Through My Mistakes

Middle of the night wakings

When we were dropping bottles and formula, I was dead set on dropping that middle of the night waking that my child insisted upon as well.  I read enough sites, researched, asked around, figured there was no reason why my one year old couldn’t sleep her happy ass through the night.  She was merely waking up for a sip of milk and a cuddle. Nothing else.

So we gave it a try.  Crying it out.  Ignoring.  Counting her own sheep.  Then she got sick so we (we as in me, my husband didn’t do shit) put it on the back burner.  Then she got better.  Then she was teething.  Then she wasn’t.  And somewhere in there, in the middle of the night, I decided to drop it.  To not give a fuck that my kid wakes up once a night for a sippy of milk and a cuddle.  All of which lasts 10 minutes.  My kid lies right down for bed, naps great, and always sleeps in her own crib.  90% of the time it is only once a night.  Unless teething.  Because fuck teething my friends.

Sure, I would love to sleep through the night.  I really would.  I know my kid doesn’t need to be rocked, with a sippy of milk in the middle of the night.  I also know that this time will end.  How she hands me her sippy when she is done, pops her binky back in, curls up against me, clutches to my shirt and closes her eyes, while I rock her….that all will end.  A 10 minute routine that is just us in the calm, dead of the night.  Instead of forcing it to end, I have decided to accept it.

I do not accept the waking every hour, on the hour, for teething, like last night.  That I do not accept but that I apparently have zero control over as well.

I have also come to realize that maybe this is something she needs just as much.  She needs that cuddle and that closeness.  She needs the dead of the night.  It is almost like a meditation time for us both.  Clear minds and nowhere to be.  10 minutes to ourselves to reconnect and then back to dream land.  So I don’t have any advice for you mammas in the same boat.  I’m just going to ride this one out for a bit until it feels like I need to crack down on it or she gives up on it.  They are only this little once and I can lose 10 minutes of sleep a night  for it.

Unless teething, then send coffee.

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Sanibel

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Comments

8 responses to “Middle of the night wakings”

  1. My Perfect Breakdown Avatar
    My Perfect Breakdown

    I completely understand this!! Except, I have come to accept the 4am wake up. But since it’s been a few months of it and no matter what we try he will not give up the middle of the night cuddle/milk I suspect soon enough I’ll have to take your zen approach.

    Reply
    1. Sanibel Avatar
      Sanibel

      I realized I was just stressing over it too much and what was the point?! It clearly wasn’t changing.

      Reply
  2. Louise Avatar
    Louise

    Enjoy it, it ends far too soon!

    Reply
  3. kiwinadian Avatar
    kiwinadian

    Sending you a virtual coffee from Canada!

    I say “here here” and nod my head in agreement to your post. H should technically be going to bed without his bottle of milk that we have in the dark on his rocking chair. He can go to sleep without it. I know it, he knows it, we all know it. But I just love that quiet moment, in the dark room, with his little body curled up on my lap and him clutching his bottle and making the cute little gulping noises as he gobbles it back. It is the ONLY time of day where he isn’t all go-go-go and where we actually get to cuddle. I love it and know that the moment will only last so long before it will all change, so I’m cherishing it. Yeah, other moms might roll their eyes at me and tell me I’m creating a bad habit by still doing it. But I don’t get two sh*ts about what they think. It’s about my precious time with my baby before he becomes a full-fledged toddler. So I agree 100% with you choosing to keep going with what feels right to you and what is easiest. Those 10 minutes are nothing in the grand scheme of sleep and instead are providing you with the precious quiet moments with your little girl. You’re doing well! I love that you go with your own mama instincts instead of what society says is right or wrong. Bringing back the “old school” style of parenting instead of doing everything by the books or internet rules.

    Reply
    1. Sanibel Avatar
      Sanibel

      Amen to all of that:) And hey, they aren’t going to go to college with the sippy/bottle of milk so they will be fine!

      Reply
  4. speechbaby Avatar
    speechbaby

    Mama knows best, enjoy every moment! Besides, once you settle into a routine that works, a new one takes it’s place. Just gotta roll with the punches! Do they ever stop teething….geez?!?!

    Reply
  5. dirtymercy Avatar
    dirtymercy

    The best part of this post was the “so…I don’t have any advice for you other moms” – hahaha. I love it. I say that so often. That is essentially what it ALL boils down to. They don’t come with an instruction manual and every kid, temperament, personality, lifestyle and growth spurt is different. I am back and blogging after a while off – finally realized I need me time again, and here I am. I’m planning a big SLEEP post myself so keep on the look-out! Xx

    Reply
  6. Post Holidays and 14 Months | Through My Mistakes Avatar
    Post Holidays and 14 Months | Through My Mistakes

    […] for us.  Our schedules were completely off and we ran from here and there but somewhere in there, my terrible little sleeper, decided to start sleeping through the night.  Just like that.  No need for a cup of milk, no […]

    Reply

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