The Adventures in Sleep Training (Pt. 3)

Yorlee has been spending a least half of the night in her crib since Sunday.  I must admit, I really enjoy being able to stretch out in my bed every night!

Her daycare provider has been keeping her up during the day, and it has really made a difference.  Before, they would let her sleep all day, so when she came home she wasn't really tired.  Now, she is on a schedule.  I think that the consistancy has definitely helped her remain more calm and content.

She is really changing.  Her personality is much more calm now that she knows that she can sleep in her crib, and I will come back to her when she needs me.  I think the way it worked out is much better than the Cry It Out method.  Sure, I still have to put her to sleep before she is placed in her crib, but if you look at where we started, things are going great!

One other thing that has made a difference is that I started to eliminate dairy from my diet, and we switched her to Soy formula.  Her pediatrician and I noticed that she was breaking out with rashes and looked like she had eczema.  She also was more fussy, although she wasn't spitting up, it seems like she has a milk allergy.  We are not 100% sure, but she has been happier and sleeping better, so either way it's been a positive change.  Her skin rashes are healing, and the discoloration on her face is fading.  She is still nursing, but due to demands at my job I wasn't able to pump regularly enough to keep an adequate supply.  I stopped pumping at work and only nurse her when I'm at home with her and during the weekends.  My "mommy guilt" isn't so bad because she's still getting my milk, and my nerves aren't so bad because I don't have to pump at work.  Sometimes I try to pump extra on the weekends so I can send a bottle or two to daycare with her, but if I don't do it, I don't feel horrible.

All in all, things are smoothing out for us.

As a side note, Vick's Baby Rub works WONDERS!  I put a nice coating on the bottom of Yorlee's feet when she had a cold last week and covered it with her socks.  She was able to breathe so much better and was less congested.  It may sound weird, but it works.  Her pediatrician recommends it also.  Just make sure you don't use regular Vick's.

Have a great day!