Although a baby can’t talk, they are highly receptive to the environment and those caring for them. When you follow your baby’s lead as your health visitor or professional advises, it makes sense to do so. The problem is when you are following your baby’s lead and it feels hard work all the time, you literally haven’t got a clue where they are going or you are, it’s probably time for you to take the lead.
Help!
A new baby comes with no instructions and as they grow sleep changes, life can feel so out of control. We start to tell ourselves stories like, ‘I’m no good at being a parent’, ‘my child is different from everyone else’s’ , ‘my baby doesn’t nap or like much sleep’. You try harder and harder. The longer things go on for the more worried we become because it affects our ability to cope with looking after a baby and running a family. It feels so draining at times when all you want to do is enjoy your child or feel the same way as you do with your other child or friend with the ‘easy one’.
The less sleep we have the harder life feels. We ask family and they confirm what we are thinking. It makes you feel worse and sleep doesn’t improve month after month.
As children, we take on our parent’s worries and fears and makeup new stories too. Worse than that, we believe them for years, and even pass them on to the next generation.
So sometimes we need to trust ourselves, our own judgment, go with our gut and ignore what others tell you about your child’s sleep. As a loving parent who wants the best for your child, you will work it out. If you feel you can’t wait any longer you can make a choice and call a professional who knows more than you and can get you the results you want and take your fears away.
Having a routine will help steer your child’s sleep in the right direction and get your life back on track.
Good luck and hope you find your solution and start having more free time. You can’t beat a good routine with young children or animals!
Whatever level we are at, we are all the same. We all need our basic human needs to be met to perform at our best. When one part is missing or broken like a toy, a child will get upset. As an adult, it is assumed we know what to do and can fix ourselves or mostly ignore what’s going on.
If only life were that simple. Why do we complicate things, get frustrated, then give ourselves a hard time? Sleep is worth having if we want to live well and stay healthy and happy.
Are you getting your fair share, or would you like more? If you would like to discuss your family situation, we can work through a possible solution to get you back to your old self DM or visit www.sanitynanny.co.uk