I’m a bit frustrated.

I am having an incredibly hard time finding a balance between having Little Bug on a schedule and being flexible about the schedule.

I’ve struggled with this since her birth.

The month of December was by far the worst month yet as far as routines/schedules go. And that was after the glorious month of November where we had FINALLY gotten on a routine where Little Bug ate and slept within 30 minutes of the same time everyday.

Then December came and I guess she had a growth spurt, which always throws routines out the window.

But growth spurt is over and eating/sleep patterns are still in complete chaos.

Take today for an example: No nap has lasted longer than 45 minutes.

FRUSTRATING!

It is frustrating to me because I know how important sleep is to an infant. And 45 minute naps don’t cut it for Little Bug. So she is cranky, gets overtired and then the cycle just repeats throughout the entire day.

And the most frustrating part of all? I don’t know how to fix it!!

The possibilities for her sleep disruptions are endless too, which makes finding the culprit and a solution that much harder.

It could be: teething, being over tired, developmental disruptions because she wants so bad to crawl, hot, cold, growth spurt … and the list could go on, I’m sure.

It is also frustrating because just when things finally settle into a routine, something happens!

At the beginning of December, when things went crazy, I am most certain it was a growth spurt.

Will we EVER get back to a predictable routine? On days like today, it feels like we never will!

I try to find a balance. I am very conscious of Little Bug’s need for a nap because I know a baby that gets good sleep is a happy baby. But at the same time, I don’t want to be held captive to my own home because of nap schedules so some flexibility is necessary!

I know constantly being on the go and my child never taking a consistent nap at around the same time every day will only make for a chronically tired, cranky (and eventually when she is a toddler, disobedient) baby.

So where is the balance???

I have found many a solutions at the Babywise Blog written by a woman with three children.

But honestly, today, her blog irks me!

She writes a weekly post about her infant and it seems she NEVER has eating or sleeping issues with her!

So of course I think, “What am I doing wrong?”

Babywise (and in particular, this woman’s blog) is full of so much helpful knowledge that allows you to troubleshoot why baby is not eating/sleeping well and then it/she gives you “tricks” to solve the problem.

If it weren’t for Babywise & her blog I wouldn’t know that:

• Babies transition into deep sleep after 45 minutes and often awaken at this time.
• How important adequate sleep is for the infant/young child.
• An overtired baby won’t nap well.
• How to do Cry It Out responsibly & strategically to help baby learn the art of sleeping so that baby gets adequate amounts of sleep throughout the day and night.

I sometimes get so overwhelmed when I read her blog, because doing Babywise to her seems so easy, but all of the above information is, I believe, critical that parents of a baby are aware of!

I just wish I had the knowledge that mom has – especially on days like today!

- Elaine