HI everyone. I am new to this board. I read the BW book (the first one) when my third baby was 6 weeks old. When I was finished I decided to implement and tried for three days. I gave up because she was sleeping a whole lot less than she was falling asleep after nursing. A habit I want to stop and I want to get her to learn to fall asleep without crying it out. One problem I had when doing this a few weeks ago is that I nurse and then bottle feed and then pump due to nursing issues - she cannot keep suction but I am still hoping there is hope for exclusive breastfeeding.
Before trying EASY the first time (she was 9 weeks at the time) she napped for 3 hrs in the morning and late afternoon with little catnaps in between and at night she would sleep 4-6 hrs her first stretch in the cradle and then 2-3 hrs in the cradle after eating and the third stretch would be in bed with me as I needed more sleep. In between these times I had to pump every feeding for 15 minutes even at the night time. So her good sleep really made things easier for the process.
When I started to do the EASY because i am sure the earlier they learn to fall asleep on their own the easier it would be she was 9 weeks old. She slept only 10-20 minutes for naps and at night got up every 2 hrs if not more. I know that it was something i would have to consistently work on and i beleive she would have it down by now if I kept going however, with the little sleep I got I wanted to give up the pumping and I really want to give her all breastmilk. So I went back to nursing her to sleep and she sleeps much better.
however, naps have been quite less but the night time is still good. Plus I want to teach her to fall asleep on her own without CIO which is what I did with my first two (please don't criticize we all got through it and I am closely bonded with my older two). I didn't know of any other way but was referred to the BW by friends and I find it to be much nicer way of getting a baby to sleep on their own.
Anyway, I am still doing the pumping routine. She is now 3 months old (tomorrow) and I need tips on starting this and keeping my sanity for the pumping sessions. We are going away on vacation this coming sunday so I plan to start when we get back. I figure it will be better at our own home and crib rather than somewhere else. I waited this long what is one more week.
I know she will cry in her crib and it may take the time i need to pump to get her to sleep with patting/shushing, etc. I don't want to hurt my supply as I had hard time getting it up again from our beginning troubles.
Thanks everyone for reading this far!
Take care
Christy
