Sleeping Through The Night

I desperately need my sleep. I have always loved {and NEEDED} my whole full nights rest to function throughout the day. I truly believe in beauty rest – not only for outward beauty, but for inward beauty. If I don’t get my full seven to eight hours of sleep at night, I am little Miss Grumpy! Seriously! In fact, the other day I recognized my bad attitude so I told my husband, “I just need to go to bed! I am so mean right now!” And I went to sleep and it was lovely!

3 Tips To Remember While Sleep TrainingPhoto by ArtByDesignLV

When I became a mom I learned very quickly that I was going to have to learn to adjust my schedule. The moment the doctor laid Laila in my arms the first time, I knew my life had changed forever. It wasn’t about me anymore… I was responsible to take care of another human being. I quickly had to learn how to become more selfless and less selfish. This sweet baby I held in my arms, as tears filled my eyes, was what I had hoped, dreamed and prayed for, for many years. I honestly never knew I could fall in love with someone so quickly.

The first night in the hospital seemed unreal and kind of like a big haze to be honest. Nurses coming in to take tests on Laila and I, machines making loud noises, our sweet new baby waking up every two hours to eat, not to mention the whirlwind of thoughts running through my mind as I tried to convince myself of the reality that I WAS A MOM! We didn’t get much sleep that night, or the next night… or the next.

Everyone will tell you as an expecting mom, “Enjoy your rest now!” BUT I honestly don’t think you realize what they truly mean until you have a baby. It is exhausting, tiring and overwhelming. I remember feeding Laila at 3am each night – cherishing the special moment of having a baby, while being a little jealous of my husband sleeping next to me. {Don’t get me wrong – he got up with the baby just as much as I did!! I was just nursing, so often times he was able to go back to sleep, while I got my cuddles in with our baby girl.}

I did a LOT of baby research before I became a mom. I was on bed rest for nearly five months, so I had a lot of time on my hands. I read some amazing books like Baby Wise, The Baby Whisperer , Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby and of course, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. {I love that movie too!}  Each of these books gave me different ideas on how to get my baby to sleep through the night, but I never felt right about one solid sleep habit book. I loved one thing about one of the books and I loved another thing out of the other book. SO – I created my own way to get Laila to sleep through the night.


EVERYONE in the world has different ideas on sleeping schedules and remedies for babies. And let me tell you – EVERYONE will want to tell you what they believe in and that their way is the only way. I am here to tell you, that that isn’t true. I believe that EVERY baby is different. EVERY mom is different. EVERY situation is different. You need to do, what you think is best for you, your baby and your family. Some moms believe in the “cry it out method.” Some moms believe in co-sleeping. Some moms believe in rocking their babies to sleep. There are so many ideas and opinions out there and ultimately it is up to you, as the mom, how you would like to parent.

Did you know that a baby isn’t supposed to sleep through the night at 6 weeks old? Someone told me that their baby was sleeping through the night at six weeks old and I just knew my baby was going to be a little angel too and would be doing that if it was possible! WELL – six weeks FLEW by as a first-time-mom and I suddenly realized it hadn’t happened yet. Why was my baby still waking up every 3-4 hours to eat at six weeks old?! I asked my doctor and he replied, “Because it is normal.”

You will find a lot of different Baby Sleep Chart’s, but I loved this one. To me, it is the most real and most accurate I have seen. Babies get hungry – they need to eat! So it is okay and absolutely normal for them to wake up in the middle of the night to eat.

Baby Sleep Chart

I have come up with THREE Helpful Tips to remember as you prepare your baby to sleep through the night. I understand that this is what worked for me and may not work for all of you – but these are my ideas that I am happy to share with you!

1. SET A ROUTINE: This is by far the most important thing we EVER did with Laila. The first five months of parenthood was so fun for us! We absolutely cherished every minute. Laila slept in a bassinet next to us in our room. As a new mom, I was always afraid of SIDS and I found a lot of comfort having her sleep in my room near me. I loved hearing her little sounds and knowing that she was okay.

After she turned five months old, we knew it was time for her to move into her own room. This was honestly scary for me. I didn’t know how I would handle her not being near us, but now I know it was best for our family. Often times up until this point, we would have her fall asleep in our arms, cuddling. We love our cuddles to this day, but knew it was important for her to learn how to fall asleep on her own. Not only for herself, but we were missing the “us” time as husband and wife.

This was when a schedule became most important. Every night we would EAT dinner, take a BATH, give her a BOTTLE, READ a book, SING a song, SAY a prayer, PUT her in the crib, TURN off the lights and WALK out. This was our schedule and it worked! In fact, it STUCK! And we have done it EVERY day since. To this day, if she misses a step in her schedule, she sometimes has a harder time sleeping through the night. She loves her routines – BABIES love routines.

I may get ridiculed for this, but I do not believe in the “cry it out” method. I never have and never will. I heard a friend once say, “Why have a baby if you are just going to let them cry?” And I couldn’t agree more. I can’t stand letting Laila cry, so I don’t. I have never let her cry it out and she has been going to sleep on her own since and sleeping through the night (8 hours) since she was six months old. She now sleeps 12 hours straight through the night and LOVES bed time! She loves her crib and it is a peaceful time for her – even when she wakes up, she doesn’t cry. She either plays in her crib until we go check on her or says, “MA-MA-MA-MA” and bangs on her bed. 🙂

Make sure you create a schedule, that way they can recognize what is going to happen next. When Laila gets in the bath – she knows it is play time and splash time! But once she is dressed and has her bottle and book, she knows we are calming down and it is quiet time.

2. MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE: Overnight Diapers were the best thing we ever purchased! When Laila started sleeping longer than just a few hours at night, she would wake up SOAKED! That was when we purchased Pamper’s Overnight Diapers and they worked like a charm! She never woke up soaked again. They absorbed everything throughout the whole night and she was able to sleep DRY!

We also put up black out shades which literally saved the day! Not only do they help with the morning sun, but her naps are longer and better too as her room stays dark all day long!

One other thing that helped me, {not so much her} was a camera in her room. Like I mentioned before, I was scared to have her leave my bedroom. It was such a big deal for me! We got a web Camerathat connects to our iPhones and brought me SO much comfort those first few months of her sleeping in the her own room. I was able to chime into the camera and see her sleeping peacefully and breathing, which put my mind at ease.

3. YOU ARE THEIR MOM, LOVE THEM: This is so important to remember. YOU are their MOM! YOU know what is best for your little one. Always remember that and don’t let someone tell you that you are doing it wrong. If it works for you – perfect! I was actually nervous I wasn’t going to have those “motherly instincts” everyone always talks about. But, they really do come! The first time I saw Laila, I had a connection with her. She needed me and I needed her. I don’t always know what she needs, but for the most part as moms we learn how to handle our children. Most newborns cry because they are hungry or need a diaper change. As their mom, you will learn how to meet their needs.

LOVE them. Hold them. Cuddle them. Kiss them. Cherish them. I promise – they grow SO quickly!

I hope you treasure motherhood. I hope you love your babies! Becoming a mom is a lot of work – but beyond worth it! I wish you the best of luck as you go through the journey of getting your baby to sleep. Always remember those little moments of rocking your baby or cuddling their little bodies on your chest. They grow so fast and before you know it – they will be sleeping 12 hours a night and you will be missing those middle of the night feedings and tiny fragile baby features.

There is no way to be a perfect mother

“There is no way to be a PERFECT mom… but a MILLION ways to be a GOOD one.” – Jill Churchill

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21 Comments on Sleeping Through The Night

  1. Samantha
    May 12, 2014 at 11:49 pm (10 years ago)

    I just happened to stumble across your blog from Pinterest, and I am SO happy that I found you!! I too have read all the baby book and have received countless snippets of advice…but nothing that I really agree with or relate to! When I see someone else saying “why let them cry it out” I find my self saying “Omgosh yes, see I am not a crazy first time Mom!” LOL!
    I just became a first time Mom 4/4/14 and boy has my world changed! Thank you for your advice and wisdom, your information is so valuable to my child and marriage! THANK YOU!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      May 13, 2014 at 10:56 pm (10 years ago)

      Hi Samantha! Thank you so much for stopping by! I am so glad you found us on Pinterest! I love your sweet message!! You are NOT alone girl!! I can’t stand the cry it out method and will never believe in it. Congratulations on your new sweet baby!! That is so fun!! I hope you like us on Facebook and Follow on Insta so we can stay in touch!!

      Reply
  2. Mommy Pehpot
    April 1, 2014 at 3:46 am (10 years ago)

    my youngest is already 4! Done with sleep training but I still can’t get enough sleep at night.. I tend to worry much and check on them from time to time

    Reply
  3. Jennifer
    April 1, 2014 at 2:28 am (10 years ago)

    We are currently sleep training my 6 month old and it’s hard…really hard. But if I don’t sleep, I don’t function and with 2 other kids in the house, that’s not an option. I totally agree with all that you said, especially #2. Their comfort is key. Who sleeps soundly when they are uncomfortable? We used Huggies Overnights though.

    Good luck to you – one day we’ll sleep soundly again. Maybe.

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:35 am (10 years ago)

      Oh I know it is so hard!! Good luck to you too!! Those overnights are life savers!

      Reply
  4. Jenn W
    April 1, 2014 at 2:01 am (10 years ago)

    Such great tips!! Sleep training was so hard with my last- he was still only sleeping 3 hour stretches until he was 18 months old. I truly felt like I would NEVER get a full night sleep…. but it all worked out!! Now he sleeps from 8-8 on a regular basis!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:36 am (10 years ago)

      Oh my goodness – I am so glad that he is finally sleeping 8-8!! You poor mom – you must have been exhausted!!

      Reply
  5. paula schuck
    April 1, 2014 at 1:54 am (10 years ago)

    Absolutely many important points here. When my kids were tiny we protected that sleep like it was gold. We made sure they were tired enough though also so no late late naps, full tummies and enough stimulation each day so they slept well. They are good sleepers – thank heavens. Plus I learned that I had to go to bed when they did. Or maybe an hour later. I never ever stayed up until 11 pm. then.

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:37 am (10 years ago)

      Words of wisdom Paula!! Thank you for sharing – that is SO true!! Going to sleep when they go to sleep is KEY!! For sure.

      Reply
  6. Lindsey G
    April 1, 2014 at 1:28 am (10 years ago)

    Seriously, wonderful WONDERFUL post, Danielle! I want there to be a big sign on the internet that says “Parents go here —->” to your post. You hit 3 wonderful tips. We stuck to routines with my girls and it worked too. And like you, one bit out of the routine, and everything goes crazy.
    But the best, “You’re their Mom.” I remember trying things in sleep training and looking at my husband and saying “This just feels wrong. I don’t like it.” So we stopped it. YOU know what will work for your baby, deep down. You have to be their Mom and OWN that.

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:40 am (10 years ago)

      Thanks Lindsey!! You are too sweet – so appreciate your comment! I love that you felt it was wrong so you stopped. You have to do what is best for you! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Suzanne
    March 31, 2014 at 11:22 pm (10 years ago)

    This is so beyond true! I have a feeling that what worked for DS won’t necessarily work for any future children we have. I love your image on how long babies sleep before waking, I’m going to share this with a couple friends of mine who just had babies this month, I know they’re struggling!

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:41 am (10 years ago)

      Thank you so much Suzanne for sharing it with your friends! I hope it helps!

      Reply
  8. Hannah VW
    March 31, 2014 at 10:05 pm (10 years ago)

    Aww, very sweet and I can tell you love your baby a lot!
    For us, cosleeping (in our bed or the crib right next to our bed) got us the most sleep, especially through teething and growth spurts. Even my toddlers woke up to nurse a few times during growth spurts or when they had a really busy day and were too distracted to nurse much, such as traveling or being out and about all day (and you really can’t force them to nurse, so I was OK with a few night catch-ups).
    But a bedtime routine is also important in our family, starting at about 6 months old we make sure we do reading and pajamas and nursing.
    Our 4 year old goes to bed great, even for a babysitter, even in a new place, and he’s not always the calmest of kids, so I credit having a solid bedtime routine! It’s a great time to get some reading in for kids of all ages.

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:43 am (10 years ago)

      I love it Hannah!! Thank you for sharing! I would totally have my baby sleep right in my bed if my husband would let me! 🙂 Bedtime routines are where it is at, right?! So awesome that he goes to bed so great for you!!

      Reply
  9. Jenn
    March 31, 2014 at 9:19 pm (10 years ago)

    I am just like you!! I love my sleep! I need it! Babies were a huge adjustment for me. I am lucky that I can fall asleep on a dime. When they said sleep with the babe, I did!

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:44 am (10 years ago)

      haha! So glad we are the same when it comes to our sleep. I am just like you too – I can fall asleep on a dime too! Sometimes it is a good thing, sometimes not so much. Like when I want to watch a movie – I can’t!! I fall asleep every time! LOL

      Reply
  10. Meredith Yeverino
    March 31, 2014 at 8:55 pm (10 years ago)

    I can relate. But actually, my baby slept better when he was a newborn than he does now with teething.

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:45 am (10 years ago)

      Oh I am so sorry to hear that Meredith!! I know how that is!! Teething is the WORST!!! Breaks my heart! And the poor little things are in so much pain!! My little Laila wakes up in the middle of the night when she is teething too!

      Reply
  11. Holley
    March 31, 2014 at 7:45 pm (10 years ago)

    Great post! I never knew what exhausted really meant until I had a newborn. 🙂

    Reply
    • Danielle Davis
      April 1, 2014 at 3:46 am (10 years ago)

      I remember thinking that same thing!! And it feels never ending!! SO exhausting!

      Reply

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