fun on the porch

nighttime weaning part II

After a string of sleepless nights, what with Lilly getting that cold, then just being such a bundle of energy who can't seem to stop (sounds famliar?), we (I...) decided to give the nighttime weaning another try (after a first attempt earlier last fall. We had a couple successful first nights, then I forgot my vow the third night, by the fourth night it watered out). So. This was the plan: put her down in the second bedroom like we always do (usually between seven and eight). Nurse her to sleep (as usual). Then give her boob again upon transfer to ours (typically anytime between ten and midnight). Then not again till 5 a.m. During the day, I explained to her calmly how the boobs would have to sleep, but then would be very happy to see her in the morning.

I'm happy to report, the night went pretty well! She fell asleep around 7 p.m. Woke between 9 and 9:30 p.m. as I was getting ready for bed. I took her with me and nursed her (oh, another part of the plan was that Leighton will sleep in the second bedroom till we have this figured out, to give me and Lilly some more space. We'll give it a week, then see). So we parted our ways. Lilly woke around 1 a.m. and angrily beat me and my boobs. She clearly knew she couldn't ask for them for she didn't even try (typically she points or grasps, uttering "pupp"!). But lo and behold: she settled sooner than when I keep offering the boob on her demand. Same procedure around 3 a.m.; this time she actually settled sooner. And this time she also drank a little of the water bottle I also had offered her around 1. I took her with me to the bathroom to pee both times (I had to go, and I felt the up and down would be good to break the crying spell). It worked.

Then she slept till past five. I woke before her, my boobs achingly full. I stirred a little, she woke, had a boob, fell back to sleep. Slept another hour or so, had the other boob, we were up around 7. I took her to the bathroom where she peed and pooped in the potty (auto for her on most days, except these last couple of days, it's almost like she hasn't had time to sleep or poop: she's just up and running around). She wasn't really wanting to go today either, but I got her in her seat, and there she went.

Then she wanted her sweatsuit on, it's in her room, where Leighton was still sleeping. I quickly went in and got her a new diaper and clothes from the shelves without him waking, but then soon after Lilly went back in to get him up. So cute. She loves her papa.

I'm hopeful about how this could turn out. Leighton and I sure need the rest. Lilly, on the other hand, seems effaced by the less amount of sleep she's been getting. Such a life force, so much energy. Such a happy girl.