Em's 5 months plus a week today and boy has she grown. Physically (about 7.5kg now) AND mentally :)
This is her trying to sit up just a couple of days shy of 5 months. So cute right... Knows how to use her hands to support herself. Clever girl!
She's also discovered a new muscle in her nose and has been showing off her new cheeky monkey smile, complete with sound effects (like a blowing of her nose as if she means to clear it of boogers). Very cute if I must say so myself :)
I've also been trying to elicit giggles from her but those are still quite rare. When they occur though, they are cute to the max and make me giggle as well. I can't wait for her to discover how to giggle and laugh out loud properly. Heehee ^.^
Anyway, at this age, everywhere I read (and even the PD) tell me she's supposed to sleep through the night. Well... Not happening! I've had a grand total of 2 nights where she's slept a good 5 and a half hours in one stretch and I used to enjoy 4 and a half hour stretches almost every night for at least one part of her sleep. But now even a 3 hour stretch is few and far between! What's going on?!?!?! She sleeps for only 2hrs+ each time she goes down now and then wakes only willing to be settled back to sleep by nursing. Gahhhhhh!!! It's like we've regressed! I seriously hope it's just another phase...
Either way, I've decided not to try and force her to sleep simply by patting or shushing or rocking or singing if she's going to be crying throughout anymore. Nursing her for 10-15 mins back to sleep is so much easier and peaceful for all. Sure, I may be "creating a bad habit", but there's also been research done that shows there's absolutely nothing wrong with nursing a baby to sleep. Except they may like it so much and get used to it so it's the only way they go down. But Em has managed to fall asleep at other times without the boob so I'm quite sure it's not such a bad habit. If anything, it soothes and calms her enough to put her to sleep so why not? I'm happy (for now) to sacrifice my sleep for hers and ensure she's comforted in a way she likes, rather than trying to "sleep train" her for my benefit.
Another saving grace is the Ergo carrier I've put to good use! I'm so glad she fits in it properly now cos seriously I can go anywhere with her as long as I have the carrier with me. She just likes being carried and I most definitely can't support her weight for long periods if not for the carrier. Holding her in it for naptimes is also currently the only way I can get her to nap for longer and wake up a happier baby. Win!
Oh! And I should mention that Em doesn't hate car rides anymore! She now sits smiling, playing with her toys, looking out the window, sucking on Sophie, even falls asleep! This is such a major milestone I didn't see coming so soon, but I'm ecstatic that it did. Car rides are just so much more pleasant and enjoyable for her and everyone now! Yay! Pat on the head for Emma!
Anyway, at this age, everywhere I read (and even the PD) tell me she's supposed to sleep through the night. Well... Not happening! I've had a grand total of 2 nights where she's slept a good 5 and a half hours in one stretch and I used to enjoy 4 and a half hour stretches almost every night for at least one part of her sleep. But now even a 3 hour stretch is few and far between! What's going on?!?!?! She sleeps for only 2hrs+ each time she goes down now and then wakes only willing to be settled back to sleep by nursing. Gahhhhhh!!! It's like we've regressed! I seriously hope it's just another phase...
Either way, I've decided not to try and force her to sleep simply by patting or shushing or rocking or singing if she's going to be crying throughout anymore. Nursing her for 10-15 mins back to sleep is so much easier and peaceful for all. Sure, I may be "creating a bad habit", but there's also been research done that shows there's absolutely nothing wrong with nursing a baby to sleep. Except they may like it so much and get used to it so it's the only way they go down. But Em has managed to fall asleep at other times without the boob so I'm quite sure it's not such a bad habit. If anything, it soothes and calms her enough to put her to sleep so why not? I'm happy (for now) to sacrifice my sleep for hers and ensure she's comforted in a way she likes, rather than trying to "sleep train" her for my benefit.
Another saving grace is the Ergo carrier I've put to good use! I'm so glad she fits in it properly now cos seriously I can go anywhere with her as long as I have the carrier with me. She just likes being carried and I most definitely can't support her weight for long periods if not for the carrier. Holding her in it for naptimes is also currently the only way I can get her to nap for longer and wake up a happier baby. Win!
Oh! And I should mention that Em doesn't hate car rides anymore! She now sits smiling, playing with her toys, looking out the window, sucking on Sophie, even falls asleep! This is such a major milestone I didn't see coming so soon, but I'm ecstatic that it did. Car rides are just so much more pleasant and enjoyable for her and everyone now! Yay! Pat on the head for Emma!
