Baby sleep

Sleep with babies is such a huge topic. How much does your baby sleep? When does your baby sleep? Where does your baby sleep? How many naps does your baby take? Does he sleep through the night yet? These are just some of the the questions! I had no idea that conversations about sleep would consume so much of my life.
Which brings me to a topic that is hot for debate...to co-sleep or not co-sleep? People have very strong opinions about this and have no problem voicing their opinions. But, every baby is different, every parent is different and you have to do what works for you and your family!

I've come to peace with Kekoa and his sleep (well, I say this today). Scott and I have read so many books on baby sleep and what your baby is supposed to be doing and how much your baby is supposed to be sleeping, which really just makes us feel bad. Well, as Cassie told me, "Kekoa didn't write the books!" It was making me feel like something is wrong because Kekoa doesn't take 2 hour naps each time he naps...but that is OK! He has great nap days and then not so great nap days. Right now we are pretty happy with the way things are going (knock on wood). He takes 2 naps, one at around 9:00 and another at around 1:00. His first nap he usually sleeps for about an hour, sometimes longer (yesterday he slept for 2 hours!). The second nap isn't usually as long. It just depends on I don't know what. He's going to sleep as long as he will sleep!

I've also had this epiphany about co-sleeping. Scott and I love it! For the first 9 months of Kekoa's life, I felt ashamed about co-sleeping or that we were doing something wrong by having Kekoa sleep in the bed with us. After trying sleep training, I realized that co-sleeping works for us..and if it's not broken, then why fix it? It works to have Kekoa able to just nuzzle up and nurse if he needs to at night. I don't have to get up and actually I barely even wake up anymore, since he does it all on his own! I love waking up with Kekoa and Scott in the bed and watching Kekoa's face as he crawls over to wake up daddy. I love how snuggly Kekoa is, he falls asleep with his legs crossed over on my leg and his arms around me. I also love that now that Kekoa will nap with Scott, out of the baby carrier, Scott is able to have some of the same bonding time with Kekoa that I have had while laying down with Kekoa while he nurses.
I no longer tell people in shame that we co-sleep. It is really quite liberating. We are doing what works for us and that is all that matters.