night waking

Mostly, night time breastfeeds feel precious and beautiful. You know in your heart that these sweet moonlight cuddles will end soon but there are niggling doubts about night time nursing, especially if your baby is a ‘certain age’.

My stinging sleep deprived eyes would well up as I detailed my baby's wakeful habits and I'd cop the standard lines of, 'have you tried swaddling', 'putting him down drowsy but awake', 'bedtime routine', 'listen for his protest cry it's different to his emotional cry', 'it's because you're still feeding him', 'you need to not hold him, you've built…

You have followed your baby’s lead for a whole year (or more!) and there seems no sign that this child will ever sleep ‘all night’. You are wondering, ‘what have we done wrong?’ You are facing pressure from everyone, including your partner, that it’s time to make changes, even if that means tears (for you as well as your child). You can make…

I put you in your cot at night waiting for your call, When you cry I rush to you, bolting through your door, Gently picking you up I cradle you, I'm secretly glad you called for me so I can squeeze in some more love, As if I want to sleep all night missing out on our precious time, Your head is cradled on my arm as I hold you close to…