Ask:
My son almost ALWAYS fights nap time and bed time. I feel just horrible having him cry himself to sleep but it seems like the only option lately. He is 19 months old and it won't be too long before he will need to sleep in a toddler bed. He is almost able to pull himself out of the crib now. For right now, I have one of those Crib Tents on top of his crib to keep him from climbing out unexpectedly.
Does anyone else have trouble putting their toddler to rest? I try to keep him on some type of schedule. I have also tried waiting till he is really tired thinking that he might just get drowsy, but then he gets over tired and more difficult!!!
If I let him cry it out in the crib for a couple of minutes he falls right to sleep, but I guess I just wish he would go down quietly. Am I expecting too much from my little man?
Thanks everyone!
Answer:
If it only takes a few minutes, count yourself lucky! We have gone through HOURS of fighting bedtime with several of our children. How old is he? Would giving him a toy or book help? My 2 year old goes down with a book. It is funny since she doesn't even sleep with a nightlight...so she can't SEE the book, but everynight, she goes through her shelf and picks the one she wants to take to bed with her!
Answer:
I agree, if it is only a couple of min. you are fine. I know my son cried himself to sleep when he was that age and it took 10-15 min. I also agree with letting him take something to bed with him. I special stuffed animal maybe or book as blessed_with_6 suggested.
Now, with my brand new one (7 months) I am extremely lucky in that she goes right down without a fuss at all....and I am dreading the days when she starts to give us a hard time...I hope she stays the same.
Answer:
Routine is SO important so they know what to expect. This is how it goes for my 4yr old , my 13month old is pretty close to the same except she takes a am nap too.
At about 12:45
we give them a 5 min. till nap time warning, then a 2 min.
Then we head upstairs to brush teeth and wash hands ( I carry him if he doesn't go)
in room we say night night to random things in the room
We take off his pants tuck him in and put on a lullabye cd on repeat.
It's pretty much the same in the evening he goes down at about 8
excpet he watches a 1/2hr show with daddy at 7:30
then takes his vitamin says night night to daddy
up we go to brush teeth wash hands
go to room say prayers, tuck in and put on music not on repeat for night.
If we go anywhere and there schedule is different it is much more difficult!!!The holidays were he**!
Answer:
I have read and been told my a ped that sometimes babies need to cry tp destress. I think it was DR Karp (Happiest Baby/Toddler on the block that I read this in). If it is only a few minutes, then I wouldn't worry about it.
Answer:
Thanks everyone! I do like the suggestion of letting him take a toy to bed. I have a glow worm in his bed with him, but he has gotten used to it just being there!! I'll see if there isn't something else that will keep his interest.
It helps knowing that it is normal for him to cry to sleep. With him being my first I enjoy hearing how other Mommies are doing!!
Thank you!