We had Mason's 6 month appointment today. I wanted a specific doctor who is always booked and that's why the appointment was 2 weeks after he turned 6 months.
He weighs 16 lbs 7 oz (although the nurse wrote down 4oz, but the scale said 7.2 to be exact). I am thrilled at his weight gain and have promised myself not to obsess over it anymore. I'm sure I'll find something else to obsess about. He's still in the 25th percentile for weight.
His length is 27.25 inches - still the 75th percentile. His head is down to the 5th percentile now (was at the 25th at birth and 10th at 4 month appointment) but the doctor and nurse didn't seem concerned. He's still growing so I guess that's good.
I had some issues about Mason's sleep that I brought up. I think I've mentioned in past posts that he was regressing. At 3 months I could put Mason in his crib and after fussing for a few minutes he would fall asleep. At 4 months he started becoming a lot more active and he would roll over and start screaming. I started swaddling him and then I would tuck another blanket into the crib so he couldn't roll around. At 6 1/2 months we're still doing this. You should've seen our pediatrician's face when I told her I was swaddling him. But hey, I did what I had to so he would sleep and I could sleep. Because of the way he acts when I put him in his crib without being swaddled I knew the only way to break the habit would be "cry it out" (CIO). Anyone that has kids knows how hard it is to listen to them cry. It just breaks my heart.
Most CIO advocates don't recommend using that method until at least 4 months, some say 6 months. I knew that 6 months was the earliest I wanted to do that. I bought Dr. Ferber's book Solve your Child's Sleep Problems but I haven't read it yet. I wanted to talk to M's pediatrician first and I'm going to try her method first (which seems very similar to Ferber from what I've heard about it).
He weighs 16 lbs 7 oz (although the nurse wrote down 4oz, but the scale said 7.2 to be exact). I am thrilled at his weight gain and have promised myself not to obsess over it anymore. I'm sure I'll find something else to obsess about. He's still in the 25th percentile for weight.
His length is 27.25 inches - still the 75th percentile. His head is down to the 5th percentile now (was at the 25th at birth and 10th at 4 month appointment) but the doctor and nurse didn't seem concerned. He's still growing so I guess that's good.
I had some issues about Mason's sleep that I brought up. I think I've mentioned in past posts that he was regressing. At 3 months I could put Mason in his crib and after fussing for a few minutes he would fall asleep. At 4 months he started becoming a lot more active and he would roll over and start screaming. I started swaddling him and then I would tuck another blanket into the crib so he couldn't roll around. At 6 1/2 months we're still doing this. You should've seen our pediatrician's face when I told her I was swaddling him. But hey, I did what I had to so he would sleep and I could sleep. Because of the way he acts when I put him in his crib without being swaddled I knew the only way to break the habit would be "cry it out" (CIO). Anyone that has kids knows how hard it is to listen to them cry. It just breaks my heart.
Most CIO advocates don't recommend using that method until at least 4 months, some say 6 months. I knew that 6 months was the earliest I wanted to do that. I bought Dr. Ferber's book Solve your Child's Sleep Problems but I haven't read it yet. I wanted to talk to M's pediatrician first and I'm going to try her method first (which seems very similar to Ferber from what I've heard about it).
She suggested starting with nap time. Give him a kiss and tell him it's time to go to sleep, put him in his crib and walk out of the room. Wait a couple minutes and if he's upset pick him up, tell him to calm down. Once he's calm tell him again it's time to go to sleep and leave. Extend each interval going in there and eventually he'll get so tired and fall asleep.
I decided to start with today. He was over tired after our appointment so when we got home I followed her instructions. I started with a couple minutes, then 5, 10 , 15 etc. I wasn't sure if it was going to work, but right at the end of the 20 minute interval HE FELL ASLEEP! No swaddle, no blankets - just him all by himself. I couldn't believe it. He only slept for an hour (his first nap of the day is usually about 2), but I will take what I can get. I'm NOT going to be swaddling my 5 year old. He needs to learn how to fall asleep on his own now so he will have good sleep habits as he gets older. Nap time rolled around again and it was feeding time so I nursed him (he fell asleep), put him in his crib where he fussed for a few seconds and then we fell back asleep. That nap was only 40ish minute. I'm hoping it works again tonight. I have a feeling I might be up a few more times than normal, but I figure I'll have a couple rough nights with him and then hopefully it's smooth sailing!
Proof of Mason sleeping w/o getting tied down:
Wow that was a long post. I usually don't write so much. I wonder if anyone actually got through it all, lol.
4 comments:
I got through the whole post :)
Im glad you're figuring out some of these sleep issues and hope it continues to get better for you.
I love the pic of Mason sleeping, he looks so peaceful!
Thanks Shannon. I hope we figure out these sleep issues too. It seems to be working though, last night was a breeze!
Yay for a good 6 month appointment. But I really need help with the sleep thing. Nothing like a 4 year old who makes the rules. So good for you!!
I got through the entire post! It is nice to see that someone else is having sleep problems. It makes me a nervous wreck and work is not easy making it to....oh well. She is getting better and I am not swaddling tonight. Fingers crossed!
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