All Night Long (and gratuitous photos of Ben sleeping)

I think one of the most common questions new parents are asked is, “Oh, does the baby sleep through the night yet?”  Honestly, I cannot even tell you how many times I have been asked this.  If I had a nickel… well, I won’t even go there.  Needless to say, I’d never have to work again. 

Why is this such a common question?  Maybe a “filler” because people don’t know what else to ask, and everyone knows new parents don’t get much sleep?  Legit I had people asking this pretty much since we returned home from the hospital.  Let’s consider how small a newborn’s stomach is, and how often they dirty a diaper...  Chew on that for a minute and then tell me if you really want to ask your question.  Yes, some babies do sleep all night from very early on, but many don’t.  I prefer the much more innocent and much more reasonable, “Oh, how is Ben sleeping?” or “What is his sleep schedule like?” or “You must be exhausted, can I give you a massage?” Hehehe…

Passed out, sitting up in his “straightjacket” after a good amount of teething screaming…

Benjamin most certainly does not sleep through the night, and I get mildly irritated by people who seem completely aghast when I tell them he doesn’t sleep all night long.  For real?  He’s 3 months old.  I am not even expecting him to sleep through the night for at least another 3 months at best.  If you’re interested in knowing, then don’t be all bug-eyed and concerned when I say no.  I have a lot of friends with kids and from what I’ve gathered, kids don’t reliably sleep through the night until they’re pretty freaking old.  Reliably being the key term.  I mean not getting up at all at night, every night, for weeks on end.  THAT is a child that sleeps through the night!

Cute? Yes. Does he look like this all night? No.

Now, Ben technically DOES occasionally sleep through the night via the medical definition.  Do you know the medical definition of “sleeping through the night” is midnight ‘til 5 am?  I want to know what kind of a sick freak invented that definition.  How the heck is that a whole night’s sleep for anyone? 

To be honest, I really have no idea how long Ben sleeps because he’s in the co-sleeper (best invention of all time, and many thanks to my most wonderful friend Meghan who is letting us borrow hers!) so I just pull him in bed when he wakes up, feed him, and fall back to sleep.  I hardly even open my eyes, let alone look at a clock.  I do know he’s been going for longer stretches.  How do I know this?  Because when he sleeps longer, I wake up in pain with boobs like cantaloupes, and I begin to silently beg him to wake up and eat so I can get sweet relief.

And as for me?  Totally not concerned.  I actually cannot remember the last time I slept for 8 consecutive hours. It’s getting close to a year I think, what with all the pee trips during pregnancy and all.  So, I’m pretty used to getting up.  I’m a superfreak about SIDS (read: completely, utterly terrified) and don’t plan on even thinking about Ben sleeping in his crib until he’s at least 6 months (Plus, how the heck could I check to see if he’s breathing every hour all night long, if he’s in another room? Hehehe.  But for real.  I can’t stop myself. I’ve poked him at least 3 times while writing this post.) – though, with his superhero growth rate, I’m not sure the co-sleeper will last that long.  At which point, we’ll pull out the pack ‘n play or I’ll start sleeping on the floor next to his crib (I kid, I kid.  Okay, somewhat serious…).

Sweet dreams!

Heather

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