I have been trying a few methods this week with Ezra. He had his one year appointment last Monday which means before his next appointment, we need to accomplish several things: 1) no bottles, 2) drinks whole milk, no more formula, 3) falls asleep on his own, 4) using a spoon to feed self.
I've been trying out a mix of the cry it out method with Ezra and a method that puts me a little more at ease by sitting towards the door in his room and making "shhhh" sounds. Just to let him know that I am still there for him, but that he needs to fall asleep on his own. Today was the first day we were able to try it with naps and tonight will be night 3 of bedtime. I can honestly say that he cries a little less every time, but it is hard to listen to him cry. After reading a book to guide you through child rearing, I realized that we should have started this with him when he was 4-6 months. But I figure it's never too late, until he's five and still sleeps in a crib. (Just kidding!) I don't think it will be good for him if that were the case.
Now my mom does not agree with this idea of him falling asleep on his own which she rocked myself and two siblings to sleep until we were two. But I hope she will respect our wishes and not divert back to old patterns.
He's also not getting daytime bottles, but one bottle in the evening. And he's almost completely on whole milk. I want to be able to show that I can train him to do the things that a full time mommy would be able to do, but I can not (at the present time) be home with him full time. I also do not want to expect my childcare lady to do this for me. Just add to these routines, I have established for him.
Supermom on spring break will continue after a few more days of crying and sleeping on his own.
