Moms, Give Me Your Advice

Lincoln is 8.5 months old and does not sleep through the night. He has a bedtime routine and always goes to bed at the same time. On a good night he will wake up once, and then again for the day some time after 6:30. On a bad night he might be up several times.

In the past week I have allowed him to CIO if he has been up within the hour.

Generally speaking, CIO is not always a winner with him. I am learning that it works with some kids, not all, and that it is not to be relied on as a tried-and-true strategy for us.

Lately I am reading conflicting information from various doctors on when it is appropriate for a child to sleep through the night. I haven't asked my physician, but he was the one who told me to CIO to begin with so I am thinking that is what he might say. I have read from multiple sources that breastfed babies never fully sleep through the night till they are weaned.

When he only wakes once, I don't mind it too much. I know it won't be forever. I'm just not sure how I feel. He is stirring as I write this and he has been down for a mere hour. I read an article last week where the physician author said that babies do not have coping skills prior to 9 months so basically you're just hoping they wear themselves out.

I know I have sought advice on naps before, and we are doing better in that department, but I would really like to know what other nursing moms have experienced. (I know formula babies burn their food off slower.)

Too Soon?

I am really confused about the weeks versus months aspect of pregnancy. According to my common sense calculations, because I am approaching my 25th week, this puts me in my sixth month. According to an online resource I had been using to track viability, I am closer to month seven.

Whatever the case, isn't it way too soon to be uncomfortable during the night? Regardless of which side I try to lay on, bebe will kick me repetitively, which tells me he doesn't like my position? Supposedly sleeping on your back is bad, but it doesn't matter because I can't breathe anyway if I do!

So is it too soon to be a walrus?