Sleep Training

Two little words that put excitement and fear into parents all over the world at once. A full 8 hours of restful sleep, alone, in my own bed. That sounds absolutely wonderful. I admit I spent the last two nights wondering if my kid was ever going to sleep again—teething and shots kept us up every hour, and tossing and turning in between. We woke up at 4:30 one day. But I remind myself it’s just for a time.

It’s just for a time that I won’t get a full nights sleep. It’s just for a time I’m so blessed to get baby snuggles. It’s just for a time that I get woken up by being smacked in the face by a baby hand. But it’s just for a time I get to hold those tiny precious hands in mine. It’s just for a time that I will be woken up at 1am, 2am, 3am, and 4:30am (for good). But it’s just for a time that I see people around the world waking up, see the sunrise, and talk to my (still awake in college) sister at 2am.

Infant sleep and cosleeping may not always be the most pleasant. But, after all, they’re hardwired to need us and we are created to be their parents. We’re not expected to sleep through the night, or never move. Let’s be real, there is that stash of snacks by my bed too. We complain about fasting for twelve hours straight-I’m sure our babies don’t want to do that either.

So if sleep training is what is necessary for you, or what works for your family, so some research on it and choose the best method for you and your child. But if you don’t want to give up those baby snuggles, or those 2am moments, it’s ok. It’s just for a time