No sleep!!!

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

Ok. I'm exhausted. Our 17 month old WILL NOT sleep through the night. He usually goes to bed around 9, 9:30 and then he's up at regular intervals for the rest of the night, and ALWAYS up for the day by 5. I have GOT to find a way for him to sleep. We're moving from Florida to New York next week. We need to get some more sleep. Does anyone have any advice on how to get an older child to get back in the habit of sleeping in his own crib?

[Jaylen Brit 0]

You gotta be firm - always put him back when he gets up, do NOT engage him in conversation - don't talk at ALL - if you do he will get 'rewarded' for getting up and will continue to do it.

Silently put him back in his bed and leave - and keep doing it.

It takes a while for them to get the message tho so be prepared for little sleep while you do it.

He might cry - if he does you really have to leave him to it - again if you run in to comfort him he's getting 'rewarded' with your attention. This is hard. I've been in tears on the other side of my kid's door listening to her cry bitterly, and fighting my urge to go in and cuddle her, but that doesn't last long either. Once they realise you're serious about not coming back they do stop it. You HAVE to be strong tho - the first time you go back or talk to them you will have to start the whole thing over again from scratch.

Also - do you have a rigid bedtime routine? Like bath, quiet time, story time and sleep?

I had to have one for mine - the exact same thing every day - it does help them realise its 'sleepy time' now and not nap time.

We also got a night light for a while, helped set the 'bedtime mood' which helped a little.

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

You gotta be firm - always put him back when he gets up, do NOT engage him in conversation - don't talk at ALL - if you do he will get 'rewarded' for getting up and will continue to do it.

Silently put him back in his bed and leave - and keep doing it.

It takes a while for them to get the message tho so be prepared for little sleep while you do it.

He might cry - if he does you really have to leave him to it - again if you run in to comfort him he's getting 'rewarded' with your attention. This is hard. I've been in tears on the other side of my kid's door listening to her cry bitterly, and fighting my urge to go in and cuddle her, but that doesn't last long either. Once they realise you're serious about not coming back they do stop it. You HAVE to be strong tho - the first time you go back or talk to them you will have to start the whole thing over again from scratch.

Also - do you have a rigid bedtime routine? Like bath, quiet time, story time and sleep?

I had to have one for mine - the exact same thing every day - it does help them realise its 'sleepy time' now and not nap time.

We also got a night light for a while, helped set the 'bedtime mood' which helped a little.

Yes. Everynight we do dinner, play time, bath, brush teeth, comb hair, nurse, then bed, and he ALWAYS goes down awake and without a problem. But then a few hours later he's up and ready to play again. I'm going to try what you said, cause I used that same method on my daughter. It's just that she was SOOO much easier than Colin. lol That must be the difference between boys and girls!

[Dixie_Peach 1]

that is very good advice from JB... also, when my son was that age... instead of having like 2 naps per day... i cut it back to one... that way, when bedtime came - he was READY to sleep.

here's to having your bedroom back!

PS: be prepared for some heart-breaking crying... from colin *and from you... just don't let colin see it...*

but pretty soon, you will have him in a routine that is good for everyone!

wishing you the best,

Lynne

[jelti 0]

I don't have much advice because I have not had children yet, just wanted to applaud you for still nursing! I love it when I see mamas nursing toddlers, and I always like to give them words of encouragement to show my support!

Also, if you are familiar with LiveJournal (or even if you're not, LJ's pretty easy to use), you might want to check out the Natural Family community. The parents there are absolutley wonderful and have great advice on just about everything. Good luck!

Edited April 22, 2006 by jelti

[Aymerlu 3]

My daughter was 11 months old when I was making a big move and she started doing the exact same thing. Her doctors told me that just the packing, disarry of the home, knowing that I myself was stressed oer the move made my daughter stressed too. It took a while for her to get back into her sleep pattern. And I know myself, I was not firm with her because I had so many other things going on in my life. I'm a bad mom

[tmma 467]

that is very good advice from JB... also, when my son was that age... instead of having like 2 naps per day... i cut it back to one... that way, when bedtime came - he was READY to sleep.

here's to having your bedroom back!

PS: be prepared for some heart-breaking crying... from colin *and from you... just don't let colin see it...*

but pretty soon, you will have him in a routine that is good for everyone!

wishing you the best,

Lynne

This worked for us

We found that one nap per day was sufficent and he slept through the night!

Expect crankiness when naps are reduced to one per day, but after that-just stick to your schedule...

It will eventually all settle down! Honest!

Best wishes

Michele

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

Thank you SOOOO much for all the great advice! I can't wait to try it! David says that Colin just doesn't want any siblings yet, so he's making sure we don't have any time alone!!! Things have been so hectic here lately, and I know that has something to do with his sleep issue. Hopefully when we get to NY things will settle down again. Again thanks to everyone!

[000OOO000 0]

Watch the Super Nanney.

[MrMrsKnight 0]

You gotta be firm - always put him back when he gets up, do NOT engage him in conversation - don't talk at ALL - if you do he will get 'rewarded' for getting up and will continue to do it.

Silently put him back in his bed and leave - and keep doing it.

It takes a while for them to get the message tho so be prepared for little sleep while you do it.

He might cry - if he does you really have to leave him to it - again if you run in to comfort him he's getting 'rewarded' with your attention. This is hard. I've been in tears on the other side of my kid's door listening to her cry bitterly, and fighting my urge to go in and cuddle her, but that doesn't last long either. Once they realise you're serious about not coming back they do stop it. You HAVE to be strong tho - the first time you go back or talk to them you will have to start the whole thing over again from scratch.

Also - do you have a rigid bedtime routine? Like bath, quiet time, story time and sleep?

I had to have one for mine - the exact same thing every day - it does help them realise its 'sleepy time' now and not nap time.

We also got a night light for a while, helped set the 'bedtime mood' which helped a little.

Have you been watching The Super Nanny?? I love that show and the lady always teaches things that are gonna help me soooo much when I have a kid! I really recomend that show!!!!!!!

Edited April 23, 2006 by MrMrsKnight

[ariel_2005 0]

i watch super nanny too and like it a lot ... we also have an 16 month old girl and she wouldnt sleep either for 2 days by herself.... i was putting her to sleep and after 10 or 20 min would wake up screaming ... did that 3 or 4 time all night for 2 days... i thought something was wrong with her but nope... i gave her a small bottle like 4 or 5 oz the next night and she went to sleep and didnt woke up at all.... the next day was normal like before and didnt haft to use the bottle anymore... she never never did that before ... she's been sleeping all night since she was 4 months .... i guess babies have their bad days too... good luck with yours....

[Jaylen Brit 0]

You gotta be firm - always put him back when he gets up, do NOT engage him in conversation - don't talk at ALL - if you do he will get 'rewarded' for getting up and will continue to do it.

Silently put him back in his bed and leave - and keep doing it.

It takes a while for them to get the message tho so be prepared for little sleep while you do it.

He might cry - if he does you really have to leave him to it - again if you run in to comfort him he's getting 'rewarded' with your attention. This is hard. I've been in tears on the other side of my kid's door listening to her cry bitterly, and fighting my urge to go in and cuddle her, but that doesn't last long either. Once they realise you're serious about not coming back they do stop it. You HAVE to be strong tho - the first time you go back or talk to them you will have to start the whole thing over again from scratch.

Also - do you have a rigid bedtime routine? Like bath, quiet time, story time and sleep?

I had to have one for mine - the exact same thing every day - it does help them realise its 'sleepy time' now and not nap time.

We also got a night light for a while, helped set the 'bedtime mood' which helped a little.

Have you been watching The Super Nanny?? I love that show and the lady always teaches things that are gonna help me soooo much when I have a kid! I really recomend that show!!!!!!!

I have seen that show but that advice came from personal experience! lol

Also another great tip which i got from the health visitor for when she was rally tiny - and preferred sleeping on me after breastfeeding than her own crib by my bed was put a hot water bottle in her crib (taking it OUT before I put her back in) so that when she went in it was nice n warm! Worked a treat and she fell right asleep.

[Fandango 1,440]

Just saw something on Dr Phil about this.,...there was a woman who came on called 'the sleep lady' she wrote a book too....

now, what can be done about sleepless nights for adults??? 620 and i'ms till awake

http://www.sleeplady.com/

[David&Erin_Owens 0]

I have seen that show but that advice came from personal experience! lol

Also another great tip which i got from the health visitor for when she was rally tiny - and preferred sleeping on me after breastfeeding than her own crib by my bed was put a hot water bottle in her crib (taking it OUT before I put her back in) so that when she went in it was nice n warm! Worked a treat and she fell right asleep.

The hot water bottle sounds like a brilliant idea!!! I always thought that he wouldn't want to be laid down all nice and warm into a cold bed, but I could never figure out how to heat up the crib. Thanks so much!!!

[Jasman0717 9]