Laugh and Cry

Laughing baby

After shaking her to sleep for about a month, her weight, the time and energy is wearing us out. We seeked the advise of 2 of our friends who also have infants and let her cry it out to sleep. Our friends let their babies cry for 30 mins in the cot and when they are tired they will fall asleep on their own. Since there was 2 out of 2 success rate, we decided to try. After 2 attempts of letting her cry for 3omins, she still had not fallen asleep on her own in the cot. And it pains our heart to see her cry so horribly. So instead of allowing her to cry for half hour, we let her cry for 5-10mins before carrying her and rocking her to sleep for another 5 mins. If we pick her up and she doesn't fall asleep after 5 mins we put her down again and let her cry. Much better than rocking, shaking her to sleep for 30-45 mins. Moreover, it's a bad habit and it was also stressful going on outings if she had to be rocked to sleep because we can't bring the sarong every where we go. It is not so stressful now on outings largely because of our perspective change. If she cries in public so be it, cos we know that she'll wear herself out and fall asleep soon. Instead of trying to pacify her and walking round and round the shopping malls trying to get her to sleep. If she's tired she'll fall asleep as soon as we pick her up. Probably because she's a girl that's why she needs some TLC before she sleeps. The 2 friends who advised us had baby boys. Either that or she's really stubborn, or needs a longer weaning off period from the shaking. Thank God for a mother in law who is willing to adjust to our method. Caring and discipling children needs consistency yah. Initially she commented that it seems really cruel to allow her to cry for so long. But after 2 days, she realised it's much less work compared to shaking her to sleep. Also my hubby gave the example of grandmother letting Ruthie watch the TV if she pesters her next time instead of doing her homework. It's the same principle.

We were afraid also that all the crying would make her a unhappy and grouchy kid. Thank God that's not the case. It's still early to tell but I guess it's making her more independent. Since the crying to sleep, she doesn't cry when she wakes up now and she's able to fall back to sleep herself at times if she wakes up half way. We can still make her laugh. She's laughing and talking louder now. But whenever she laughs she gets hiccups. It's great joy seeing her laugh and smile. Thank God. :)

-Mummy