Babies can sleep anywhere. It’s an adorable and mostly true notion as well as the title of a very sweet kid’s book. We generously received Babies Can Sleep Anywhere three years ago in a Literati Book Club box, filled with some of our most loved stories to this day.
My toddler enjoys the book way more now at 3 and a half than he ever did before. And truthfully, so do I. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the book — we love reading it. It sits in my toddler’s bookstand/nightstand, which is filled with his frequently read books — the top-tier books that are dedicated for bedtime.
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The only reason I didn’t previously enjoy the book is because as a baby he absolutely did not sleep anywhere. No, he was a must-sleep in his crib and if you’re lucky the car kind of baby. If naptime was approaching while we were out, there was no rest for him. He would simply cry until we were home to his crib.
Seeing other babies literally sleep anywhere made me feel like I was doing something wrong as a mother. Especially when I’d see them sleep in their parent’s arms.
“Why doesn’t my baby sleep anywhere?” The book didn’t help my self-destructing thoughts. Fast forward a couple of years, and the birth of my second child brought an unexpected twist.
I accepted the fact that he wouldn’t sleep anywhere, whether it was something I was or was not doing. Whatever the reason, the crib was the only place he would rest his eyes.
Oh, So Babies Can Sleep Anywhere
One year ago I had my secondborn. Not wanting life to drastically change any further for my toddler, we kept up with his activities and playdates with his baby brother in tow. And that’s when I discovered it: babies can sleep anywhere.
A trip to the zoo — snoozing against my chest. A playdate at the playground — fast asleep with babywearing. Family parties – cat nap in a rocking chair with me. Family vacation to the beach – falls asleep in my arms listening to the waves.
The first time he fell asleep on me I wanted to cry out of pure relief. Not only did we not have to leave an event early or stay with a screaming baby, but I had a baby that would fall asleep. Anywhere.
I did nothing different with my secondborn. That’s just the kind of baby he was in comparison to his older brother. I harped on myself for so long, thinking I did something wrong that would make my firstborn unable to relax enough to sleep anywhere.
The most important thing my secondborn has taught me is that all babies are truly so different. No, not all babies can sleep anywhere, but those that have the disposition to can and will happily sleep anywhere.
Everyone is Different
Through these experiences, I’ve learned that every parenting journey is unique. Going from zero babies to one is hard. Going from one baby to two babies is hard, and so on. Being a parent is hard, don’t rob yourself of joy and cause more stress by comparing yourself and your baby to others. Everyone is different.
By one-year-old, my first baby slept through the night. My second-born is already one and still wakes frequently. Again, I am doing nothing different. They have two completely different personalities. But had these two been reversed I absolutely would have thought I was doing something wrong if my baby wasn’t sleeping through the night yet. Especially when other moms told me their babies were such great sleepers.
When my firstborn was one year old I literally thought I had all the answers on how to easily get your baby to sleep through the night. The second baby will really humble you as an all-knowing first-time parent.
These days, when someone tells me their baby sleeps all night while mine still wakes, I don’t see it as something I am doing wrong. I see it for what it really is — two totally different personalities. The first baby would NOT sleep anywhere but would sleep all night in his crib. The second baby would sleep anywhere yet wakes frequently throughout the night. Different babies, different personalities.
Nonetheless, I’m also so appreciative that my secondborn baby can sleep anywhere, giving me an incredible appreciation for this kid’s book and a game-changing perspective on parenthood.
all images belong to diydarlin.co
