It’s happening again. The rustle in the night, the pressure of tiny knees pressing at the end of the bed, the tiny warm body squeezing between us. The chatter.
“Mummy, I’m cold.”
“Daddy, I want some milk.”
“Mummy, is it morning now?”
“Daddy, I’m scared.”
“Mum, do dolphins have teeth?”
My little boy is a night person.
Not getting enough sleep is not only my problem. Hear Robin Bailey talk (and cry) about it on Mamamia’s podcast, The Well. (Post continues after audio.)
Parents of newborns look away now, but my Billy is four, and he has never, ever slept a whole night through without waking.
My first baby began to sleep “though the night” at eight months. At the time, I thought that was too old. I berated myself for not getting her to the sleep whisperer at six months.
I watched friends who refused to control-cry massaging their baby’s feet to get them to sleep until they were two. I thought (privately) they were crazy, and weak, and were letting their children walk all over them.
Top Comments
Yep you answered your own question, they do it because you let them. Do you also let play run on the road and fight with knives? Sleep is a very important factor in children's health, many parents overlook this and I think it's unfair.
Our 8 year old gave up her daytime nap at 15mths and until recently had only slept through the night on about 3 occasions when she was unwell. We had tried everything but when we raised it during our first visit to a paediatrician for an unrelated matter, she was prescribed melatonin and it worked immediately. She is now asleep by 9pm every night and doesn't wake till 7.30. Every parent who suffers with sleep deprivation will understand what a godsend that was to us and her. So, if you are zombie parent, I recommend a quick google of melatonin and then a chat with your health professional if you think it's something you want to try.