Please join us to read Fuji’s story. Hers is the first of this article’s series where we talk about “Sleep in the first 1000 days of a child’s life”.
As parents, we know how important it is for our babies to have a good night’s sleep. Sleep is beneficial for them and for the parents that would otherwise have to deal with a cranky and uneasy baby.
My husband and I have been struggling to get our four-year-old on a sleeping routine since she was born and I believe this is a result of us overprotecting her since we made her get used to sleeping in our bed from day one.
When she was 4 months old, we got her to sleep in her crib by herself. Those brief couple of months were definitely great days, full of good sleep for us, but that did not last. Back then we were traveling quite a lot and it was just more convenient for her to sleep with us, rather than carrying a small crib or a pack- and-play everywhere we went.
We actually tried multiple times to make her sleep on her own, but this led to many failed attempts. She would get upset and she would make herself throw up out of frustration (even until this day). This made us worry and feel upset as well by the thought of her hurting herself since she could literally get asphyxiated in the process.
Years went by, and there were days where my oldest daughter would be able to make her sleep in her crib or with her, by tricking her little sister. When she would finally sleep in her crib or in her sister’s bed, my husband and I would realize how much we were used to her sleeping with us, hugging and cuddling with her, and our bed would feel so empty that we ended up bringing her back to our bed.
I have discussed with relatives and close friends about my two daughters’ sleeping routines and I have never received suggestions or negative inputs. I guess we as parents know that every child and every family is different. We are constantly trying new ways until we find the one that works best for us. As a mother, I am constantly learning from my mistakes and also keeping an open mind to what can be improved.
I’m sure there may be thousands of studies, articles, and information out there, about how bad it is for children to sleep with their parents, especially here in the U.S. where children are raised more independently than in Peru (where I am originally from).
Our little girl is so smart and sweet and has such an admirable sass and a confident personality, that inspires us every day. In the end, we know that it is about time for her to sleep by herself and that it will be a hard process not just for her but us as well.
For now, we will just live in this moment and enjoy the time we have together. Sooner or later there will come a time when she will ask out of her own to leave our bed for her own big girl bed anyways.
Fujiko is a photographer, HR associate, Business Administration student, and mom of two girls. She lives in North Carolina U.S.A. but she’s originally from Lima Peru. She also lived in Japan for 12 years so she knows exactly what it is to try and balance her life as a mother within those three cultures.
