I have a two-year-old that still wont go to sleep on her own. What do i do?

Tammy - posted on 05/14/2009

Oh Sara...letting her cry is not cruel. And you must assure her daddy that she will be fine. The first time she cries from waking up, go to her room and pat her and tell her that you are there and that she is fine. Do NOT allow her to get up...or it's all over. Then let her cry. If she doesn't cry herself back to sleep within half an hour, go back in and pat her and let her know you are still there and she is fine. You may lose a few nights of sleep, but it will be worth it in the end. When she realizes that you are not going to allow her to get up, she will adjust to the new schedule. And she will still love you in the morning.

Lisa - posted on 05/14/2009

The two posts below are great suggestions. I had the same problem with my son when he was younger. He was to stubborn and smart to fall for the reward chart and I never did feed him anything sugary after 5pm. Like you, I tried everything and like your fiance, I had the delusion that it was cruel to let him cry. In the end, after talking to many Mothers and his pediatrician, I learned that children are very smart and learn how to manipulate us at a very early age. Needless to say, he cried himself to sleep for 2 nights and the problem was solved. If the nice approach works for her, great. If not, try to get your fiance to understand that letting kids cry it out is not cruel or you will be rocking her to sleep till she's 7. As they get older, we make them cry a lot without feeling the least bit sorry about it every time we tell them "no" or to do something they don't want to do. It's no different, you want her to do do something she doesn't want to do, she is going to cry. She will get over it and I promise it won't scar her for life. Good luck.

Tracy - posted on 05/12/2009

My daughter has been sleeping through the night since she was about 7 weeks old, but what has helped us as she got older is not feeding her any fruit or sugary snacks after 5PM and I dim all lights and turn down loud tv's or sounds by 6PM, we also try speaking in lower tones as well.......then I read a couple bedtime books in her bed with her before she lays down. My husband and I watch Super Nanny when we can to get helpful hints with bedtime battles and discipline, seems to help when being consistent.

Shaely - posted on 05/12/2009

It doesn't work for all kids but........................a sticker chart. Put all the things on there for your bedtime routine. Bath, Story, got my blankie etc and as you do them have her help you mark them off. Than do your rocking for 15-20 minutes..............it just takes time and some paitence. You might find if she has the same routine at bedtime she will settle in better and listen for that deep sleep breathing when you are rocking her.............and if she hasn't been without a bottle at bedtime for to long...........she is just getting used to not having that as well. Hope this helped because after 5 and 1 Granddaughter I can tell you it is all a guessing game.