Baby/ Behind The Butter

Grayson Allen: 4 Months

grayson 4 months-9084

I can’t believe Grayson is four months old already! For awhile, when he was a newborn, it seemed like time was going by soooooooo slow. I was completely exhausted and running on fumes. Now, it seems like time is going by too quickly! Literally, sometimes he wakes up in the morning and seems like a totally different kid. Instead of waking up crying, he wakes up chatting and laughing until I go into the nursery and get him. He still has a fussy hour in the evenings, but overall he is such a happy baby and I can’t even believe how much I love him.

Last month was our best month yet, I think. Grayson gained a lot of head control and we started seeing more of his personality shine through. In short, he became less like a baby and more like a little boy! I can already tell he is going to be pretty stubborn like me and nonstop on the go like Adam. He has started to become super curious about everything and wants to grab every little thing near him (including my hair…all the time. Ouch).

grayson 4 months-9137

We follow the Wonder Weeks pretty closely and so far, they have been SPOT ON for us. If you don’t have the iphone app, you should download it! Well, it said to be prepared for a big leap around week 17 and yep, they were right. For the first few days after his four month birthday, Grayson was sooooo fussy. He wanted to be held all day long and the instant I put him down, he would start to cry. But then when I would pick him back up he would smile and laugh. Funny, indeed. That only lasted a few days though and now he’s back to normal. The Wonder Weeks says that when they are really fussy it’s because they are trying to master new skills…and wouldn’t you know that after he resurfaced from those few fussy days he immediately started to grab his toes and do happy baby pose whenever possible? So cute.

We joined MOPS this month and also started going to a Waldorf class for babies in San Francisco, which has been really fun! I am starting a bible study with a few other new moms one night a week and it feels great to get back in the world a little bit. Grayson is SUCH a little chatterbox these days and we love it. All day long he’s cooing and squealing. It’s pretty much the cutest noise I’ve ever heard. Oh, and yes, he is currently losing all of his hair!! He has all this platinum blond peach fuzz where the old man hair used to be on one side. Hah.

He’s currently wearing size 6-12 month clothes and weighs a whopping 20 lbs! It’s those thighs, man, they are s-t-u-r-d-y. I think he fit in his bumbo seat for, like, a week before he got stuck in it and I had to pry him out with my foot. I’ve started another post on a cloth diapering update so that should be up shortly.

grayson 4 months-9140

Sleep has been going really well, actually! I finally feel like a person again. We do the Moms on Call method and Grayson started sleeping through the night at around 15 weeks. When I say “sleep through the night” I mean I stopped feeding him at 3am. Now, I know that might not be for everyone but I knew it was in all of our best interests to do this. First of all, I knew he was ready to drop that feeding and sleep through the night because at 3am he would only drink a few ounces then fall right back to sleep — his waking seemed to be mainly habit. I talked to our pediatrician about this and she agreed. He had also doubled his birth weight at this time. I fully expected him to cry the first night I didn’t go in there at 3am but he never did. He just woke up, sucked his thumb for about 15 minutes then fell back asleep. So, I started putting him down in the crib at 7:15 and getting him the next morning at 7am, except for a quick 10pm “dream feed” where he doesn’t wake up at all. I just lift him out of the crib, nurse him on one side and put him back down.

Some sleep tips that really worked with our family (again, might not be for everyone!)**:

we always, always, always put Grayson in his crib to sleep in an awake state. I never have rocked him to sleep, shooshed him to sleep or done anything like that, even as a newborn. From the time we crib trained at 7 weeks, I always just set him in the crib at nap time and bed time and left the room. Yep, I left the room and closed the door behind me. Call me heartless, but it’s true. I wanted him to get the idea that crib = sleep.  I would let him cry for 4-5 minutes before going in and putting a reassuring hand on his belly to let him know I was still here. I would keep doing that until he fell asleep. It never took long and by the time he was two and a half months old, he was putting himself to sleep within a few minutes of being in the crib – no crying at all.

-I got rid of all pacifiers when he was 16 weeks old. He had a bad habit in the middle of the night of spitting out the paci then fussing. This would lead to a very exhausting cycle of me getting up, sometimes even six times a night, to replace the paci so he could go back to sleep. One morning, after a particularly exhausting night I said that was it. No more pacis in this house. And guess what? That was the night that Grayson found his thumb. Now when he wakes up in the middle of the night he just sucks his thumb and goes back to sleep.

– Three words: Merlin Magic Sleepsuit. The day I put Grayson in the suit his naps went from being 30 minutes to two hours long. No lie. He slept through the night a few days later. The thing truly is magic!

Now I know we are entering the land of the four month sleep regression so my days of good sleep might be out the window for a few weeks. We’ll see. I’ll keep you all updated!

**I’m not looking for a sleep training debate or criticism of any one method in the comments. We do what works for us as should you. We love Moms on Call! I’m merely sharing our experience and what worked for us. Everyone parents differently and that is totally fine!

Things we are looking forward to this month include a little family trip to Yosemite, my mom coming out to visit for a week (yay, date nights!) and starting some solids – and, yes, we have our pediatrician’s blessing to start Grayson on solids this early and yes, I also know that a lot of people wait until six months of age. Adam and I have started to (slowly) take date nights again, which has been awesome. I’m not ready to let anyone do our nighttime routine yet but we have a sitter that comes after I give him his bottle and put him in the crib. It’s tough to pay someone to essentially just sit on our couch and watch TV for three hours but hey, it’s an investment in the marriage bank.

grayson 4 months-9177

I love him more with every that passes, if that’s even possible. We are so looking forward to his first holiday season this year — I can’t even believe that he’ll be seven months old at Christmas. Where are the days going?!?

You Might Also Like

  • Bryn
    September 19, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    Hi Jenna! My little one is two weeks younger than Grayson, so I’ve been loving reading your updates to see what’s ahead for us 🙂 I second the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit – it works wonders! Have you found that Grayson can still get his thumb while he’s in it? I feel like our little girl’s arms are still a bit too short to get to her thumb, so we’re still on the pacifier train. Thanks so much!

    • jenna
      September 19, 2014 at 12:32 pm

      I literally told Adam that I think the sleep suit is the best thing we ever bought. It’s AMAZING. Grayson can still suck his thumb in the suit — are you totally sure she can’t reach?

      • Bryn
        September 19, 2014 at 1:56 pm

        I was skeptical at first, but it really is magic! We just rolled the sleeves up a bit, so I think she’s getting close to finding her thumb. So glad you’re getting to enjoy some more uninterrupted sleep!

  • Amelia
    September 19, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    I really enjoy reading your updates and getting info on what kinds of methods are out there. Our baby is due 11/28 and I’m taking in all the info I can, but also realizing that every baby and mom is different. We will just do what fits, right?

    • Katie
      September 22, 2014 at 7:30 am

      I’m due 11/27! Good luck!!

  • Carolyn
    September 19, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Great post, Jenna! I love all the tips. We’re expecting in about 6 weeks so I’m soaking up everything I can from new mamas out there. And I love that you are going to a Waldorf class! Is that part of the Waldorf Schools? I attended one from K-8 and hope to find somewhere to bring my little one someday. Not as many options in MN as there are in CA though. Here’s to another great month for your family!

    • jenna
      September 19, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      Yes, it is part of our Waldorf school here. It’s the sweetest little class!

  • Sophie Piper
    September 19, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    He’s so cute!! That age is SO much fun….and before you know he’ll be sitting up 🙂

  • Ella
    September 19, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Great job, mama – so glad you guys are doing what’s best for your family, and trusting your heart and your gut (and your brain of course!). You all look beautiful!

  • Jefta
    September 19, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Love your monthly posts! My son will be 4 months in a week. We are wanting to start him on solids as well. I’m planning to ask his doctor on Monday. Out of curiosity, what did you discuss with your doctor? What are you planning to start for solids? We were thinking oatmeal cereal first. Good luck!

    • jenna
      September 19, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      I just asked if we could start soon and she said yes! We plan to start him on veggie purees first – I have already made a couple and frozen. Like, winter squash, perhaps? Always check with your pediatrician!

  • Annie
    September 19, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    We started solids at four months too – I actually just read an article last night that says that the best time to start solids is between 4-5 months to prevent diabetes (individuals that are predisposed to it, at least). Anyway, we did a modified version of Babywise and now have a 12 month old that falls asleep on her own, naps great (never went through the dreaded 4 month sleep regression), etc – totally worth it for me as a working mama! LOVE YOUR POSTS!

    • jenna
      September 19, 2014 at 2:32 pm

      That’s so great to hear re: starting solids AND avoiding the sleep regression! I’m keeping my fingers crossed we avoid it because he is suuuuuch a good sleeper now. Here’s to hoping!

  • Jessica
    September 19, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    Just curious what you are doing in regards to breastfeeding. Do you pump and bottle feed mostly or nurse usually? My little guy nurses on e through the night and falls right back asleep. Since he only does he one my supply has decreased significantly

    • jenna
      September 19, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      I nurse 4x a day and bottle feed once – so nurse 4x and pump once. If your supply is decreasing, I suggest adding a pumping session in. You can always freeze the milk for an emergency stash!

  • Nicki
    September 19, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Thanks for the post! Where did you get your dress? It’s so cute!

    • jenna
      September 19, 2014 at 3:00 pm

      Thank you! My dress is from Free People 🙂

      • Elizabeth
        September 20, 2014 at 1:15 pm

        Was going to ask the same thing re the dress. I love it on you, and it look soooo comfy!
        I love reading your posts, too, Jenna! My baby girl is two weeks younger than Grayson but has reflux and food allergies (what?! I ate all organic during pregnancy and have no allergies myself! Anyone else dealing with this?!) so we’re having some sleep issues…. blah! You guys keep me hopeful! 🙂

        • Pam
          September 21, 2014 at 11:27 am

          Hang in there! I’ve been through reflux and food allergies with both my girls. My 4 month old just started becoming a happy baby about 3 weeks ago, but it took 6 months for my first daughter. I say do what you need to in order to get through the reflux phase. It does get better!!

          • Elizabeth
            September 22, 2014 at 2:16 pm

            Thank you, Pam & Katie! You both made my day. It’s honestly so nice to hear words of encouragement from people who’ve gone through it. X

        • Katie
          September 22, 2014 at 7:38 am

          I lived through acid reflux with my son. We ended up medicating and after six months were able to stop giving him the medication. Since then, no issues and a great sleeper! Just give it time!

  • Chantelle
    September 19, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    Oh, what a little sweetheart! And I totally agree in investing in your marriage – those early months (and years – our boys are 3 and 1!) are tough, and you need to make sure you’re taking time as a couple. We learned that the hard way! 🙂

  • Emily
    September 19, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Wow! I am so impressed that you’ve always put him in the crib awake. I think I’m just a weakling because I can’t stay strong through the crying, I always run in to get her. You’ve inspired me to try again though!! It sounds like such a wonderful thing to put the baby down and have them put themselves to sleep. Our daughter was born May 8, so she’s a week or so older than your little guy. 🙂

  • bb
    September 19, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    We have a little guy about 3 months old and we also always put him down awake in his crib. My mom’s a pediatric nurse and she recommended it. I agree with do whatever works best for you but this has REALLY worked out for us. He cried just a little for the first couple weeks and then never again. (knock on wood)

    Grayson is adorable!

  • nickee
    September 19, 2014 at 5:12 pm

    “From the time we crib trained at 7 weeks, I always just set him in the crib at nap time and bed time and left the room. Yep, I left the room and closed the door behind me. Call me heartless, but it’s true” – NOT heartless! I hope to do that when the time comes so good to know it works out 🙂 I love these posts.

  • Emily
    September 19, 2014 at 5:13 pm

    I would like to eliminate the pacifier but I’m afraid of the thumb. I think down the road it would be easier to get rid of a pacifier rather than a thumb. Are there ways to eliminate the thumb or will you cross that bridge when the time comes?

    • Jamie
      September 19, 2014 at 10:02 pm

      I think either is hard to fade out depending on the child. My first didn’t suck anything until her first birthday, but did it so much we had to buy a thumb guard to stop it because her teeth were moving already! On the other hand, my friend has a three year old with a pacifier still. But most kids do fine with either and life goes on!

  • Megan
    September 19, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    I’m curious what you all did with Grayson before you sleep trained at 7 weeks? If you said in a previous post just point me in that direction! My baby girl is 3 weeks and currently sleeps in our room in a bassinet at night and in a pack n play or swing for naps. She is a great sleeper once she falls asleep. The hard part is getting her to sleep! She wants to be held, nursing or sucking on a paci. Maybe this is normal for 3 weeks and I’m just feeling exhausted… But any advice you have I’d appreciate!

    • Victoria
      September 20, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      I would like to know this as well. We have a three week old and are in the exact same boat.

      • Kari
        September 21, 2014 at 7:38 am

        Our little guy is 6 weeks and sleeps about 6 hrs a night. My sleep strategy so far has been to swaddle him up nice and tight before the last feeding of the evening and let him nurse to sleep. Then I’ll put him down in the pack n play in our room when he’s done feeding. Our ped said that at this age, nursing to sleep is just fine. Good luck!

      • Sarah
        September 21, 2014 at 10:31 am

        Everyone will answer this question differently. I just wanted to say that you’re not doing anything wrong 🙂 Do what comes naturally to you.

        I have two little ones and I personally soothed through the newborn and early infant stage. With my first, I helped her fall asleep (through rocking, soothing, paci, going for walks in the stroller, the swing, baby wearing, etc) from birth until around 3 months. I didn’t let her “cry it out” at all during this period. Around 3 months, I started having her hang out in her crib when I could tell she was tired. At this age, they can begin to track a mobile with their eyes, so I felt ok leaving because she was interested in it! I would do the method Jenna talked about of going in and soothing if she was having a difficult time falling asleep, but I wouldn’t pick her up out of the bed unless she was really worked up. She started falling asleep on her own in the crib around 4-5 months, and by then was on a predictable enough pattern that I knew when she needed to lie down for her nap. She wouldn’t fight it because she was tired and grateful that I had responded.

        I am using the same method with my second, who is currently 8 weeks old. About 2 weeks ago I started soothing a little less and giving her a little more independence in trying to fall asleep, but I stay nearby to help her if she needs it. It is working well again so far. We also moved her from our room to the hallway outside our room. Baby steps 🙂

        A lot of motherhood is trial and error and seeing what works with your personality and your child’s personality. If you’re asking questions and trying to do the best you can, you’re already doing a great job! Congrats on your new additions, and try to get some coffee and a few minutes without a baby on you when you can 🙂

        • jenna
          September 22, 2014 at 3:06 pm

          Love this! Thank you for sharing your experience!

    • jenna
      September 22, 2014 at 3:10 pm

      Honestly, I feel like before seven weeks it’s total survival mode and you just do what you can. I think what you’re describing is totally normal for three weeks old. When Grayson was that little I was nursing every two hours and up every three hours at night. It was really tough but you just get through it. I tried to implement a schedule when he was that little but failed miserably – you just try different things and find what works for you. But yes, I pretty much nursed on demand (every two hours) until he was seven weeks old.

      • Megan
        September 23, 2014 at 10:55 am

        I had a great conversation with a friend who is a mother of two little girls and this was what she told me too. Survival mode + lots of snuggles + lots of coffee + lots of grace is what gets you through those first weeks. Babies just need their Mommas while they are little and sooner than later this season will be over and I’m sure I’ll be wishing she was little again 🙂 thanks for all the replies/advice to everyone, and Jenna I love your blog!

  • Nic G
    September 19, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    These posts are great! My twin girls are almost 5 months old and the second they found their thumbs they started self soothing at night, almost eliminating all night feeds. It’s been great!

  • megan
    September 19, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    He is adorable and you look wonderful!!

  • Kati
    September 19, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    Loved reading your 4 month update! These days and months truly are precious…and go by so fast! Around 3-4 months is when I think I started to feel human again. 🙂

  • Leanne
    September 19, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Yay!! We did baby wise with my son and he’s been a fantastic sleeper. I love your idea of taking pacis- we weaned my son from pacis at about 18 months and it was terrible. My daughter isn’t quite 3 months and I’m not quite ready to lose them yet but will consider it in the next few weeks!

  • Kelly
    September 19, 2014 at 8:59 pm

    I’ve been following you for about a year and a half. I have two kids, they turned 4 and 2 years old this past July. I love love love your sweet baby posts. You are making me want another baby! You look so pretty in all of your posts and Mr. Grayson is such a beautiful little man! This post reminded me so much of how my husband and I handled our babies sleep routines. It will go by so quickly mama! We are from the East Bay Area and transplanted to Seattle Area 4 months ago. 🙂

  • Heather Mason
    September 19, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Oh my goodness, he is so cute! Yay for thumbsucking! I sucked my thumb for a long time and it never gave me problems.

  • Olena
    September 20, 2014 at 6:22 am

    Hi Jenna! I am a mom-to-be and am due to have my first baby (a boy!) mid-November. I have enjoyed reading all your pregnancy and baby posts. I am intrigued by the Moms on Call Method. Is this something you started right away after Grayson was born? Or if you waited to start implementing it, how many weeks old was he? I’ve looked through the Moms on Call website briefly but I think it’s also great to get input directly from people using it! Again, really enjoying your mommy and baby related posts – keep ’em coming!
    🙂

    • Mish @ Eatingjourney
      September 22, 2014 at 3:15 am

      If you’re breastfeeding, I’d really not suggest it until you get your supply sorted. We started at 6 weeks because we’re bottle feeding donor milk. I can’t speak for Jenna specifically, but I do think from memory it was 7-8 weeks. Just enjoy the first 1-2 months. xo

      • Olena
        September 22, 2014 at 7:47 am

        Thanks so much for the tips, Mish! Yes, the plan is to breastfeed. I figured that the first 2 months were probably just going to be figuring things out and getting into a rhythm. 🙂

      • AshleyL
        September 22, 2014 at 7:48 am

        I starts moms on call at 2weeks and I’m so glad I did!

  • Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
    September 20, 2014 at 6:58 am

    I think you’re awesome! I’m totally going to remember a lot of these tips for when I’m a mom 🙂

  • Purelytwins
    September 20, 2014 at 8:00 am

    love reading your updates!! it helps me get prepared for when my little one is here and things to be ready for 🙂 I think you are doing an amazing job, you’re such an inspiration!

  • Caroline
    September 20, 2014 at 8:35 am

    Smart parenting! You are giving Grayson a gift in learning to soothe himself and sleep on his own. I did not sleep train my daughter until 4-5 months. It was not terribly difficult, and I still think it was the smartest thing I did that first year. Every year the gear gets better, though. We had the miracle wrap swaddlers, but a magic sleep suit sounds like a dream!

  • Janna
    September 20, 2014 at 10:40 am

    I’ve been reading your blog since day 1 and feel like I know you lol anyway it’s awesome seeing you do well and be happy !

  • Rebecca
    September 20, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Hi Jenna! I’ve been reading your blog from day one as well, and it’s so fun to see your updates about Grayson. I have a 4-year-old boy, and my husband and I dealt w/ sleep VERY similarly as you guys do w/ Grayson (though I never read any books or anything). My son slept through the night at 11 weeks, and he NEVER has had sleep regression EVER, not even when he was sick or teething. Hopefully the 4-month sleep regression won’t happen for you guys. I think some kids are just good sleepers, and Grayson is one of them. It also does help to take away the paci (my son stopped using his at 4-5 mths) and not running in at every sound on the monitor. Even at 4, he goes right to sleep at 7pm, and sleeps 12 hours and we never hear a peep out of him. 🙂

  • Shannon
    September 20, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    Yes to date nights! It is an investment that will pay off for years to come. Happy parents =happy baby.

  • Cyndi
    September 20, 2014 at 6:47 pm

    Big baby boy!

    Enjoy and don’t get hung up in silly stuff. Seriously don’t!

    He’s gorgeous!

  • Danielle
    September 21, 2014 at 12:06 am

    Aw! He’s so adorable!! Makes me miss having a baby. My two girls are 18 and 10!!????sigh……enjoy and savor every moment. They grow up soooo fast. My oldest moves into her dorm room at UC Irvine, CA. next weekend. It seems like yesterday she was Grayson’s age! I feel like I blinked, and she was all grown up, driving, and now off to college!!! ????????????

  • Lisa
    September 21, 2014 at 3:18 am

    Loving the Grayson updates, and I can’t wait to read about him starting solid foods. My son started solids around 4 months, but my daughter didn’t dig it until 6 months. My twins are 8 months old now, and when I get a chance I puree peaches and avocado, and I’m even adding a little garlic/herbs/spices to things (pediatrician gave the okay). I would love to read about what you’re making him, when the time comes. Fast recipes appreciated!

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    September 21, 2014 at 5:27 am

    He is such a cutie. And I love his outfit. You seem so much more sure and confident of what your mom skills now. Good for you!

  • Aimee Peterson
    September 21, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    We are going to start clothing diapering shortly and are using profiles and workhorses. Did you say you’re using coconut oil for his bum? just want to make sure it’s ok to use with cloth diapering.

    Thanks!!

    • jenna
      September 22, 2014 at 3:06 pm

      I have used coconut oil before –I really love CJs BUTTer though for rashes and skin issues.. It contains coconut oil and is all natural.

  • Emily @ Tips on Healthy Living
    September 21, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    What a total cutie pie! You are a lucky mom. Love to see healthy, happy babes (both son and mother)!

  • Danielle
    September 21, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    As I sit here rocking my 3 month old to sleep I applaud your decision to let your son learn that he needs to be able to put himself to sleep at such a young age. It is something I persoannlu wish I would’ve done. You are doing an amazing job!

  • Emily @ Fit as a Mother...
    September 21, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    Wow – big boy! Weighs the same as my 2 year old, but she’s a tail peanut, still wearing 12 months size clothes. 🙂

  • Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats
    September 21, 2014 at 7:56 pm

    I love reading your updates as our third baby was born in May as well, so your updates are like reading my own!

  • Katie B.
    September 22, 2014 at 12:01 am

    So do you think with your next baby you’ll go no paci? We were anti-paci with our first, who now is a MAJOR thumb sucker. I’m with you on being anti-middle of the night paci putter-inner, but would love to not have to worry about detaching ALL of our babies from their very attached thumbs!

    • jenna
      September 22, 2014 at 3:04 pm

      I don’t know. It’s so hard to say what we will do in a few years with the next one when I’m in the thick of it right now. If Grayson’s thumb sucking turns out to be an issue down the road, I’ll probably speak to my pediatrician about it but right now I don’t have any cause to worry. I like how he uses it to self-sooth and fall back asleep without intervention. But we will see!

  • Brittney
    September 22, 2014 at 6:54 am

    Glad things are going well! I agree with you on the Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit! We loved it. Also, transitioning to a sleep sack once she was done with it was no big deal, you just do a couple layers of clothing underneath a sleep sack so they kind of gradually get used to the feeling of less cushion.

    • jenna
      September 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      Great tip!

  • AshleyL
    September 22, 2014 at 8:10 am

    I love the moms on call method. Thank you so much for introducing me. 🙂
    Where did you get the idea for a “dream feed”? I haven’t seen it in the moms on call stuff. Not saying it’s wrong just curious. Might be something I want to try. My baby girl is 12 weeks old. I always look forward to these updates.
    I teach preschool you might into Reggio Emilia inspired infant or Montessori mother baby classes. They’re my favorite.

    • jenna
      September 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      You’re right – the dream feed is where we go rogue on moms on call 😉 I first read about it in the book The Baby Whisperer. I don’t know whether it’s wrong or right, but I did it the first night he slept through the night and sleeping has been going so well that I’ve been scared to end it. I just pick him up (still asleep) out of the crib at 10pm, let him nurse on one side, then gently put him back down. I would guess he takes in about three ounces or so. I know I’ll have to wean him of it eventually, but it’s working for us now (and it’s so sweet- I really enjoy it!) so I keep doing it…

    • Mish @ Eatingjourney
      September 23, 2014 at 4:02 am

      We use the Mom’s on Call method, but we feed at 5pm, bath at 6pm and down. Then I feed her around 9pm. She sleeps til around 6-7am. Sometimes she wakes up at 4 for a feed and I feed her if she doesn’t settle. I found, where I go rogue, that bathing her later at night just didn’t work for us. The principles are good, you just gotta go with it. We had three nights about two weeks ago where we she woke RAVENOUS at midnight and 4am..a growth spurt that went and we went right back to schedule. But the eat, feed, play, sleep is amazing. She self soothes now so easily.

      • Callie
        October 4, 2014 at 6:40 am

        How old is your wee one? I’ve been trying moms in call but my 11 week old son doesn’t sleep through as suggested (though I thought it was too early fir that anyways…) but I like the sound of how you modified the schedule.

      • Callie
        October 4, 2014 at 8:01 am

        Also Mish, did you wake her at 9 pm to feed or did she wake on her own?

  • Carla @ Sweet Little Nursery
    September 22, 2014 at 11:31 am

    Your baby is simply adorable! I totally agree with you, the first few weeks drags by, but after that the time flys by, sometimes I wish I could stop them from growing so fast just so I could enjoy a little longer!
    Xo

  • Alexandria @ Al2getherfit
    September 22, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    He’s ADORABLE!!!! My 10 month old daughter is also a little chunk and I love it! Love me some baby rolls!

  • Julie
    September 22, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    Jenna, I love your dress! We are due with our second next march (first one; Clara, is 21 months now) Your baby posts really get me excited, I plan to check out Moms On Call after Clara is asleep tonight, everything you’ve said since having Grayson sounds so positive. You are doing AWESOME.

  • Liz Nielsen
    September 23, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Crib=Sleep. I love this. I learned the hard way after rocking my first child to sleep every night. My second and third children were placed into their cribs awake, just as you do. Isn’t it nice to have a baby that sleeps well and self-soothes?

  • Jean
    September 23, 2014 at 7:23 am

    Jenna, Grayson is SO adorable. I can’t believe that he’s 4 months old already! BUT… I miss your recipes. I know that your life has TOTALLY changed and your focus is different these days. Do you see your blog taking a different direction now that you have Grayson? I know that you shifted your blog focus once before (yes, I’ve been with you THAT long!) so I’m wondering if you’re considering another shift to more align your blog with what’s going on in your life. Maybe you haven’t made that decision just yet. I do enjoy your ‘life’ posts because I feel like I know you – we could sit down in a coffee shop & have a wonderful chat. But I still miss the recipes…

    • jenna
      September 23, 2014 at 7:36 am

      Thanks Jean! I anticipate, for the most part, the blog staying the way it is now — recipes, life, baby stuff.. 🙂

  • Sandy T
    September 23, 2014 at 10:33 am

    Waldorf schools are just simply lovely!

  • Kelly
    September 23, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    Glad you’re able to get back into a Bible Study. Especially with other young mothers. Hope its a good one!!

  • cassie
    September 23, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    non-Mom here (and not a usual commenter) but I just have to ask how you figured all of this out???!! You seem like such an expert and all of this sounds like a foreign language to me. I want to be as good as you when the time comes!! He is precious, congrats

    • jenna
      September 23, 2014 at 3:18 pm

      Umm totally not an expert and really, have no idea what I’m doing!

  • Sarah
    September 23, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    My son is a terrible napper. I might need to use you method!

  • Savannah
    September 23, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Well, I don’t have any baby advice or questions for you but I do love that dress! Where did you get it??

    P.S. Your baby is so very cute. Good work 🙂

  • Jolene @ Homespun Heritage
    September 23, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    Oh my gravy…my wee one just turned 2…yrs old! (TWO) and he weighs 22lbs…that’s less than 1%….holy wow I have itty bitty kids! Cracks me up since our Doc is not concerned; we just have genetically tiny children but any other medical personnel reads me the riot act about how tiny he is. They get so upset that I am not concerned about how tiny he is. Some are big and some are little….mine just happen to be the little ones!

  • India
    September 23, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    I’m so proud of you for spending money on a babysitter and date nights. I can imagine it’s hard to do, but I think it’s amazing. Thanks for sharing!

  • Dava
    September 24, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    I have a 2 year old and a 5 month old. Both are fabulous sleepers, I think mostly because we always put them down awake. Here’s the advice I give: figure out whichever version of “eat, activity, sleep, you” that works for you. With our daughter, it was the Baby Whisperer, but we never did the dream feed. With DS, that wasn’t working, so we added Happiest Baby on the Block to our repertoire. So when you have No. 2, be totally prepared to find that something different works. Our daughter hated the swaddle. I thought I would have to swaddle our son til he left for college. He loved it. Daughter likes her room quiet, Son needs a white noise machine. You just have to listen to your baby’s cues. And we absotively never let either baby cry, ever.

    I’m so lucky that my 2 year old started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks and our 5 month old started at 8 weeks. But we were very diligent about watching for cues and responding to them, so I do give us some credit. 🙂 Oh, and neither of ours did any sleep regression other than waking when teething. Tylenol solved that issue.

    • Sallyanne
      November 9, 2014 at 9:33 pm

      I am very curious how you guys did sleep training without CIO….I am due with our 2nd and want to do things a little more scheduled. I know every parent is different and I don’t judge the cry it out method for others, but it is not our thing 🙂 any tips would be amazing, if you happen to see this comment 🙂

  • Alexandra Aimee
    September 25, 2014 at 12:35 am

    Jenna, I LOVE reading about your baby, he’s so so sweet, and I also LOVE reading about the courageous way you are parenting. I went through a phase where I felt so overwhelmed by the constant noise of everyone telling everyone else how to parent with so much judgement and vitriol that I honestly thought I would rather not have children than deal with it. Bravo for not feeling like you have to do one thing or the other just because it’s en vouge and instead seeking out what’s right for you and your family. And double bravo for speaking about all in plain terms.

    — Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo

  • renee wasserman
    October 20, 2014 at 4:46 am

    Hi Jenna- What is the Moms on cll approach to sleep? I’ve never heard of them and would be so interested. Thanks!

  • Jess
    November 5, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Hi Jenna,

    I’m a little late reading this post, BUT, we have a little guy who is about 5 weeks younger than Grayson and I have to laugh because I feel like we go through the same thing you post about, just a few weeks later. I also have a magic sleep suit and we SWORE by it until we had to get rid of the paci at night (same reason as you guys). Then Gavin had to learn to find his thumb and that was impossible for him in the suit (he has short t-rex arms like his dad) so we had to go cold turkey in just footie pjs!

    Anyhow, keep the updates coming, I like to know what I’m about to get into! 🙂 Grayson is precious!