The S-word – sleep – is in short supply as a parent. That elusive full night of sleep is a milestone we’re all desperate to hit from around 8 months pregnant (sleeping heavily pregnant is HARD), and it’s one that doesn’t often come as quickly as we’d like in the land of Motherhood.
The evening Tabby turned 9 months, we decided to try her in her cot. After months of co-sleeping, and with each night having multiple wake-ups, we came to the conclusion that we didn’t have much to lose… Past attempts had been thwarted, so I handed her over to Nick (there’s no way she would have let me put her down) and in she went. And she slept. All night – with one wake up!
It was a miracle.
It’s been over a week since this happened. We had three nights of sleep with only a handful of wake-ups, and I felt both simultaneously like I had been hit by a bus and like I was on top of the world! Sadly, her autumn cold is thwarting the early morning snoozing at the moment, but she’s still spending the evening asleep in there, which has given us (some very welcome) time together.
It’s bittersweet that our co-sleeping journey is coming to an end. As with most milestones when you’re on your last baby, each one reached is met with celebration and an odd sadness.
I keep saying to Nick “This will be the last time this happens”. I sobbed as I sorted through tiny baby clothes; keeping the special ones, or the items all three have worn, knowing that the next baby to wear these may well be a grandchild.
As she’s currently busy cruising around furniture and standing unaided, we’re awaiting another big milestone: her first steps. And then we’ll have our final walker. Three of them stomping around the woods in yellow wellies, which will be amazing and once again, bittersweet.
The Emma’s Diary website has lots of information about your baby’s milestones – as well as creating this great infographic below:
And don’t forget – all babies are unique and grow at different rates. Don’t worry if your little one doesn’t match this pattern exactly. They might be a few weeks ahead on some things and slightly behind on others. Busby first started walking at around 14 months, whereas H-Bear was 10 months old! It usually evens out over time. However, if you’re concerned that your child has missed one or more important milestones, speak to your health visitor or GP.
I totally agreed with your, every baby is different. I remember the first 9 months were very difficult for me, since my daughter really did not sleep that much.
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I can sympathise with that completely!
The joys of a good night of sleep-both baby and parents-is something that we all look forward to when our kids are babies. One trick I tried with our kiddos when they were around 8-9 months was putting some infant cereal mixed in with their formula. The sensation of their bellies being full did the trick! Watching our babies hit those milestones is an awesome feeling.
That infographic is so handy! It can be tough to know at what age they are meant to be doing certain things. Jack and Olivia were so different!
I can’t even imagine how tough it must be to get that little sleep when you have a little one, but it might be so worth it x
I love that last photo of you – so sweet! 🙂
We never co-slept with any of our children. Although it meant getting up and down more in the nights it did mean that we each had our own space