Swaddle-gate

Emailed the sleep specialist this morning to say Audrey had still woken every hour or so in the night despite two additional feeds. She said it was time to lose the swaddle. Audrey seems unable to self soothe and being swaddled has become a crutch it seems. Like that damn dummy.

So today I started sleep training on her naps sans swaddle. Hell. Especially as am totally wiped out myself and something like that requires patience and calm. Neither of which I possess in my current state of mind.

It took so long to settle her without her swaddle but eventually after half hour battles at practically every nap time, she eventually fell asleep.

Apparently it takes babies 3 days to wean off bad habits and as I'm away in meetings in London tomorrow day 2 falls on my husband and poor mother-in-law. I will dread calling to check in if they go through what I've been through today. It was not fun.

A small part of me is excited about a day in London though. Am hoping to sleep on the train. And return at least slightly refreshed for day 3 of swaddle-gate. Here's hoping!

My lovely Chorlton neighbours Laura and Kate sensing my distress arrived this afternoon armed with cakes and toys for Audrey. They patiently listened to my woes and offered advice and suggestions. It was so lovely of them and it was nice to break up an otherwise horrific day.

Thanks again to all the other Mum blippers for your advice and words of support too. You must be so bored of my trials and tribulations with Audrey but you keep offering help and opinions and I am so grateful. I just want the strength (and sleep) to enjoy my baby girl and report happy times on this blog.

I hope these will come again soon.

My Mum and Dad discovered that Audrey loved to watch our goldfish, Colonel Smackdown swim about so I tried perching her on the sofa in front of the bowl tonight (see pic). She loved it and watched mesmerised as he swam in circles. Gorgeous girl.