Nightwakings

Nighttime parenting is a challenge. Everyone has their own advice of what you should or shouldn't be doing, and everyone who has a baby (or toddler or preschooler) that doesn't sleep through the night feels like they are the only ones and must be doing something wrong- and everyone who has a baby that does sleep through the night thinks all those other moms must be teaching their children bad sleep habits. You need to do what's best for your family. Growing up my mom always said, "A baby's cry is MEANT to be disturbing." And it is- which is why we have always choose to respond to our childrens needs (even at night) and to respect the only means of communication that they have at such a young age. But I must say, it is really interesting to follow non-sleepers into preschoolhood. (Yes, I probably just made up that word.) Lili is a sleep walker and sleep talker. She says some crazy things in her sleep, and oftentimes we'll see her on the bed standing up, pushing the air and talking to Cooper all while completely asleep. She also gets up at some point to use the bathroom most nights. And she is generally a light sleeper (except for baby cries, thank god!). Last night she woke up because she was around our friends cats, which made her throat scratchy so she wanted water. Once we gave her some water and she was wide awake, she asked, "Mama, after I finish my water, and after you get your jim jams on, and after you get into the bed, would you probably like me to come into your room and cuddle? Would you like to do that?" Who could resist that? But it is very interesting to see all of the things that do wake her up and how we respond. She initiated potty interest long before she was 2 and still wakes to pee at night. So I think she was waking up every time she wet as a baby because she's always been very aware of bodily functions. Which works out well now, since she hasn't used nappies (even at nighttime) for well over a year. I can count on one hand the number of accidents she has had in her bed, ever. She also has unlimited vocabulary at this point so we can kind of peak into her vivid dreams, which also disturb her sleep. I know that they have done that since she was tiny- I remember her standing on the bed when she was 12 months old clearly asleep and clearly talking about our neighbor Amy. I still get thirsty (and even hungry) in the middle of the night, so I really feel that is legit. And since she gets up to use the potty herself I don't worry about her drinking before bed. It's just a very interesting time in our lives to be able to see our kids both waking at night, but one able to communicate so effectively with us why she is waking, and the other communicating the only way he knows how at this point.