My daughter is ten months old and refuses to sleep in her own bed. From April to July all I had to dow was put her in her crib and she would put herself to sleep. No so now, I have to cuddle her while she has a bottle, wait till she falls asleep and then put her in her own bed. And that only lasts for a few hours. Seems like just long enough to get the house picked up for the night. I've already tried numerous things. Swaddling, music, the crib vibrator thingy, I've just put her in there and let her cry, checking on her every 15 minutes to console her ( we were up until 1 am with that!) Nothing seems to work. So if anyone knows of anything else please let me know. Thanks
Well we were already on a bedtime routine, bath-bottle-bed. So I started putting her in her crib. I sat in the hallway and let her scream usually about 15 minutes then she would put herself to sleep. The only problem that still remains is that she gets up anywhere from 1-4 hours after she goes to sleep. And because of the way that our house is set up I don't want her to wake the neighbors 5 month old so she ends up in my bed anyway. And the wierdest thing is that as soon as she lays on my bed she's out. So if there's anymore helpful advice on how to get her to just sleep it would be greatly appriciated. Thanks for all the great advice given and for all the good advice to come.
H.
H.,
Sorry you are having a hard time. I think putting her in her bed and her realizing that that is her place to sleep is the only way. I know it is heartbreaking and trying, it took about a week or so for us (1 yr old) and that was it. Good luck!!
Is her crib in your room or in a nursery? If she is feeling lonely maybe try putting her in your room for a while. If that does'nt work try putting stuffed animals that are small in the crib with her that she can hold on too. If you lay her down and she starts crying do not go check on her have a monitor on and listen if she knows you're going to come check on her she will keep crying and that's not good for her or you when she realizes you aren't coming she will lay down and go to sleep this does not happen over one night and its called tough love make sure she can not get out of the crib when you start this I know it sounds mean but you must make her understand its time to go to bed and sometimes we have to be tough for future night of sleep. Boundaries must be set early to have your peace of mind also. I'm an old mom and I remember only too well the problems of raising kids. I hope this will help.
H.,
There is a great book called "Good Night Sleep Tight" the author was on Dr. Phil. Check it out! I bought it and her techniques and very good and she has solutions for all ages, so as your child groes you can follow the book. You will run into different problems she helps you conquer them.
I think you were on the right track with the cry it out. It may seem like it wasn't working, but you have to give it about a week or so, especially since your little one is 10 months old now and surely she has figured out that if she keeps crying...she'll get what she wants in the end. It is going to be a battle of wills until she figures it out and unless you win it...you probably won't get your bed back. Good luck. I know how hard it is to listen to them cry, but as you know, if you start this habit now, it will be really tough to break.
The other thing to try is to work on a bedtime routine. With my daughter, we sit in the rocker and read stories with a small light on and when we're done reading, we say our prayers and turn out the light. Then, we cuddle and rock together for 5-10 minutes. This is long enough for her to get wound down, but not long enough to fall asleep. Then she gives me a hug and kiss and goes into her crib. This works great for us, but you have to let them know that the rocking is only to wind down and that you aren't rocking them to sleep. My daughter loves her "rock, rock" time and she goes right down after. Just think about ways you can work into your bedtime routine to keep things low key and quiet. Best of luck. I hope you're able to figure it out soon and get some rest.
Try using story telling to your baby. It seemed to help my babies when they were young and a favorite stuff toy. Mr sandman story will also help.
Thanks and good luck
I.
Have you tried a white-noise machine? I turn it on everytime my son is in his crib and it puts him to sleep. My son is almost a year old. Most of the noise makers have rain, white-noise, flowing water, etc. It may sound a little annoying if you haven't used one for yourself, but when my son slept in our room for the first 3 months, it gave us the best sleep we have ever had.
Please take a look at the book "The no cry sleep solution" by Elizabeth Pantley- it isn't necessary to make your baby cry it out.
1. I think that letting her cry it out is the way to go...I know that you were up until 1am but I think if you stick with it, the crying time would get shorter and shorter. It may take a few days, maybe even a week but it would be worth it in the end.
2. The Nanny technique seems to work well (on tv). Put the child in the bed and sit on the floor next to them...do not talk to them only look at the floor until they fall asleep. Each night repeat the process but sit closer to the door, eventually she will not need you in the room at all.
Good Luck!
