[karif1076]

Hey everyone....a first time mommy question here. We brought our son home yesterday and last night he slept in my arms in a chair (needless to say, I didn't get much sleep). We have been jumping at the first wimper. Tonight we're trying to let him cry a little to see if it is just tired crying but it is killing me here - is he really tired or is he scared? We have only been home two nights - last night we had a long day with the plane ride and it is very cold here compared to Guatemala. He was a very happy boy all day and I know that all babies cry but - how long do you let your baby cry at night before going into their room to pick them up? Thanks in advance.

Kari

[DD Amasa]

For the first month I went into his room whenever he cried or whimpered and rocked him back to sleep because I knew he was still adjusting to his new surroundings. I then very gradually increased the time I waited before going in so now after two months he pretty much goes back to sleep himself when he wakes up. I do think letting them cry it out works best but don't be in a rush. He needs some time to adjust and may wake up not knowing where he is which can be very scary.

[Niclayson]

Do you know your son's sleeping arrangements in Guatemala? If he slept in your arms last night, I'm thinking maybe he co-slept...and you may all get more sleep if you do this initially.

I would respond right away to crying during those first weeks home...this can be just like the newborn stage! He is probably scared, grieving, and yes very tired! He needs to know you will meet his every need.

Good luck. Sleep deprivation is hard.

[Hopingsoon]

We had the same problem, and somewhat still do. Up until the past week, DS barely napped, and up until 2 days ago, never slept through the night. I kept him in a crib, but did try to comfort him everytime he cried. I'm now trying to get him on a schedule so he knows what to expect, and gets sufficient sleep.

[Ms.Judi]

Elaina has been home 3 weeks today and I still go and get her when she wakes up crying. She co-slept with the FM but has slept in a crib (12 hours the first night
and on a couple of occassions I have brought her back to my bed to sleep with me. She has not learned to go back to sleep on her own yet and I am not ready for her to "cry" it out even though she is a year old. I rock her to sleep for bedtime and naps. I LOVE having her fall asleep in my arms. Do what is best for you and your son. Hang in there it will get better!!

[doghouse]

Our baby sleeps in her bouncy chair that is placed in a playpen next to my bed. She wears a pj jumper and her snowsuit. It is very soft and she loves the feel of being bundled up. I also rock her to sleep while giving her a bottle.

Now that she has been home since August, I do let her cry herself to sleep once in a while but this is very rare. She only whimpers a little then goes to sleep.

Your baby needs to know you will care for him/her. Right now you need to answer every little cry.

I have read that it will take one week for every month of age the baby is at the time of coming home to bond.

[amymole36]

Hannah has been home 3 months and I still go to her at night when she is crying. When she first came home...she was up every 20 minutes, so I gave her a little milk and held her until she fell back to sleep. My Dh had to sleep downstairs to get any sleep at all. After about a week of that...she woke up every hour...I did the same thing. After about a week of that...she slept for 2 or 3 hours at a time...you get the picture. We are now up to 8 hours...wake for a bottle and then sleep for another 3 hours.

It has been rough, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I took her from everything she had known for the first 5 months of her life and I wanted her to know that I will always love and care for her and give her everything she needs.

Hope things are looking up for you soon!!!!!!