Last night Avelyn woke up at 1:30 am. I walked into her room and handed her a bottle of water, instead of her usual milk. I thought, “Maybe she won’t even notice. Maybe she just needs to suck on something, anything, and the water will suffice and she’ll fall back asleep.”
I thought wrong.
Upon her first taste of the thin, unsatisfying water she stood up in her crib, screamed like I’ve never heard her scream before, and proceeded to bang her despised bottle of water against the slats of her crib like an angered prisoner clanging a pot against the bars of his cell door.Â
I caved and gave her some milk, but only because I still have a couple days of full-time work left and figured I needed my sleep more than I needed to be a consistent parent. At least that’s how I felt at 1:30 in the morning.
Come Wednesday, I lay the smack down.Â
This kid’s gonna sleep.Â
I didn’t want it to come to this but I think we’re in for three nights (minimum) of midnight baby rage.Â
Can’t wait.
17 Comments
Tough Love – hard to discipline this adorable little girl – but a must, or she’ll run your life. Besides, discipline is good for everyone! A little swat on the bum speaks volumes.
I think I may have even given you a little swat when you were young… even as cute as you were at that age. I don’t think that weekend in Victoria, years ago, left any emotional scars. You have turned out to be a great mom!
Love ya!
Good luck Amanda! Get that little girl sleeping through the night.
I’ve got your back with as much DC is necessary to get through the days ;)
Hey I’ve been reading Baby Whisperer and she has some pretty good techniques to try to get baby to sleep through the night….
“I lay the smack down…” man, you are a tough mommy – ha ha. good luck. I remember one night when I was trying to break my son of crying for us just because he woke up (nothing was wrong…) we let him cry and it was horrible. HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS of wailing. But, it only happened one night and it cured him! So, you have to get tough, but it sucks :(
if you succeed – you will inspire many others to greatness. God Speed!
Armageddon draweth nigh.
Lay the smack down? Who was it that just said last night, “I prefer the gentler methods!?” We all know that little darlin’ has us all wrapped around her little finger. And so it should be….I could never let my little demons, umm, I mean angels, scream for long. She, & you will work it out.
Stay strong, it does pay off in the end. I have watched the baby whisperer on TV and she does have some good ideas. They do involve some tears (on both mom and child), but in the end everyone ends up happier and better rested. It isn’t easy to be consistent when you are tired. Good luck!
If tough love fails try booze, for you not the baby…or maybe for the baby. My dad used to get me good and buzzed so I’d sleep.
I can just picture her little face!Hang in for the ride–she sounds like she could take on a whole army of mommys with her hand tied behind her back. Remember when I told you that some children are prepared to die for their stand? Let’s hope she’s not one of them,but if she is,I know you can deal with it,because the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
Well, I guess I can’t say poor Avelyn this time, it’s poor you! I can’t imagine saying no to her sweet little face! Good luck!
dirty dirty trick woman
My sympathy.
I have to take away the pacifier from my daughter soon and I’m breaking out in a sweat just thinking about the screaming I’m going to have to endure.
Good luck!
we’ve had the same thing breaking D off the breastmilk at 5am. Full on temper tantrums, complete with writhing on the floor! Finally we’ve met in the middle – he gets a banana instead and then goes back to sleep. Bananas are way better than breastmilk as they can be dispensed by either parent….
I totally understand your situation.
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