Sleep Training

The Twin-Daddy and I have started sleep training Dominic and Alexander. The Twin-Daddy took on the difficult task of the bedtime shift over the past week (Mommy just couldn’t do it), but I have been working on their naptimes for consistency. We’ve set up a semi-structured day schedule (3 naps) with a fixed bedtime (7-7:30 PM), and we have a set bedtime ritual (nursing, diaper changes, PJs, dim lights, turtle nightlight, story (Goodnight Moon), songs, kisses and to bed). I’ve been setting up a naptime ritual as well and started using baby sign language too (though I’ll need to keep working on consistency).

We’ve got the boys doing a pretty good job of putting themselves to sleep at bedtime and starting to be better at naps too. Alex typically has an easier time of it. Tonight Alex fussed a wee bit and drifted off to sleep. Dom cooed to himself and rolled around for 10+ minutes, but he wasn’t crying.

I’m waiting to tackle the middle of the night feeding calls (1-2 per son right now) until after we start solid foods (and I read the next 2 chapters of the Sleep Lady’s book). I must admit that I’m dreading that phase of sleep training, but getting more than 3 hours of unbroken sleep a night will be worth it in the end.

Update on Tues., Jan. 25: Last night Alexander slept through the night! He woke a little early this morning (at around 6:10), but he entertained himself in bed until their 6:30 AM wake-up time. Dom woke up twice. One of the better nights of sleep I’ve had in the last few months.

Some recent photos from a brunch at the Black Bear Diner on Saturday, Jan. 22 and from the boys playing Sunday morning: