, won't that be bliss!

What do you think? Did you or didn't you use CIO or a version of it?

My child is an angel, what's happened?

Source: Angel Gift

It seems that when Master R wants to instigate change is starts on a Sunday. This past Sunday we were braced for a little grump after a busy day visiting friends and flying remote control planes with his Papi and no naps. But instead our little angel slept until 7am, came straight into bed with us and proceeded to cuddle first me and then Mr M. It was truly incredible. Normally he hates to be cuddled for long periods as he doesn't like the constraint and tries to run away. We were amazed but it's continued.

And not just with us. Nanny G was amazed on Monday that while playing in the park Master R would run back to her at regular intervals, cuddle a bit then run (well more of a drunken sailor waddle) back to his plaything of choice.

But it's not just the affection that's got us puzzled. He's eating everything, drinking everything and in such vast quantities that we can't believe it. The absolute best bit is that he's telling me when he's sleepy and wants a nap! Monday morning we were playing and cuddling on the sofa when he pointed to his bedroom. Upon entering his room he pointed to his bed, lay down and went straight to sleep - with blanky of course.

It's incredible. Sorry mamas to be smug. You must hate me. I know this is not going to continue but I'm relishing it while it's here.