Libby, have you tried music? we have a CD that we play when we put Sara down and as soon as we play it she lays down and goes to sleep. Some times she'll fuss, but as soon as I shut the door she stops and goes to sleep. She used to wake up every once in awhile when we first moved her to her crib at 3 or 4 months, I can't remember, but I would let her cry for 5 mins and then go in and see what the deal was, unless it was a desperate cry. Eventually, if she woke up she would fuss for a minute or two and go right back to sleep. Now she sleeps through the night no problem, although the other night she woke up totally freaking out. I think her arm was asleep or something, because it was dead weight and she wasn't moving it. I just picked her up until she stopped fussing, turned the CD on and put her back to sleep. The CD really works. It's one of the only things that worked for Samuel. He was just like Colton. I agree with Krissy, I made all the mistakes of a first time mom and was paying for it the older he got. I tried the whole patting on the back, not picking him up, staying completely quiet. Eventually he learned if he cried a certain way I would go in and pick him up, so he would just scream that way. I don't know if I ever told you ladies, but Samuel had an ear piecing scream! I'm sure he caused some sort of hearing damage for Dan and I. Anyway, because of this terrible scream, we were always rushing to his aide because we didn't want to hear it, it was that bad! That and I was afraid you could hear it from the street and a neighbor was going to think I was neglecting my child or something.
Finally, I just said screw it. I'm the parent, I'm the boss. I'm not going to let this little person control me. I put my foot down and let him cry it out with the CD on repeat. It was a looooong night, but it only lasted one time. The next night be cried for maybe an hour. The night after only a few minutes. Then we got scout. When ever he would wake up we would push his foot for a 10 minute lullaby compilation and Samuel was fine. Eventually he learned to push his foot himself and I would wake up in the night not to crying, but to scouts lullabies on the baby monitor.
With Sara I didn't want to go through any of that again, so I just put her in her crib ASAP and let her get used to being alone and putting herself back to sleep when needed and so far so good. She still smiles at me in the morning when I go to pick her up, she's a happy little miss. No complaints. She still crawls to me and enjoys when I hold her.
Samuel still loves me and snuggles with me too. Every morning, if he wakes up before me, he climbs into bed with me and wraps his arms around me and tells me he loves me. He's actually a pretty independent kid, which I'm proud of. I think that sort of development will help him later on in life.
I mean seriously, how many adults do you hear about in therapy complaining their problems are because their mom and dad let them cry it out for a night or two?
As for your milk supply, it's normal for it to dip a little bit; especially when you introduce solids, but you can always bring it back up at a different time of the day. I've started pumping for cereal and oatmeal when I feed Sara and I was only getting 2-4 oz now I'm up to 6 oz just before bed and that's the only time of day that I pump and she doesn't eat during the night. Plus, you might be fuller in the morning, so you can pump then too. If you have the time.. I don't know your schedule. I have read that you want to break them of night time feedings, because it's not good for their teeth, especially if they fall asleep at the breast.
I think 4 days before you missed period is enough time for a positive test if you want to try. I think it's different for all women though. I got my positive tests with both kids well before my missed period. Best of luck, and keep us posted!
