Second Nap

One thing that I've learned after reading countless parenting books, magazines, and online articles, is that the best thing to do is to ignore all said publications and just do what works best for you.


I'm pretty sure everyone that reads this blog knows that Lola is a terrible sleeper.

That she, for the past 17 months, wakes up 2, 3, 4 times a night.

That sometimes when she wakes up, she stays up, for up to an hour.

That we've tried the No-Cry, Co-sleeping, and the Cry It Out methods.

That because of Josh's work schedule, I am the one who gets up with her each night.

That because of her irregular sleep patterns, I haven't slept more than 4 hours straight since her birth.

That all of this has created an enormous amount of stress in both my individual life and in our marriage.

Well, I am happy to announce, that we think we found a solution (and NO, it's not a night nanny, benedryl, or alcohol.)

Lola takes second nap.

Second nap is this thing we created because we needed a break. And, after what seems like forever of her not sleeping good at night, somehow second nap has solved this problem.

This is how it works: Lola goes down for a nap in her crib around 1 PM or so. Then, she wakes up at 2:30 in a sort of delusional state. (Talking to herself, crying, etc.) Josh goes into her room, picks her up, and she lays her head on his shoulder. She instantly falls back asleep. Then, Josh either brings her out into the living room where they sleep on the couch. Usually she sleeps until 4:30 or 5 PM.







Once she is up, we play and eat dinner, and then start her bedtime routine around 7:30. She falls asleep in her crib around 8:30 and then SLEEPS UNTIL 5 AM. Then, I go and bring her into bed with me and we sleep until 6:30 or so.


Did you catch that? She doesn't wake up. SHE SLEEPS FROM 8:30 PM to 5 AM.


THAT IS EIGHT AND A HALF HOURS.



Not like I'm counting.


Second nap has improved our lives tremendously. Josh and I are arguing less, I can focus more on whatever task I am tackling, and the other day a co-worker told me that I looked "rested."


Dark circles? Angry demeanor? Try second nap!