My mother of the year moment...

Sherbet Lemon

I was having a dream that I was shopping at Target. Some woman was there with her six year old and he was throwing a fit and crying like a baby.  It was really annoying, because she wasnt even paying attention to him, just going about shopping while he threw a tantrum. I had a dream discussion with the cashiers about this. Then the dream jumped to being at school teaching and one of my students was having a total meltdown because they were failing math. I was trying to get the kid calmed down so we could make a plan on how I could help. But the kid just wouldn't stop crying. 

At which point I woke up. To my screaming 2 month old. I have no clue how long she'd been crying, but it was enough that she'd rotated in bed 180 degrees and was right up against the edge of her crib.

And now I feel like a failure as a parent. How did neither DH nor I wake up to that sooner? What if something had happened, like instead of rotating, she'd rolled herself over and suffocated on the mattress.  How do I make sure to not do that again? Is not sleeping for the next year or two an option? 

 

missmuffin87

A while ago I learned that all dreams, even the most lengthy and elaborate ones, last no more than 4 minutes. Since you were dreaming about the crying, I would say 4 mins, possibly up to 8 if you count the target and school dreams as 2 separate ones. 

See that's not so bad. 

Venus04d

Don't be too worried about it. It happens to everyone from time to time. Chances are you were just in a very deep sleep when she started crying and it took a few minutes for your body to come out of it. Your dream was helping that process along. You can't stay awake 24/7 so that you're always able to immediately jump into action.

Your LO is fine and nothing like that will probably happen again for a long time. Just always make sure you feel like she's sleeping in a very safe place, so if it does happen, she can't do anything more than cry.

mrebecca

rachelrm87:

A while ago I learned that all dreams, even the most lengthy and elaborate ones, last no more than 4 minutes. Since you were dreaming about the crying, I would say 4 mins, possibly up to 8 if you count the target and school dreams as 2 separate ones. 

See that's not so bad. 

Exactly. So don't beat yourself up, OP!
Your precious baby doesn't even remember it by now. 

judahsmommy1

It happens. She was in a safe place. If she had rolled over, she would have done what babies do when lying on their tummies and placed her head to the side so she could breathe. It's heartbreaking to know that your child was upset and that you weren't able to be there, but she'll forget it fast; much faster than you will! Give her extra cuddles today.

Sherbet Lemon

Thanks guys. I do feel a little better about the situation after reading your responses. This is probably a sign that DH needs to take over for a few hours today so that I can get some decent sleep...

Venus04d

Sherbet Lemon:

Thanks guys. I do feel a little better about the situation after reading your responses. This is probably a sign that DH needs to take over for a few hours today so that I can get some decent sleep...

A rested mom is always a better mom. :-) 

Snapdragon750

I once dared to take a shower when no one else was home when DD was that age.  I'd just put her down for a nap and was sure she'd sleep at least the 15 minutes that I'd be in there, so I tried to relax and told myself she was totally sleeping the whole time.  As soon as I turned off the water I heard her screaming, and I felt like the worst mom ever.