- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Midnight Nursings
Our Journey Toward Sleeping Through the Night By Jenn Director Knudsen
Alyssa suckled at the spoon and swallowed perhaps a tablespoon of the cereal. And she slept through the night. Next night, same thing. Dave and I are wary of saying the rice cereal is the root cause of a much-welcomed trend, but we're not going to argue with getting hours of extra shuteye each night.
Yet as my body slowly adjusts to nursing Alyssa one less time each day, a teeny part of me mourns. Yes, I was exhausted breastfeeding my daughter at 2 a.m., night after night, only to do so again, perhaps two, three or four hours later. But every time I rallied to feed her in the dark and chill of night by the dull glow of her nightlight, I felt blessed to be doing so. At no other time of day or night had nursing been as intimate, calm and relaxing as it was when the rest of the world it seemed was asleep.
So, do I miss holding Alyssa close, snuggling with her under a hand-made quilt every morning at 2 a.m.? Yes. But would I like her to revert to needing me in the middle of the night to return to sleep? No way. I'll always reflect with happiness on memories of black-of-night nursing sessions, while enjoying the novelty of feeling wide awake and alert during the day.
*Several controlled, research studies have shown that the addition of rice cereal to a baby's diet does not consistently produce all-night sleepers. Remember, adding solids before Baby is ready can have adverse effects on Baby's health.
