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Quiet
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Little man is 1 year old and every bit as curious, healthy and happy as I could hope for. There is only one tiny hiccup that I am beginning to concern myself with, though.
I have had him on a schedule since the early days and he goes down for naps/bedtime like a champ - no rocking, no bottle - he just wants his bear and passie and is out like a light. Wonderful! Now, his father and I are not loud people. What's more, I'm about as light a sleeper as there is and I have a complex that if I am even the least bit loud (even walking on my heels through the house, for example), then I'll wake him up. So I am pretty silent during his naps, and with no other children, adults or animals in the house (we also live out in the country), there is really no need for the house to be loud during those times he's asleep. I'm not ridiculous, of course, I still get things done.. just not slamming dishes or high volume war movies... He will sleep through alot after his bedtime at night, but during the day everything from the shower to a creaking floorboard seems to wake him up. And this is my fault because I've been too quiet, right? Nor will he fall asleep during a party or get-together, regardless of how tired he is... and I am worried that I've made him restless or something. My friends all encourage me to run the vaccuum, or put a radio in his room so that he will learn to sleep through things... but that is not really my way. And I do have a fan in there for white noise. They are also warning me that if I don't make a little more noise, then he'll require silence throughout his whole future in order to stay asleep, and that's not realistic either!! So... what do I do? I can't just suddenly become a loud person and/or incorporate lots of noise while he's sleeping, but I ABSOLUTELY want to avoid his inability to get to sleep or stay asleep without total quiet too!! Thoughts? I appreciate any and all constructive criticism. Posted on 05/16/08, 03:05 pm |
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My son is the same. He will go to sleep at the drop of a hat, as long as he has his blanket and pacy and his music is playing. If we have people over we put a box fan in his room to drown out the "adult" noise. The fan along with his music does the trick! However, if there are people there BEFORE he goes to sleep, then you can forget it. He is too curious! 
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UGH I have the same issue and it is a problem when she stays with my sister. I just never made noise it was always just me and her at home! If you figure something out, let me know!
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Another thing that we did when we were trying to get him used to it was the vacuum cleaner. I know that you said you didnt want to do that, but we did it a little different. We would turn the vacuum on before we put him to bed. We started out with it at the end of the hall, and then each night we would move it a little closer, until it was right outside his door. We would leave it there for about 10 minutes or so, until we saw him fall good and asleep through the video monitor. Then, instead of judt turning it off abruptly, we would slowly roll it back further away from his room until it was out of the hallway, then turn it off. Maybe that can work for your little guy and get him a bit more used to noise. You also might want to consider the possibility that it is just part of his innate sleep habits to be a light sleeper, because you are. Try to think of things that help you sleep more soundly. You could also try a sound machine. My husband has to use one of those to be able to sleep and drown out the sounds of my sons music coming from the baby monitor lol.
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I can't completely relate bacause my daughter has always been able to sleep through anything, and I mean anything! So not like me because I am a very light sleeper. I did notice a difference in her behaviors and sleeping patterns at about 1 though and I am pretty sure it was a separation issue. He might think when he hears a little noise that you could be leaving him and that might be upsetting him. You could try checking in on him periodically and giving him reassuring touches or words to let him know you're still there. Another idea is to have a baby monitor but switch it around so he gets the "parent" monitor and the other one is with you. That way he can hear you in the house. Another idea, and I hate to tell you, is that my daughter really started to give up naps after she turned 1. If she did take one it was only once a day and for a very short time like 30min to an hour. Not like her usual two naps a day at 2 hrs each. He could just be growing out of them. I hope this is a little helpful. Best of luck!
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I have never been super quiet around my daughter, but some things will wake her anyway. Things like the shower running or the toliet flushing (The restroom is right next door to her room) or the vacuum cleaner running or mom on the phone (A grand trick to wake her from one of her marathon afternoon sleeps when I know if it goes on any longer I'll be up until midnight is to open her door and phone someone. LOL!)
I honestly believe that some people are just lighter sleepers than others. My daughter gets it from her dad I think. It sure isn't from me: I HAVE slept through an earthquake :-D So don't take the "blame" on your shoulders.
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wonderful ideas! It really makes a difference to know that it's not just me and my neurosis being reflected on my poor child!
I hadn't considered his separation concern as a problem - and he has been waking up crying these last few weeks. And the gradual vaccuum noise is also a great idea! One other question, too - are sleep patterns genetic? My husband could sleep through an earthquake...while I wake up when a mouse farts. How much is wakefulness actually influenced by environment after all??
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