Throughout the work day yesterday I dreaded the inevitable as the clock ticked closer and closer to 8:30pm - Kasen's bedtime. But I noticed something very interesting that hadn't quite been the case before - Kasen seemingly (and seamlessly) transitioned from the practice of eating to actually ENJOYING eating. He ate all of his meals and willingly opened his mouth for everything on his dinner menu. Last night was a balanced meal based on one of his favorite fruits, pears! The menu consisted of pureed chicken breast, pears, rice and chicken broth; peas and pears mixed with breastmilk; and mango and pears for dessert. To my surprise, he ate everything. I couldn't believe it. I'm usually prepared to eat the rest of his meals, but alas there was none for me left! What a pleasant surprise. Throughout dinner I said to Kasen - now Kasen, if you remember what it was like last night, you will do yourself and mommy and daddy a favor by realizing that we love you but that you need to learn to sleep on your own because you are a big boy...but that crying is not necessary. To quote Russell Peters, "Be a Man. Do the right thing!"
With bedtime a little later than normal at 8:30pm, I began his bedtime rituals, and turned on his nightlight. Read to him three books, and ended it with Goodnight Scout, and started to play his usual nighttime melody, and began to feed him his milk. He drank all 5 oz., and as I saw his eyelids droop, I moved him to his crib - drowsy, but awake. I held my breath, expecting him to start fussing and crying. What he did next surprised me - he rolled over to his side, clutched his blanket...and CLOSED HIS EYES! I walked away, only to return 5 minutes later seeing him fast asleep. I pulled his blanket up to his shoulders and was amazed - and shocked - by what just happened. Could he have really learned that fast!?
At 11pm I began to hear him stir. Again I waited outside our master door, holding my breath, quietly straining to hear any sound. A few grunts here and there...and then no sound. He fell asleep, all by himself within minutes!
At 2:30am he stirred again. With his actions at 11pm fresh on my mind, at 2:30am he fussed much more than he did in his previous wake, which led me to believe that he actually was hungry. I decided instead of going cold turkey on him that I would at least gradually wean him by feeding him if he really was hungry but reduce the amount of feedings gradually. Kasen ate 3 oz, and I saw his eyelids droop. I put him back in his crib sleepy. He didn't even put up a fight - just fell right back asleep.
Now while I'm ecstatic, I know it can't be this easy. So I'm taking it day by day, but being vigilant about helping my little man be a better sleeper. Maybe it's a combination of him learning fast with us introducing protein for his evening meals, and the fact that he is eating full meals now - who knows. But I am so pleased to have already began to see results - there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
A big thanks to all of the advice given to me by the Dragon baby mommies (the greatest tip I found was the consistency of bedtime rituals! This signals to baby that it's time to sleep!) - and Anna, Kelly, and Shruti for their advice, encouragement, and support!
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