The Graduate

Miles graduated from Sleep Academy this week! We did a three-day intensive course in which we employed the "Cry-it-Out" strategy that many consider to be borderline child abuse. I had Views against this method, myself, feeling that it would teach my child that the Universe was indifferent to him and basically untrustworthy. I had no philosophical conversion, but my pediatrician assured me that at six months, Miles is too young to connect our not appearing when he summons us to any intention on our part. Three events this past week brought me to readiness for this ordeal.
1. Monday night (as in, 1/4). Miles was put down at 9pm. He got up at: 10:15, 10:50, 12, 12:50, 3:30, and 5:30. This isn't such an anomaly, either; he'd been averaging 3-4 wake-ups recently and I had as many excuses for him as there were nights. Which leads me to
2. Pediatrician Visit. (Stats below) Our wonderful Pediatrician shot through the last of my excuses by informing me that Miles' ear infection was GONE and that if he was having gas, he'd probably be experiencing it during the day, as well. She advised Sleep Rehab :-)
3. A personal anecdote from a friend and like-minded Mom of a 5-month old who recently let her son cry himself out and as a result, he is now sleeping THROUGH THE NIGHT. I could feel myself SALIVATING.

On Friday night, Miles treated us to two hours of almost non-stop crying, and I thought (and still think) that my child could out-cry any baby on the planet. And I almost climbed in and cried along with him. And I almost gave up. And then, about nine o'clock: SILENCE.

It's only gotten better. Saturday we had 30 minutes of crying; Sunday, 40 (relapse due to lack of naps and exhaustion) and Monday, 12. Today, Tuesday, was a record at only 9 minutes of crying before silence fell. And the required feedings are falling later and later, so that Sunday night, he officially SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! (that is, 9 until 5:45. Don't think WE got 8 hours of sleep, calm down now).

This has been one heck of a weary march for Papa and me, so you'll excuse us if we're excessively over the moon excited about our son's sleep progress.... and maybe have been a bit single-minded and unavailable. It'll pay off for more people than for us.

Sorry for the novel. (excited!). Check out: Solid Foods are now a regular feature!

Sitting up is a way of life!

And six-month stats: 27.5 inches (Yes I know he was also 27 inches at 4 months. They re-measured 4 times this month so there must have been Human Error. Or Miles is a Leprechaun. Or reality is fluid, not static. Or all three). 90-95% for height.
Weight: 16lbs 5oz (50%). Sliding into 6-9 month clothes (good heavens!). Time is FLYING.