>:30 to sleep means that this little toddler will want to rise
>at 3:30 a.m.!  7:30 to 7:30 would probably only be possible if the child
had
>no naps during the day.

I disagree with this wholeheartedly.  Sleeps begets sleep, even in breastfed
babies.  That being said, ALL babies have different sleep patterns, and in
my experience they usually mirror that of the parents.  If the parents are
up until all hours of the night, then the child usually wants the same, or
some version of it.  Both of my children ages 4 and 2 sleep from 8pm to 8am,
the 2 year old still takes a 2+ hour nap daily and the 4 year old takes one
about twice a week.  Most parents can pick up on their children's sleep
needs just by watching, are they cranky?  clingy? whiney?  Those are all
indicators of lack of sleep.  I will agree that there are some kids that are
just high needs and may have these characteristics even with enough sleep.

From personal experience, I have a good friend with two kids that are just
about in line with my boys' ages, her kids have horrible sleep patterns.
She can't figure out why they don't want to stay asleep and why they are so
cranky all the time.  More than once we have gotten into heated discussions
about her kids needing more sleep.  It is not normal for a child to go to
bed a midnight and get up at 8 am and then not still be tired in the day.
We have all seen children to cry and whine that they are not tired but then
they are the first to fall asleep.  As parents we have to watch our
children's sleep patterns.  Take me to the park, just by watching the kids
play, I can tell you which ones aren't getting enough sleep.

On the subject of these parents just wanting more time together, I have to
say that I remind my clients that sometimes it's just not possible, take
what you can and learn to love the rest of the time with your baby/toddler.
Learn to love the time that is spent with your kids even if it's not
"choice" time.  I find that many times it DOES come down to expectations on
both sides, spouses need to discuss these things with each other before it
comes to a boiling point.  Steal 2 minutes alone in the bathroom just
necking, or talking.  If this mom works then one thing that we found helpful
was to drive to work together, that meant only one person had a car that
day, but it gave us more time to talk during our commute.  Truthfully, that
is the ONLY thing I miss about not leaving my house every morning to go to
another job (I run my practice from home).


Melisa
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Did you hear? Breast is Best!
Certified Lactation Counselor
IBCLC Exam Candidate
Homeopathic Counselor in training
www.nurturingmama.com

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