Sleep Training – The First Night

The hardest part about sleep training is starting. There is so much anxiety about bedtime routine and lack of sleep that it keeps you from even starting in the first place.

But last night we started.

I learned so much about my son. I even laughed. Multiple times.

Lou needs to learn to go to sleep and Kady and I need to be able to bond at night. Basically we shorten the routine, use the same key phrases over and over, and only stay with him for a set period of time each time he gets out of bed.

Last night it took him an hour and forty five minutes to fall asleep. And amazingly it was the least frustrated I’ve been with him in a long time at bedtime.

I am amazed at his resilience as well as his creativity. The first time I left the room I think he was shocked. He crept out of bed and opened the door and saw me in the hallway. I walked him back to bed. The second time he opened the door, saw me, retreated, then peaked out again, saw me and tried to close the door.

The next time he brought me two pairs of shorts. Then another pair of shorts. Then a book. Then another book. Then turned on the light. Then didn’t come to the door and instead read on the floor in the dark.

My favorite was when he did a somersault back into bed.

My least favorite was when he screamed as loud as he could, but at least he got a release of his frustrations.

Then he pooped and peed through his diaper and pjs so had to be changed.

He tried to karate kick me dozens of times.

He finally started to get sleepy. Yawning. Eyelids getting heavy. By the last time I walked him back to bed he was too tired to climb in and lay limp like a slug on the side of the bed.

He finally fell asleep and I felt like we had taken a step forward together.

I know the next night is going to be hard but I’m glad we’ve started this process together. I want him to learn that he can fall asleep on his own. I want to empower him to sleep well and not rely on us to be there. I also don’t want to be mad at him for now knowing how to sleep anymore. It’s not his fault and he’s not intentionally trying to make us miserable. Even though I’m leaving the room it feels like I’m supporting him more than ever. That feels good.

I’ll update progress on tonight’s sleep training tomorrow.