So for about a week and a half...or around the time we discovered our baby's first tooth...it has been harder to get her to settle down to sleep at night. Since she was born almost seven months ago, she has gone to sleep every night while nursing in our bed. It is relaxing for me and I LOVE having her next to me as I drift off to sleep. Sometimes over the last few months I've moved her over to her co-sleeper so I could get a little sleep in whatever position I chose, but she was still within inches from me while she slept and as soon as she would wake for the first time, I could move her right back to the breast for restful sleep.
Well suddenly this is different...she can't seem to fall asleep. I swear it must the the discomfort she's feeling from her teeth, but I cannot figure out how to make it better. Then, Megan, my partner makes a "crazy" suggestion: perhaps the baby would sleep better in her own crib...? What?! That's crazy! Fall asleep without me?! Impossible. I resist, but not for long because she's so sad and clearly tired. So, I give in...and Megan takes her across the hall, lays her in her crib, turns on the barely-ever-used monitor and returns to bed. I can hear my baby wimper a little for just a moment...then all I hear is the sweet sound of her breath in peaceful sleep!
I start to cry. Not because I'm happy she can sleep, but because I'm sad that she can sleep without her mama!
So this is the way it is now. She starts out in her own crib...and sleeps well. Then joins us again in the middle of the night. Can't believe I'm saying this...but I am so grateful she doesn't sleep though the night so I can still co-sleep with her at least a little bit.
So it is true...I need her as much if not more than she needs me!
