The Crying Confusion:
The 6-12 Month-Old Sleeper
It's 3am,
And our baby is up again.
Is it hunger, teething, gas, or an ear infection?
This calls for medical direction.
If we find out it's neither hunger nor pain,
Do we choose to get up again and again?
How do each of us handle the crying?
For some, hearing the baby makes them feel like dying.
But for long-term gain (many nights of uninterrupted sleep),
It's a short pain (a few nights of prolonged interrupted sleep).
Five minute intervals of Reassurance (up to one hour) without
Rocking, feeding, or singing.
Just let our baby know we're there,
Within three to five days happier bells will be ringing,
And ending this arduous affair.
In the middle of intense crying we must watch the clock,
It seems like such an eternity with each tock.
We must remember a loving parent is firm.
And the eventual peace will bring us a happier developmental term.
Lester J. Hartman, MD