NavBar NavBar NavBar NavBar NavBar NavBar

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Less is More

I just got schooled by my one week old.

Charlotte has her days and nights a little confused.  Seems appropriate considering the fact that she should still be tucked in my uterus for another few weeks.  During the day, she falls right to sleep after a feeding ... even with the noise of a two year old filling the background.  At night, when our world is so much more quiet, she's alert - love seeing her eyes open - and even a little restless.  Of course, I am ready for bed, so this presents a bit of a dilemma. 

I've been enjoying Charlotte's alertness but watching closely for signs of over-stimulation, a lesson I learned from NHV ... back in the day.  Tonight, CJV offered me a refresher course in this concept.

After several big yawns, the most classic newborn "I'm tired" sign, I took Charlotte upstairs, changed her poo-filled diaper (a task usually preformed just before feeding), and proceeded to rock, sing, and pat her to sleep.  I brought out my signature shushing.  In response, she squirmed and grimaced and seemed miserable. Twenty minutes later, I couldn't figure out what was "wrong" with her; she just wouldn't go to sleep. 

I got up from the glider, sat on the edge of the bed, and cuddled her close.  I stopped moving.  I stopped singing.  I stopped shushing.  I took a few deep breaths and allowed my mind to wonder.

Within two minutes, Charlotte was blissfully, completely ... asleep.




Clearly, when helping a newborn fall asleep, less is more.

Sidenote: In regards to this momma getting enough SLEEP, less is definitely NOT more!

9 comments:

Epiphius said...

E's signature move is to suck a couple fingers. I've only seen her yawn once or twice that I remember, but the finger sucking is a daily occurence.

Unknown said...

she is so beautiful.. sighs I would come babysit so you could sleep. I miss havng babies in the house but not enought o have another one lol.. Just need one to cuddle adn spoil before handing them back to mama.. And his is the perfect age, not old enough to talk back lol.

samantha said...

what a sweet photo!

similar experience here ~10 weeks with my daughter. i was trying all the normal tricks and she wouldn't settle down. put her in her crib and BOOM - asleep. i was so sad!

Evonne said...

What a precious picture!

I hope at some point (soon) you're able to get more sleep.

Miss Mel said...

She is stunning...no surprise there :)

Chi-town momma said...

Love her!
Revel in these moments when sleep comes to her with no effort. Sadly, as you know, they don't last forever...oh wait you are the momma to NHV, who is a sleep junky!!! Perhaps you will be blessed twice!

Go Zesty with Dee! said...

So sweet! It actually makes sense to me ... during the day I think in uterus they get lulled by our activity and probably even noise. So it totally makes sense to me that she calmed down when things were quite (which they usually are for you at night, right?) when things got quite. Glad you found the magic formula. I'll probably be calling soon for all these little reminders, since your a bit ahead of me in the game now :-) PS you coming over for a little photo shoot sometime????? :-)

Big Mama Cass said...

awwww hope you get some sleep soon!

supahmommy- somethin's wrong with that girl said...

oh soo beatiful and sweet and innocent.. may the world be beautiful for her.
xoxox

Blog Widget by LinkWithin