NEED advice on sleep training.. PLEASE!!

Jamie - posted on 08/27/2011

a twin bed may be too big for her, that much space can be scary at that age, she may be scared, i reccomend a toddler bed with side rails, it is more enclosed and will make her feel safer. I had a somewhat similar situation, except my daughter didnt know her daddy at all until she was over a year old due to deployment, and when he got home she was very mad that she had to share attention, and knew he was there when I layed her down she tried everything she could for me to take her back out of the bed. I gave in and let her sleep with us for a couple weeks thinking it would help her to know that this was daddy and it's okay that mommy is with him, but then all the hard work i did to keep her in her own bed totally went out the window and she relied on me cuddling with her to get to sleep. After a couple weeks I just said enough was enough and i layed her in her own bed, she cried, A LOT the first night, and I went in her room every 5-10 minute and just layed her down, didnt spend any more than 30 seconds in her room and just said its bedtime close your eyes i love you and covered her up, it took about an hour and a half the first night, the next night was only 20 minutes, and the third night she was fine and went right to sleep. Since she has been fine for the most part, but there has been a few times shes tried getting up again, and i would just lay her back down and close the door again. It may take a while and you have to be very consistant with her, i wish you the best and hope it all works out for you guys!

Nicole - posted on 08/25/2011

Do you have a night-time routine? My night-time routine with my daughter(27months) consists of reading a few books in her room with just a small light on, a cup of milk, and her blanket. I rock her while I read and then either after 2-3 books or when she tells me, she is put to bed and I walk out. I don't know what kind of routine you have but find one and stick to it. Same time same thing everynight. Don't go from watching t.v. to bed-give her that down quiet time before bed and start skipping naps or shorten naps during the day if she still takes them. My daughter decided on her own when she was 22months that she was done with naps so she's very tired by the time bedtime comes around. Good luck.

Kristin - posted on 08/24/2011

I have the same problem with my 21month old & almost 5 yr old (& when there 14 yr old was liitle,HER TOO until she was 6!) They wont go in their own beds at night & if I do manage to get my 4yr old in her own bed (which is in an adjoining room to mine & we can see eachother from each of our beds) she ends up sneaking in either within minutes or eventually throughout the night. I am a single mom & know that I am the one who created these little monsters by letting them sleep with me early on so I could get some sleep but know I dont get the sleep I need because they kick & punch me all night long. I've tried moving them into their beds once they are asleep (even more than once per night) but they STILL wake up & run in with me! It's insane & I NEED SLEEP!
Sorry I have no advice but I can definetly feel your pain.
Good luck!

Brenda - posted on 08/17/2011

Read the book, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer by Tracy Hogg. Brilliant!!

Valerie - posted on 08/16/2011

I had the exact same problem with my 2 yr old son we had to live in a hotel for 3 mths so he got used to sleeping with us all the time too and we went through the same problems. He now goes to bed in his own room without too much fuss. First does she have a favorite movie or something she likes to listen too? For my son its Dora I put it on for him in his room and he watches it till he falls asleep. A mother on here suggested to me to give them a book they like and let them have it in their crib then just get it later. The book didnt work for me instead he has a favorite monkey and bear he sleeps with. The hardest part is going to be having to let them cry I had to have my husband practically hold me down so I didnt get him. It killed me to hear him cry but thats exactly what they need I went in periodically and reassured him its ok and I rubbed his back but didn't pick him up and he eventually fell asleep. It can be a long process but the end result is well worth it. Good Luck :)