Need to Teach 12 Month Old to Sleep in His Crib

Updated on October 23, 2010
S.C. asks from Murrells Inlet, SC
7 answers

Help? He goes to bed in his crib fine, however he wakes up through out the night, often once to twice an hour. He immediately cries out -- most of the time, he'll go right back to sleep if I put the binky back in his mouth and pat his tush (takes about 1 minute or two at the most). However, lately, he's continued to cry and he wants me to pick him up. Last night, I attempted to let him cry, going in every few minutes (waiting longer and longer in between visits), and he became so upset that he spit up all over his crib.

What can I do? In addition to this, he cries a good bit, lately, when he isn't being held. I want to teach him that he should play by himself, that he will not be picked up and carried around on my hip all of the time, etc.

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

It worked!!!! I purchased "The SleepEasy Solution" recommended, placed about 20 binkies in his crib, and he stayed in his crib the entire night. Tonight will be night four of our training. He does awaken several times throughout the night, however, he ONLY cries for 2 minutes, and falls right back to sleep!!! THANK YOU so much for the information and the support. It certainly makes it so much easier to know that other moms have gone through the exact same thing!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I do appreciate it!

More Answers

S.G.

answers from Oklahoma City on

go in check and make sure he's ok, check diaper and what not....and let him fit, if he spits up, put a blanket or something down on top of it to keep him from sleeping in it then walk away (was in morning or whatever). my daughter used to do that, and i can't tell you how many nights she screamed ALL NIGHT, at first it was a nightly issue, then as she "thought" it wouldn't get me (it was HARD listening to her blood curdling screams) it diminished into a little here and there, she's almost 8 and i havn't had a bed time problem at all since she was 2. i could tell her to go to bed in broad day light at lunch time, and she MIGHT tell me that she's not tired, but she'll at least go lay down and be quiet.

as long as your consistant and dont' show him that if he cries you'll come running it'll eventually stop but it's HELL at first: either give him hell and it'll stop or let him give you hell and eventually it'll get worse :)

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A.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Read "The Sleepeasy Solution" and visit "Sleepyplanet.com"
It has saved our sanity! I posted this a couple times, so you can search for it, but I must sound like an infomercial by now for it! LOL I promise I am not getting andy kickbacks! I was a NEVER LET THE KIDDO CRY mom, until I was close to losing my mind and my husband left for deployment and I was at home alone with 2 kids, one who was up several times a night. (Note: we just started this method 1 week ago!) It took 2 nights (and surprisingly very LITTLE crying) and now he goes to sleep, SMILING (seriously!) and sleeps all night without tears. He's almost 11 months old. Now, if I could just cure my own insomnia...we'd be set!
Good luck!

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K.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Yes, I am in the same boat and my son just turned 1 two days ago. Doesn't sleep in the crib, wakes up throughout the night, I put the binky back in and pat him he goes back down but for the past month he's been crying and wanting to be picked up. Also does not let me put him down throughout the day, ATTACHED TO MY HIP. I will read your responses.

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D.M.

answers from Detroit on

SC---I have the honor of working with Dr. Bill, Jim and Bob Sears, pediatricians and authors of MANY baby and parenting books. He has a great website and you may be able to get some answers there. It is www.askDrSears.com.

Sounds like he is going through a developmental phase. It will take some time and patience on your part to help him learn how to soothe himself. Never talk to him at night. Just keep doing what you are doing. I've read that giving a bath before bed, using lavender, will help him to sleep better.

As for during the day, same thing. Make sure he can see you, go reassure him from time to time and lengthen the amount of time between each time you concede to pick him up. When you do, give hugs and kisses, play awhile and then back to what you need to do. He is still pretty young and I would try hard to balance what attention is needed for reassurance with teaching and not 'giving in' to his attempts at manipulation. I know it's not easy but, as the saying goes, this too shall pass. Take some deep breaths and try not to stress too much. Be well, D.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I am not a fan of cry it out, especially when they're throwing up. My view is that crying is the only way they have to tell us something is wrong. I know that if I woke up and cried and no one came to comfort me, I'd feel horribly alone and abandoned. That would make me cry harder! If he's vomiting..well...you have to go in and clean him up right? So you're still comforting him. And not to mention, it makes everybody's middle of the night even more stressful if you have to clean up vomit. I whole heartedly disagree with Dawn B that throwing up is just a part of it. Cry it out just doesn't work for some kids.
Finding out why he's waking is going to be the challenge. it's going to take some trial and error. He might be waking up because he's hungry. He could be frightened. Is he possibly teething? I would try giving him a bedtime snack (both my kids get a bowl of cereal). If that doesn't help, then try something else. Make sure to check his mouth for teeth. Neither of my kids slept worth a darn when they were teething. Could he be coming down with a cold?
For the daytime crying..Start out playing with him on the floor. After a few minutes tell him "OK, Mommy has to go do XYZ for a little bit." Keep talking to him while you walk away. Sing, chat, whatever. At this age kids are starting to learn object permanence. They're really just beginning to understand that if Mommy walks away, she's not gone forever. She'll come back. LIke most things, it's probably just a phase and will end in time. I know all too well how difficult it is to deal with a clingy baby when you're totally exhausted. Take heart that it gets better!

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C.G.

answers from Atlanta on

Had a few thoughts:
-Maybe he's sick or teething? Ear infection? Try infant Tylenol before bed. If he wakes up in 4 to 6 hours (when pain relief wears off), then you know he's in pain from something.
-Put extra binkies in the crib so it's easier for him to find one at night.
-I would not get rid of the binky when he's obviously having some issues right now. But at one year old, I would limit its use to sleep only.
-I don't think crying it out works for every baby, or every mom. Follow your gut. I always picked mine up and soothed, rocked, whatever. They're now 7 and 3 and don't have sleeping issues.

Good luck!

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