15 month old crying when put down for the night

Natasha - posted on 03/28/2010

I did it the hard way!!! When Callum woke in the night I stopped paying any attention and just stayed next to his cot rubbing his back not really saying much at all.....plus I never turned the light on. I slowly decreased any milk he was having (I was breastfeeding) and increased potions of food during the day. Then I just offered water to drink in the night.

Eventually he realised waking up was a waste of time, also its important to get their daytime naps or naps right. I did get a lot of advice from Gina Ford and Tracey Hogg.

However when Callum is teething or is generally unable to sleep he makes its very obviously he is not going back to sleep. I have got used to his actions and understand a little more about his temperament each day. When I started on the path of "you will sleep" I sometimes stood next to the cot comforting him for hrs, Its hard work but it was worth it in the end.

I am now trying controlled crying to get him to sleep on his own. It has not been easy and because he is older he is more strong willed but I know it will be worth it in the. The advantage is I don't have another child to care for and I have decided not to return to work for a while so I can completed get Callum on the path of good behaviour.

I hope this helps....but patience is the key, I'm my opinion.

Vikki - posted on 03/27/2010

My daughter Madison doesn't like to sleep.. nore did my middle sone tobius.. neither of them have been good sleepers right from day one Tobius is 3 now and still wakes in the night.. not for anything he just wakes up.. Madison wakes crying for her bottle then goes off if i am lucky but i average about 4 to 5 hours aleep a night on a good night.. any advice is welcome lol

Natasha - posted on 03/26/2010

My son has slept 12 hrs for a while now but settling him has become a problem. He used to go out in my arms then i would put him in the cot, but now he wakes up instantly and cries endlessly. I have started the control crying with him it seems to be working but it has surprised me how one minute he would settle easily and the next not at all......I am guessing its a mixture of new awareness of the world and teething.

How do you put your son down for bed?

Rita - posted on 03/25/2010

thanks by the way :)

Rita - posted on 03/25/2010

i think it was the time change now that i think about it

Holly - posted on 03/25/2010

at least he's settling down and sleeping. he's probably just wound up from the day. you may have to readjust his bedtime. I moved mine a half hour later and now he sleeps 11-12 hours at night!!!! (I was lucky if I got 9 before).