For the past week, we have been working with a specialist to try to figure out Audrey’s sleep situation. One of the things we did find out is that her iron (ferritin) levels are very low which could be contributing to her restless legs throughout the night. So they put her on an iron supplement and we will re test her blood in a few months to check on those levels. Another thing I have been instructed to do is something I have been attempting for the past year: getting Audrey to fall asleep on her own.
I have constant guilt because I still rock her to sleep. Now, I do enjoy the cuddles, but it has simply been the easiest way to get her to sleep. I realize sleep training isn’t easy but nothing with Audrey ever Is…so therefore we have been rocking her.
Although I would love to not kill my back and make bed routine shorter, knowing that I get her to sleep gives me a sense of accomplishment. This may sound silly but sleep has never been easy for Audrey.
As a newborn, even before we had a diagnosis, she was always the baby who was awake. Never slept in the stroller, or the car, or out and about. I use to look at couples out to dinner with their newborn peacefully asleep in their carrier and think “wow Audrey never does that”
We use to joke when she was an infant that she just didn’t want to miss anything and wanted to be the life of the party. But deep down I knew this was odd for her to always be awake. It was as if the stimulation around her wouldn’t let her body rest until we were alone, at home and I was rocking her.
Needless to say, this sleep training week has been awful. Filled with tears from the both of us. A constant battle of letting her cry and letting my mom intuition take over. Giving in before she becomes hysterical has been the goal… which hasn’t worked each night. It’s definitely a work in progress and we are always trying something new. One day, MAYBE, we will all get the sleep we need!
Signed-one exhausted and drained special needs mom 😜
Kicking CASK 