Month four was a whirlwind of changes for our little Harper. The biggest change is that she now sleeps in her nursery. I had intended to have her co-sleep in our bedroom for the AAP recommended six months, but I realized that keeping her there was more for my benefit than for hers. She would go to sleep so early and then we would have to shower and get ready for bed while she slept in her pack n’ play and she was waking up multiple times a night. When I saw how much better she slept in her own room, I knew we had made the right decision.
We made the transition to her crib during the dreaded four month sleep regression (which for us, actually started right at 3.5 months and is still somewhat present though to a lesser extent). We just figured it was a good time because it may be more difficult to make the transition once she is older and more aware of things. We wanted her to sleep comfortably and securely in her crib, in her own room.
So one night we just decided to go for it and remove her bumpers and the decorative bunting I had placed on the crib and see if she would sleep there. We gave her a bath and I rocked her in her glider as I fed her her last bottle and when she was still drowsy I placed her in her crib. That night, I think she woke up once at maybe 11 p.m. and then she slept through until about 6:30 a.m. The next night, she slept through the night until 7:30 a.m., which was a total fluke since it hasn’t happened since.
Harper sleeps on her stomach now and we find she sleeps more soundly that way. Initially I was really worried but she can roll both ways and has very good head control and a strong neck and she sleeps with her head to one side or another. We used a Snuza Hero breathing monitor for awhile to have some peace of mind. We had a few false alarms because it’s not as effective for stomach sleepers, but overall it helped me sleep a little better knowing she was wearing it. Now, we just use our Summer Infant Color Touch 2 video monitor but occasionally will also use the Snuza.
Anyway, for the past couple of weeks we are back to a few wake-ups during the night. She will wake up and let out a few cries, and sometimes all it takes is going into her room giving her her paci (it usually falls out when she sleeps) and we rub her back a little and she goes right back to sleep. Other times, she won’t stop crying and wants to be held for a bit. And rarely, she is actually hungry so we feed her if that’s the case. Most days she sleeps from about 7:30-5:00 a.m. 6 if we are lucky. But that includes a few wake-ups and us going into her room. Some people have told us to let her “cry it out” but I feel that if we can just go in there, give her a paci, and she goes right back to sleep it’s not worth it to let her get so upset that she’s screaming and then we have to start all over again. She is able to self-soothe because I put her in her crib drowsy and she does wake up and put her own paci back in or simply changes positions a bit and goes back to sleep so I’m not really sure if I’m messing things up or not but this is what’s working right now. And bless my husband, he’s getting up a lot to attend to her throughout the night because he knows I need to get sleep to maintain my milk supply (though honestly, I wake up every time she cries and each time he gets up anyway so we are both sleep deprived). The other night I actually did let her cry for about 7 minutes and she went back to sleep on her own. She was not crying very loudly or intensely so I decided to feel it out and see if she would settle on her own. It’s a hit or miss.
Overall though I do feel like we are making progress in the sleep department. I think every baby is so different so what works for one family may not work for another and I don’t really have strong opinions on what the right way to “sleep train” is. I’ve just been following her cues.
Here are Harper’s five month updates and photos:
Weight: The last time she was weighed was a month ago and she weighed 15 pounds. I would venture to guess she’s gained a pound since then.
Health: We are still using the Nose Freida on a daily basis to manage her congestion but other than that she has been healthy. I am so grateful that she did not catch my stomach virus or sinus infection. I even called the milk bank at my work and spoke with one of the lactation consultants because I wasn’t sure if it was still okay to give her my breastmilk when I was so ill. They told me that it was actually the best thing because your breastmilk forms antibodies to protect your baby when you are sick.
Sleep: I think I pretty much covered this in the opening paragraphs.
Social: I recently started an email chain with all of the moms from our daycare class so we can arrange playdates. We also take Harper everywhere with us and she just loves to look around at what’s happening around her. She even smiles at strangers when they smile at her and talk to her. Not in that “stranger danger” phase yet.
Diet: Harper continues to be exclusively fed expressed breast milk (read more about my pumping story here). Boy oh boy some days I love pumping and some days I really have to force myself to do it (especially that last pump before bed and the 5:30 a.m. pump). I think over time the novelty and excitement about it has worn off a bit and I have my days where I dread it…but overall I’m still happy to be doing it and thankful for my supply. The worst was pumping when I was sick. I felt so awful, exhausted and drained and the thought of pumping made me want to cry…but I knew I had to do it because getting mastitis would be 100 times worse than pumping while ill. I’ve almost reached my first goal of 6 months and I know I’ll make that one and my hope is that I will have the strength to continue for a full year.
Clothes: Harper is wearing 6, 6-12 and 9 month clothing. Baby clothes are so inconsistently sized depending on the brand. How did she get so big?!
Baby Gear Love: I am so behind on these posts…will try to get them up soon!
Likes: Sleeping on her stomach, Lulu (she is obsessed with him and laughs and smiles at him and watches him everywhere he does…she actually squeals with delight sometimes at him and it’s adorable), her bottles (she freaks when she sees it!), books (she gets so excited when we read books that she kicks her legs when you’re reading, her exersaucer (we have this Baby Einstein one), sitting up (she can tripod with her hands!), music (we have dance parties) and anything she can put in her mouth (so, basically ALL OF THE THINGS!) I recently started to make up songs with her name in them and she loves it when I sing her those songs. I am the worst singer ever but she digs it.
Postpartum: I’m coming to the conclusion that I may not work out in 2013…or much of 2014. I can’t find the energy or time. I know a lot of moms are able to somehow do it and I applaud them (seriously!) but I just don’t have it in me. I feel that pumping takes so much out of me (it can feel very draining, no pun intended) not to mention it’s time consuming so I’ve pretty much just come to terms with the fact that I’m not going to tone up anytime soon. But that’s okay. I am still burning lots of calories everyday by pumping and that’s how I justify to myself that I don’t work out. Lol.
The one thing we do need to focus on is eating less sweets. My husband and I have been indulging a little too much (Oreos are our mutual weakness) and we need to get back on track and practice a little more moderation than we have been. I blame sleep deprivation!
Now that it’s cooling down a bit in Houston, we may start taking long walks every morning on the weekends. I think that would be a good start in addition to eating less sweets (confession: I did consume some sour patch kids while writing this post).
As far as life in general, I feel pretty good about our routine. Some days I’m so busy that my days zoom by and other days I miss Harper so much that I just want to leave work super early to squeeze in a couple more hours with her.
The one thing we do need to focus on is eating less sweets. My husband and I have been indulging a little too much (Oreos are our mutual weakness) and we need to get back on track and practice a little more moderation than we have been. I blame sleep deprivation!
Now that it’s cooling down a bit in Houston, we may start taking long walks every morning on the weekends. I think that would be a good start in addition to eating less sweets (confession: I did consume some sour patch kids while writing this post).
As far as life in general, I feel pretty good about our routine. Some days I’m so busy that my days zoom by and other days I miss Harper so much that I just want to leave work super early to squeeze in a couple more hours with her.
Milestones: Harper can sit up now using her hands as a little tripod support! It’s so cute! She is babbling a lot, smiling a lot and we’ve gotten a few belly laughs out of her too. She can really hold and grab things well and she tries to scoot a little during tummy time (which she gets plenty of since she’s a tummy sleeper). She can turn pages of books on her own and overall she’s just much more interested in things and wants to put absolutely everything in her mouth. We love her so much.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a happy Sunday!
Harper is wearing…
Glitter skirt- Target
Onesie- H&M
Pink hair bow- Pretty Little Elm
Polka dot mint hair bow- CharlieCocos
Thanks for reading and I hope you all have a happy Sunday!
Harper is wearing…
Glitter skirt- Target
Onesie- H&M
Pink hair bow- Pretty Little Elm
Polka dot mint hair bow- CharlieCocos
Jenn P says
5 months and cute as can be! Each month keeps getting more and more fun. Enjoy her! xo ~Jenn
ps-one of my FAVE skirts I have for the girls. Go target!
http://www.twobytwomom.com
About Us says
Wow- I'm impressed by your pumping. You've done a great job through sickness and all. I have to tell you- my daughter (4) and I were shopping in Target and once we saw that skirt she was not leaving without it. I have to admit-I want it in my size!! It's adorable!! I want to find that striped blazer now…! Take care~
Amy Perez says
These pics are so great, she is such a cutie-pie. She is so lucky to have you and your husband as parents, you sound like a wonderful mom!
Ashley @ Words About Waverly says
Love her! And I'm with ya, I used to work out everyday and now that I have a daughter,it's pretty much a small miracle if I find the energy (or time!).
wordsaboutwaverly.blogspot.com
Megan {Willow Way Blog} says
What a sweetie! Glad to hear her sleep regression is improving! Olivia struggled from 5-7 months and has been a 12 hour sleeper since, so hang in there!!
Bailey says
These pictures all turned out so great! Glad to hear she is doing so well! Hope you continue feeling better!
Bailey
ticestidbits.blogspot.com
Whitney says
I've got to get that skirt and the headband! Too cute!
We put Noah in his crib around 4 to 5 months (I can't remember exactly) and he slept a lot better. A lot of our parenting is dictated by feeling. When I feel that he is ready (and it's safe of course) I give it a try. My son is 11 months and still freaks out when he sees a bottle! lol
Rachel says
She's so pretty! Love the pics…especially Lulu's cameo! 🙂
Ayesha says
I have nothing much to add except to say your daugther is abdolutely adorable! Love her red hair!!
Ash
Lizzy says
My daughter is 2 and 1/2 and I haven't started working out yet. (I also work full time too) But I have the attitude that my time is well spent with my little lady because you can't get that time back. Not to mention, you are pretty active running around after a toddler. I do miss my workouts but I know that when she is older and I am done having children I will start up again. Don't be too hard on yourself about workouts, enjoy life!! I love reading your blog!
Lizzy says
I work full time and have a 2 1/2 yr old daughter. I haven't worked out since she was born. I can't bear to go to the gym or for a run when I could be spending time with her. I also like to think you are pretty active running after a toddler. When I am done having kids I am sure I will get back into it, but until then, I am enjoying time with her. So don't be too hard on yourself. Live life and enjoy Harper!!!
Kadi Eller says
Harper looks so cute! 🙂
Caroline says
How precious and adorable is she? I love how chubby she's gotten! Happy Five Months to her, and you and K definitely deserve a few snaps for how amazingly you guys have adjusted 🙂
Nicole says
She is just adorable… she looks just like you but with your husband's coloring! I did basically what you are doing as far as sleep training. As my daughter got older, I gave her more and more time to sort herself out and fall back asleep. It's gets easier to tell what the problem is based on her cries… you kind of figure out when you need to go in there and when it's best to let her be for awhile. And I agree with you about sleeping in her own room… we all sleep soooo much better when everyone has their own space! You just gotta do what's best for your family!
Laura says
You have a beautiful little girl. She really is adorable. When it comes to sleep just do what is best for you and your husband and for Harper. My daughter is 14 months old and still doesn't sleep through the night. I don't think CIO will work for us, I just know my daughter. My only advice to you is to keep doing what you are doing, as little as possible to help her go back to sleep, and maybe to fuss a little and you are probably going to be on the right track. I think my only regret was that I didn't let my daughter try to work it out enough when she was younger, not cry, just fuss or complain a little bit. Now that she is older she can get much louder and for much longer! Sleep deprivation really sucks and the fact that you are so devoted to pumping can only make it harder I'm sure. Hang in there, you are doing great!
Shadia Brown says
We are pretty much on the same boat!! Even one hour of leaving work early makes me feel so much better. It's crazy. I decided to move my son's crib to my room and just have him sleep in there with us. I cannot get myself to put it in his room just yet. He is also the same way as Harper in that he gets up in the middle of the night because his paci falls out. It's good to have another mama that goes through the same thing!! Being a working mama is so hard and it feels good to relate to you.
babybuttonbrown.blogspot.com
Shadia Brown says
And of course Harper is sooo cute!!! 🙂
Stacy G says
I love the last few pics of Harper and my daughter definitely needs that skirt!
Tree Hugging Attorney says
I have a 5 week old and am considering getting a sleeping monitor (debating between the Angel Care mat and the Snuza). I was curious why you picked the Snuza and whether you thought Harper is ever uncomfortable because of the monitor's placement (particularly when she sleeps on her tummy)? I would really value your opinions!
[email protected] says
i read that the angelcare mats go off if the baby goes to a part of the crib that isn't covered…but snuzas can fall off too. I don't know why I chose the snuza…I guess I liked that it's portable. If I could go back, I might actually go with the mat (angelcare) only because with a stomach sleeper (which most babies become once they can roll both ways) I think the mat would be less of a hassle. Harper never seemed to have an issue with the monitor's placement bothering her, but we did have several false alarms (thankfully always when we were still awake and not in the middle of the night) because of her stomach sleeping and the monitor either moving or her putting so much pressure on it that it can't detect movement like it should. I have several friends who loved the angelcare. If she was a back sleeper, I think the Snuza would be perfect.
Pinkyprincess says
She'll sleep when she's ready! Ignore those trying to rush her by using forceful methods and well done on the pumping! What an achievement!
https://mispinkprincess.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1
Amy says
She is so beautiful!! Do you happen to know of any recommended baby food books? I am thinking about starting solids with my little one in the next month or two and wanted to make my own.
Britt R says
Oh I just love her updates! I feel the same way in regards to sleeping. Scarlett does the exact same thing/schedule. And we just re-paci her before she gets to worked up since she goes right back to sleep most of the time.
And I hear ya about working out. I don't think I will either. I don't wanna mess with my milk supply, and I noticed a drop in my supply when I pumped which scared me, so I stopped power walking 🙁 I just want the flab gone really. The whole not having tone bothers me, but I too feel better about burning calories each time I feed her lol. Now, I just gotta get a descent cover up to cover that flab for our beach vacay in dec- yikes!
Glad Harper is doing so well, she is just the cutest little girl!