Cry It Out

For the most part, Dominic has set his own bedtime. We let him stay up as long as he liked until he was tired. This would usually be around 11 at night. Hey, what can I say? he's a night owl like his Momma:) I would rock him to sleep and gently place him in his crib. Everyone told me not to do this because he would get used to it. But try telling that to a first time Mom that loves nothing more then holding her baby as nuzzles up to her and drifts off to la la land. I loved glancing down and seeing his sweet little mouth, his eyes closed and long eye lashes fanned out. His little tiny fingers curled around mine. It would be in those moments, sitting in the rocking chair in the darkness of his room, that I would thank God for this incredible gift. I would breathe deeply and hold him close, realizing that this is my life now. I would feel incredibly humbled and grateful for the blessing that is my son.

I wouldn't change all that for the world, but now it's time to buckle down and get him onto a schedule. We decided it was time for Dom to get used to a regular bedtime and sleep through the night. I have been dreading this moment because i can't bare the thought of him crying and me not comforting him. I knew it would take a lot of strength for me not to rush in there and scoop him up and rock him to sleep. But he needed to learn how to go to bed when he was still awake. It would be better for him and us.

Our doctor recommended letting him cry for 5 minutes then going in and comforting him, then leaving again and repeating every 5 minutes until he finally goes to sleep. She warned it could take 25 times and not to give up. Monday was the first night we let him "cry it out." Bath, bedtime at 8pm, some snuggles and then in the crib. My poor baby screamed bloody murder and i thought i was going to die. I felt horrible. but I followed the docs suggestion and after the third time, he went to sleep! he woke up at midnight and i repeated the process and it worked! Tues night same thing. Wednesday night he slept all the way through. Tonight, he cried for 2 mins and then went to sleep. I am totally amazed and proud of my boy!