Tuesday, March 24, 2009

It's Working!!!

Seriously, this new "sleep program" is working!  Ok, so here is what we've been doing - we do our regular bedtime routine, except that we used to read books while we laid in Poppy's bed, but now we read books in her rocking chair.  Then when we're done with books, it's lights out, I tuck her into her bed, and then I put a chair next to her bed and that is where I sit until she falls asleep.  The first night, she screamed her little head off because she did not want me to sit in a chair- she wanted me in bed with her.  She cried hard for 45 minutes, and I honestly didn't think I would make it through the first 10 minutes of her crying!  And I thought she would cry for hours, but suddenly at exactly 45 minutes, she took a deep breath, snuggled up to her blankie, and was asleep within minutes.  I was shocked that she didn't cry longer.  She woke up twice that night and each time I went into her room and told her it was sleepy-time and sat in the chair and each time she only cried for about 10 minutes and then fell back asleep.  When she woke up in the morning she was unusually cheery and just super happy.

Days 2 and 3 were pretty much the same, either Marc or I would sit in the chair next to her bed, but each night she has cried for 15 minutes less!  So last night she only cried for 15 minutes and then fell asleep.  And she barely cries at all when she wakes up during the night.

Now tonight, the directions said to move the chair closer to the door, half-way across her bedroom.  I was nervous that she would get really upset, but nope!  She barely cried at all!  Marc was on duty tonight, and I listened on the monitor, and all I heard was a couple minutes of crying (less than 5 minutes) and then she just kind of whined for a few more minutes and then fell asleep!  Can you believe that?  I can barely believe it myself.

We're supposed to leave the chair in the middle of the room for 3 nights, and then we move it to the doorway.  After 3 nights in the doorway, we'll try to just put her to bed and leave the room.  So far so good, keep your fingers crossed that it continues to work!

11 comments:

andrea said...

I am sooo... glad that the sleep program is working! It's funny to think that doctors really know what they're talking about. Keep up the good work. A restful nights sleep is just around the corner.

Christa said...

awesome news! so glad to hear its working!

saintlouisfricks said...

Good for you guys! It sounds like you found a great fit for your family. I hope the good stuff keeps up! Go Mom and Dad!!!

dana said...

that is incredible!! poppy is a star!! so happy for you all.

Chandra said...

That's awesome! I'm sure the first few nights were rough but I'm so glad she is adjusting well to the new sleep routine. Fingers crossed that it continues going well!

Marylou Slade said...

Progress! Congrats:-)

Michelle said...

If this totally works, you are such a rockstar! and so is Poppy!

stollmyheart said...

wow. that is awesome! i'm so glad it's working!!!!!!

saintlouisfricks said...

I forgot to ask... did the 45 min. of crying the first night feel like an ETERNITY or what?!

Nicole said...

YAYYYY!!!!! I am a regular reader of this lovely blog, but not much of a commenter. However, I am so excited this is working for you I just couldn't resist! We're first time parents in the process of adopting from Korea, and weirdly, one of my biggest worry/fears is lack of sleep. I've been reading with suspense to see how the sleep program is going and it's so encouraging to see that it's working well so far! Here's to your much improved sleep. We wish you continued luck!

Natalie said...

I am so happy that she is sleeping so well now (knock on wood)!! I knew you could all do it :) Life is much easier with some rest. Plus, as we have discussed before, I think changes and trying new things are harder for US than they are for them. PS. I think its time for MORE PICTURES PLEASE!!!!

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