Sleep

I finally did it. Three nights ago, I got Jackson to sleep following all the rules. He slept swaddled, on his back, in his own bed. I thought it was the beginning of a new era for us where we'd no longer be breaking the sleep rules that will save his generation from the dread SIDS. The next night, I swaddled him all up and put him in bed, and he refused to sleep. So I handed him off to Jason for a few hours. He brought him back, I fed him, swaddled him, and put him in bed. He slept for an hour, then squirmed so much that I caved. I pulled him from his bed, and placed him in mine, on his side-belly to belly, under the covers, near the pillow, and we slept.

I wish I could follow the rules and get some sleep, but here's the secret. Babies don't like to sleep on their backs and alone. I don't blame them. I don't like to sleep on my back or alone either. The experts say that SIDS incidents have decreased 50% since they started the "Back to Sleep" campaign 20 years ago. But talking to other parents, I know that babies don't really sleep according to the rules. The "Back to Sleep" campaigns also coincides with the widespread use of baby monitors and avoidance of second hand smoke. I think the AMA should survey parents and find out what really reduced the incidents of SIDS and restore common sense to the sleep routine. Until then, I'll do whatever it takes to get a few hours of sleep each night, and keep hoping my baby sleeps soundly and safely.

ps. Congratulations to Jackson's friend, Braeden. He's the miracle baby who does sleep on his back, in his crib, alone, and even goes to sleep awake.