We finally put the crib down to the lowest level tonight. I know, I know, the baby is 9 1/2 months already, but up until now has not been able to move in his sleep. He has been a happy swaddled baby for 9 1/2 MONTHS. We finally weaned him this past week from the confines of his miracle blanket. Well, actually, I say weaned him as if we did something, but really, he was just ready. One night I had to get up to flip him over onto his back about 6 times because he had rolled over in his sleep, but couldn't get himself back while swaddled. The next day I tried him with one arm out of his swaddle for his morning nap, and with no crying or fuss at all he just fell asleep. The naps were a bit short that day, and he was up a few times in the night, but really, it wasn't difficult at all.
It's strange that a baby just does things when ready. We had tried to wean him previously - I would try an arm out for a nap - and he would cry and cry until I'd swaddle him and he'd promptly fall asleep. I was really beginning to wonder if he would ever grow out of this! Silly me. You'd think I'd have learned by now. When kids are ready they will do it.
We have reached an entirely different sleep stage now - I LOVE having a baby that can cuddle up to me in the night when I pick him up to nurse. He strokes my arm so sweetly in his half asleep milk stupor. When I put him down for naps and bed I zip him into his little sleep sack and he bounces around in my arms and giggles at my songs and latches onto my chin, my arm, my cheek for good night kisses. Then I put him in his crib and he smooshes his head into his blankie and goes to sleep. My sweet Owen.
The stages will inevitably pass, and in each one there will be moments where I think that it will never be over. Then we'll begin something new and it will seem as if it was all a dream.
4 comments:
He's so darling. Glad you're on to new and wonderful stages.
aww, so precious! tristan was swaddled until close to 20 months old and samuel is still going strong at 11 months. like you, i tried the one arm out a few times and just have not been getting the "ready" signals yet. i have found that if samuel is unswaddled, he has an undeniable compulsion to stand up in his crib. he does this over and over, crying the entire time until i just give up and swaddle him and he then sleeps immeidately. ah well, one day it will happen for me too :)
That's fun that you get to cuddle him while he nurses at night now:). He's such a cutie!! I love the first picture of him all swaddled and smiling away - too cute!
little Colin...
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