Posted by
Wheelymate
20 yrs ago
Ok, so I don't have a domestic helper and the only nights I get to go out with when my mom or hubby babysit.
His bedtime is v regular now, I put him in his cot at 6.30pm after his feed and he falls asleep by 7pm the latest. So I am thinking I'll let him fall asleep first and then about 8pm, place him in the pram and take him out. We live in the town area so we don't have to take a cab as restaurants are within walking distance.
Has anyone tried this and did your baby sleep through the meal or did he/she wake up? Please share, my baby sleeps v well at night so I don't want to ruin it for him just because I want to have a nice meal!
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Hi Wheelymate -
from a sleep theory standpoint - you may get in a bit of trouble. The first THREE hours of sleep for a baby are the deepest. After that, he will be in and out of light and deep sleep, generally between 45 minute to 1 hour cycles. (this information is from Richard Ferber by the way.) So - if he comes into his light sleep while you are eating, and discovers that he is in a different place, (no longer his crib in a nice darkened room) he will probably wake up and cry. Or at least wake up. If this doesn't bother you then I wouldn't worry about it.
An occasional night out and disruption to your baby will not ruin all of his sleep habits. I don't think you're suggesting that you're going to do this every night either - so I wouldn't worry about it too much.
I like my baby to have her 2.5 hour nap every day at home, but on the weekends I like to go out with my husband and enjoy a nice lunch out. So she takes her nap in the pram, and wakes up sometimes and goes back to sleep. She most DEFINITELY doesn't sleep as well in the pram as her crib but I figure a nap or two a week won't make THAT Much of a difference.
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Thanks for the sleep theory info!
No, we don't intend to do this every night, more like once a week or once every 2 weeks.
I know someone who, if she plans to go out at night, puts her baby to sleep in the pram at bedtime. I am not sure if it will work for mine!
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crj
20 yrs ago
We do that.
Especially when we are on holiday.
We try not to do it, but sometimes we have to.
We do the 7pm feed, put baby to bed in the car seat or pram as appropriate.
Then go to dinner, put a blanket over so the light is blocked out.
Then try to get back by the late night feed, but if her wakes up feed him early.
Remember, a schedule is meant to work FOR you, not against you, so it is your decission. It is not going to 'hurt' your baby. It might mean a bit more disrupted sleep that night, it might mean you feed off schedule that night so be prepared to be flexible.
Enjoy your night out, and when people ask can they lift the blanket to see the baby, you are completely in your right to give them the evil eye and say no :)
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kooni
20 yrs ago
Hello, Wheelymate!
I think your idea sounds good on paper, but I'm a little nutty about routines and schedules, so I personally do not like the idea of shifting night time sleep. Like hkchoichoi, I too take mine out during the day sometimes, and have to have them nap while on the go, but I really dislike doing that. Rather, if I can, I shift the day's schedule and try to make sure they sleep in their cribs, where I believe it is proper. Children have no perspective of time, so I move the nap forward or backward.
Can you afford to get a sitter when you go out? An expat high school student would be fine because your good baby is already asleep. You basically only need someone in case of an emergency (God forbid) and that is easy enough to handle. Rush to hospital, take baby out of home, etc.
Sounds like your baby is such a good sleeper, and I definitely think you should not mess with something when it's going so well.
I kind of think of a baby sleeping in a pram as the same as an adult sleeping on a plane. We all do it, but it's just not the same.
Baby's grow in their sleep, so the whole concept just makes me nervous. Also, I don't like fussiness during the day, and I attribute that to lack of good sleep. I know my limits and that's one of them.
Good luck!
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kooni
20 yrs ago
I just wanted to add that children do not really understand the concept of time (mine are 2 years and 7 months), but they do understand chronology and routine. Again, good luck and keep us posted!
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Hi all,
I think we'll give it a go tonight. But won't be too ambitious. Only going somewhere 5 mins walk away so can get home easily if baby awakes and starts to fret. Will be prepared to feed him off schedule and for a disrupted night's sleep. My husband reckons that the disruptions are worth it once in awhile for a night out, he thinks while we should put him in bed at 7pm whenever we can, we should be prepared to break the routine or else we will never get to go out.
wish me luck and will keep you all posted! :)
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Oh Kooni, about sitters:
My mom is the official babysitter but as she works, I want her to rest too and don't want to trouble her too often. So she is only mobilised if it's really a special night out (anniversary, birthday, wedding, etc). I don't know of any expat students in SG that do babysitting. I have a friend (think she's trying for a baby and wants to practice) who has offered to babysit before but as baby was not on a solid routine then, I didn't want to stress her out. But I might take up her offer someday :). Most of my other friends are single and would prefer to be partying on a Friday night then look after a baby. My other relatives will be happy to babysit but they live further away from me and they might not want to stayover and if i take him to them...i'm not sure how his night will be disrupted. Maybe I am a little protective, I would rather have a hard time myself than trouble other people. Which is why I also worry about the night out, it's ok if he fusses but I don't want to ruin the other diners' meals too!
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kooni
20 yrs ago
Good luck tonight. More than anything, try everything you have to to make it work for you -- so that you have the best solution for you. If you're not happy, nobody is. I know you'll make it work!
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crj
20 yrs ago
So, how did it go?
Did you enjoy your night out?
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haha,
we did it!
he woke up when i lifted him from the cot to the pram. he was awake for about 10-15 mins, a little confused i think. but he didn't fuss at all and i didn't talk to him or anything as i didn't want him to think it was playtime. but he did look tired and he fell back asleep. we went home and left him to sleep in his pram until his 10.30pm feed. he slept until 7am today, no problems at all! i was prepared for the worst case scenario but thank goodness it went ok!
but of course, i would not push my luck and think it will be so smooth everytime. but it's good to know it's possible and that disruptions, if any is worth it once in awhile for a nice meal out on a friday night! :)
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oh, one thing i discovered last night:
i know some of us think (including me) that the swaddle or sleeping bag is a indispensable part of bedtime routine, that without it the baby can't fall asleep. last night he slept without his grobag because i didn't want to muck about with removing it before going and he still slept!
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