That Sleep Thing

Really, just when I think we've "got" it, it appears we don't "have" it at all.

First off, let me just say that for a brief moment, I'm so very jealous of those people who proudly post on FaceBook "my baby is 3 months old and she/he slept from 10pm until 7am this morning!." But only for a brief moment, because ALL of those babies are formula fed. I'm still breastfeeding my baby at almost 8 months, and intend on doing so as long as she'll let me, so I'll sacrifice the fact that she'll digest her food more easily and it's better on her tummy and her system for that "ALL" night sleep. But I'm briefly jealous anyway.

It has been over a year since I got more than 3 hours of sleep in a row. Granted, when I was pregnant I could get up, go to the bathroom, and immediately go back to sleep. That was heaven and I didn't realize it. Since Emma was born, I think I've gotten those 3 hours of sleep in a row just twice... and one night I might have gotten 3 1/2 hours of sleep. But ultimately, she's still up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours to eat. Is she *really* hungry, you ask? Oh boy YES.... as soon as she latches on, she gulps and gulps and gulps frantically for about 3-4 minutes, and then she's done. Nursing, that is.... she comfort sucks for a few more minutes until I de-latch her and then she's back in a deeper sleep.

I really understand at this point why sleep deprivation is a torture device, however. This was the sacrifice I made when I wanted to breastfeed, and I didn't want to even give her breastmilk from a bottle if I was around. But boy.... I would give ANYTHING right now to get 4-5 hours of sleep in a row. Eight hours? I can't even fathom what that would feel like.

More on sleep tomorrow..... her patterns, and maybe my experienced Mommies out there can help me figure this out (and yes, I've read the "No Cry Sleep Solution").