You’ve likely come across the well-known advice, “Sleep when the baby sleeps.” Perhaps you’ve heard it, or maybe not—I mean, you’re only four months old. Regardless, as your mother, I can assure you this is the conventional wisdom.
Now, that 32-minute stretch you’re calling a “nap” doesn’t quite allow for any meaningful rest on my part. I’m not one of those people who can simply shut my eyes and drift off—that skill belongs to your father. With my mind racing through what to prepare for dinner, how to remove that permanent marker from your sibling, and other ponderings from my past, I find I have just about 60 seconds before your eyes pop open. Yes, I majored in English, but there’s your first math lesson.
On second thought, let’s forget about sleep. Once you finally drift off, there’s a to-do list waiting for me. I need to let the dog outside, take a shower, and sanitize your toys, the floor, and any other surfaces touched by your spit-up. At some point, I also need to get a bite to eat—anything besides slices of cheese would be delightful. And don’t even get me started on the mountain of laundry that’s taken residence on our bed. Could you possibly grant me a solid 90 minutes? An hour would suffice!
I understand that every baby has their own rhythm, but your sister could nap for two hours anytime, anywhere. When we decided to have a second child, we secretly hoped for a similar experience. We thought, “This is manageable!” But it seems we’ve reached our quota of one good sleeper—there’s apparently a rule somewhere stating parents can only be blessed with one child who sleeps soundly.
When those dark circles first appeared under my eyes, some well-meaning folks suggested I was at fault. “He should have a routine by now,” they said. “You just need to help him sleep.” Ah yes, help you sleep—why didn’t I think of that? Surely there must be a way to extend those naps.
I read about white noise, so I equipped your room with a powerful fan and a high-volume app that mimics the sound of an airplane. I also tried silence, which led to you being startled awake by the garbage truck and the gentle calls of a cat outside. Your naps didn’t even stretch beyond 20 minutes when I attempted that.
I learned that you might prefer being close to me, so I held you as you napped. However, it turns out that 32 minutes was all the closeness you needed. I also tried the motion trick, strapping you into your car seat and driving aimlessly for miles, only to have you wake up exactly 32 minutes from home.
Timing also became an obsession. I closely monitored your face for the precise moment your eyelids began to droop. “Don’t put him down too early,” they warned. “Don’t put him down when he’s overtired.” But alas, little one, I still haven’t cracked your unique “window of wakefulness” code, though I can accurately predict when your droopy eyes will reopen.
Look, being a baby is undoubtedly challenging. Your cozy womb is no longer your home, you’re still figuring out how to control your head, and teething is certainly no walk in the park. I’m on your side, but I need more than a 32-minute break to fully empathize with your plight.
So, until that day comes, I’ll be the one in the grocery store, anxiously rocking your covered stroller as we approach that crucial half-hour mark. I’ll avoid eye contact as you peek around the canopy because once you see me, it’s game over. But when you flash that adorable smile, I’ll remind myself just how lucky I am to have you.
It’s a good thing you’re so incredibly cute when you’re awake.
For further insights on parenting and home insemination, check out this resource on pregnancy and if you’re interested in more information about home insemination, visit this blog post.
Summary
Navigating the challenges of parenting, particularly regarding naptime, can be quite a journey. While a baby’s sleep schedule may not align with parental needs, understanding and adapting to these phases is essential. Each child is unique, and finding the right strategies can make a significant difference in both their sleep quality and your well-being.
Keyphrase
baby naptime challenges
Tags
[“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]