My baby will not sleep by himself for more than 1/2 an hour at a time!

Peggy - posted on 01/29/2009

He maybe getting too old and want more than breastmilk and needs to be broke from it.

Peggy - posted on 01/29/2009

Does your baby have any kind of stomach disorder. Colic?  Have you tried giving him a dose of childrens tylenol drops before putting him to bed. I know it cant be done consistently but if it works . Also my dear your breastmilk may not be satisfing him or her. Sometimes it isn't strong enough or something like that.

Desarae' - posted on 01/26/2009

My son is 7 1/2 months and has slept with me up until a few weeks ago when I decided it was time he sleep in his own crib. Until I started putting him to sleep by himself he was sleeping all night and definately not wanting to eat if he did wake up. After we started the sleep training he was waking up every 1-3 hours and (what I thought) was wanting to eat! I finally researched it enough and realized that just my going to him was making him want to eat. So I started not going after him right when he cried. If I waited just a few minutes, sure enough, the crying was over and he was back to sleep! It's been a couple weeks and he still wakes a couple times but it's getting better everyday and the crying only lasts a couple minutes!

Julie - posted on 01/22/2009

I have two daughters...both didn't want to sleep in their own beds, they didn't get why I could sleep with Daddy but they had to sleep alone.

I had to do what needed to be done! I involved them in decorating their rooms (twinkle lights, posters, teddy's...) and then created a routine of bath, pj's, then off to bed for a story...(ONE STORY) then kiss and hug! Of course they didn't stay in bed the first few nights, but I kept putting them back. It's exhausting, but now they know,bedtime is sleep time!! The youngest is three and I've had my bed and she has hers. Crying doesn't hurt them, it just kills us! Stick to it and good luck!

Jo - posted on 01/22/2009

hi ya i can relate to your situation because my 2 year old daughter was the same untill new year ! she has always sdnuggled with me and fell asleep in my arms for all her sleeps and then i have to put her on the sofa when she has completly gone for bout an hr so she is sound asleep!! then transfer her to her cot, she would sleep in the cot for about 5 hrs and then wake and then end up in our bed cos im so knackered i cant keep up with her !, and i had enough in the end and said right in the new year i will put her to bed and let her soothe her self so that if she wakes in the night she can get back to sleep, it only took a week and she is brilliant now ! i even lay her down for naps in her cot in the day!! so its achievable just stick firmly to it !!! good luck jo xxxx

Kathy - posted on 01/22/2009

My youngest child is 4 years-old.  She has been sleeping through the night since she was 2 months old.  Someone recommended a book for me when I was pregnant with her:  "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" ( I'm not sure who the author is) - it was a life saver.  It explains the sleep patterns and offers tools to help your child sleep well.  I never thought it would work, but it did. 

Vanessa - posted on 01/22/2009

My child never slept either. I read everything!! :) The only thing I could get to work was a very strict schedule. I never woke him to keep the schedule, but I followed a daily routine, especially at night. Daily, naps, regardless of time, were with all standard noises--TV, dishwasher, vacuum, etc.; At a certain time every night, I fed him, bathed him and had QUIET time in his room, which usually included night light, soft music or me singing, breast feeding him, and NO ONE ELSE IN THE ROOM....getting him calmed down for the evening. Then I would lie him in his crib just as he was going to sleep. It took a few weeks, but it finally worked. I stuck to that schedule (had to go back to work and needed sleep). It took a little longer than a few weeks for him to sleep throughout the entire night, but the schedule (in my opinion) definitely helped. I did it even when I traveled. Good Luck! I know how you feel.

Rebecca - posted on 01/22/2009

Hi! My baby, Grace, was the same way. At first she would only sleep when being held, or if she was in bed between my husband and I. We got something called "swaddle me" from Babies R Us. It is a sleep sack with wings that have velcro and wrap around the baby to swaddle them. Every night I give her a bath, feed her, and then wrap her in the "swaddle me". She loves the comfort of it and it makes her feel like she is held. I can then put her in the crib and she sleeps for about 4-6 hours at a time (not bad for a 6 week old). When she wakes up I feed her, change her, and put her back in the swaddler. She goes right back to sleep. Unfortunatly they do feed often with breastmilk, but I get up and feed her and am now able to go right back to bed. It's worth a shot if you are still having to hold your son all night. Good luck!  :)

Allie - posted on 01/22/2009

I disagree with letting your baby cry it out. I've tried that several times with my (now) 4 month old. She will cry herself sick. I have let her just cry but she will cry until she vomits. I tried this at different times of day as well as different ages.

I struggled for awhile too, as my girl would only sleep if someone held her, in the bed with mom and dad or sometimes in her swing. Well I am very happy to say that she is sleeping through the night now! She sleeps in her swing. I feel sick about it because we spent some money on a nice crib that she has only spent about a total of 3 hours in since she was born. I am hoping that she will get some use out of her crib when she is a little older. Good thing is that it is a convertible crib.

So I would try the swing. It may take a few nights for your baby to get used to it but I would think that eventually he/she would sleep through the night.

I had found that if my baby was in the bed with us, she would wake several times and I would just roll over and nurse her. It felt like I was nursing her all night, so that was when I started leaving her in her swing. Luckily, it worked. She only woke a few times (2-3 times) the first couple of nights and then it was only once (4am), but that was with a bedtime of 8:30pm.  Now, if she goes to bed before 10pm, she'll wake at 4am but then sleep til 8am (my time to get up). If I put her down at 10pm or later, she will get up sometime between 6 and 7am.

Good luck!! Hang in there!

Ally - posted on 01/22/2009

Try the baby sleep book ...it is great...my daughter started doing the same thing after being a great sleeper for several months. The book helped me realize how to cope and enjoy this time when they still want to snuggle with you ..it will be over all too soon...please don't let them cry it out alone...if you really do your research (because tons of studies have been done on the harmful effect of it ) you will find that it is quite possibly the worst approach to the problem...it may seem to work but the baby is not benefitting physically or emotionally...hope you get some sleep soon!

Shannon - posted on 01/22/2009

I love the book. THE SLEEP SOLUTION. It teaches you alot about an infants sleep cycle and how to help them get back to sleep on their own. It worked for us.

Andrea - posted on 01/22/2009

You need to start the pick up put down method. It works every time. You need to start a routine with your son by setting a time for bath and last feed. I found it easier if I got my children to settle down for about half an hour before I was ready to bath. Then I bathed and fed the baby before putting in their own bed awake. They are clean, full and should be ready for sleep. You basically have to put them in the cot and allow them to cry for around five minutes then go back in speaking with a quiet voice telling them they are just going to sleep/it's just bedtime. Pick them up give a reasuring cuddle and then place back in cot saying goodnight and walk away even if they are crying straight away again. Gradually increase the time you leave in betweeen and eventually he will give in and realise you are still there and go to sleep. It is really hard not to give in so choose a night to start when you won't mind being up throught the night a lot. It usually only takes a few nights to work but may take up to two weeks. You must be strong and not give in by putting him in your bed with you . Good luck!!

Mary - posted on 01/22/2009

The book i mentioned is Good Nights by Jack Newman. My girlfriend recommended it to me and it helped to see this point of view. In reading these other responses about a baby needing to be able to "self-sooth" etc i just dont in my heart feel that it makes sense and thats what you have to decide for yourself. Human babies come out so helpless and remain dependent on us for a long time in lots of ways. Why do we feel entitled to shorten this time and force them to become independent so young? i think its possible that its because most mothers work outside the home in our society so we are stretched thin with responsibilities. but i'd try to cut corners in other areas and give your son the most of you that you have to give. cause like you said, he'll be grown in no time and you'll wish you had that time back!

Mary - posted on 01/22/2009

Our daughter sleeps with us and also breastfeeds whenever she wants at night. she did it every 2-3 hrs for a while but now that she is 12 months old its maybe 2 times- more when she's sick (i dont count really early morning feeds when we sleep in) i always felt good about the idea of meeting her needs and not letting her cry so when i was feeling frustrated i "googled it" and found out there are lots of moms/families who do it this way and believe it is best for the baby and the bond between baby and parents. Also many doctors and scientists agree (not to mention other cultures). Once I realized this i felt fine about it and have decided to continue. All the stuff i read really makes sense- that a baby needs that closeness at night at this young age- i'll get the name of a book for you and post it in a minute... :) good luck!

Tamara - posted on 01/21/2009

you are making it worse by lying down with him, i did the same with my first i went to a sleep cliinic and they dont need night feeds from 5-6 month.

I was taught to put them to bed, if they cry leave them for 5 min, then go in and calm them down, though if he is hysterical go in earlier, pat his back, do what you can if he doesnt settle, pick him up till he settles, once settled (not sleeping) put him back, and walk out, it will take a while, and its hard, but the more you hold him they more he gets what he wants, extend the time by 5 min each time you leave. it took me a week.

i actually did it during the day i took my washing in the room and put my daughter in bed, i sat near the door where she could see me and folded washing walking in and out so she knew i would come back... that was a good start for me as then i was comfortable to do it at night cause i knew she was ok

good luck

Elizabeth - posted on 01/21/2009

I had lots of people recommending the cry it out method. Last weekend I left my son with a friend, and he wasn't happy about it. He cried for 4 hours. Through lunch time, through nap time, until I got there. Everyone was shocked except me that he never got tired, never wore himself out and went to sleep. So no, crying it out doesn't work for every baby. But I totally understand desperately needing some nap time, because Stefan is exactly the same way. You could try Dr. Sears' High Need Baby book. It hasn't stopped him needing someone next to him to sleep, but it made me a little more ok with it. Good luck!

Donna - posted on 01/21/2009

I got a book from the library - The Happiest Baby on the Block - when my youngest was 3 months old & wouldn't sleep more than 15 minutes unless held during the day.  The best part that I learned from there was to swadle him - tightly, they have diagrams in the book - and to put him down with some noise.  I swaddled him really well, then strapped him into the bouncy seat (vibrating turned on!), and put the bouncy seat in the bathroom with the door closed & vent fan running.  The very first time, he took a 3 hour nap!!  I then continued to swaddle every time I put him down & it worked WONDERFULLY!  He was my fourth - only 2 yrs after twins - I NEEDED some nap time from him.

Good luck - D

Natalie - posted on 01/21/2009

my first advice is to LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR BODY IS TELLING YOU. you have an amazing connection to your baby. if it doesn't feel right ... don't do it!!! if it does, do it even if everyone else says not to.



my second piece of advice is that it doesn't have to be all or nothing with the cry it out. i didn't let my children cry it out until they were able to understand me. my "story" is below if you are interested. being a mother of 3, i have had 3 opertunities to try it out and it has worked with all 3 of them.



i am for and against the cry it out route. i have 3 children (5 yr, 3.5 yr, and 15 m). my first one wouldn't sleep or lay in her crib for more than 20 minutes without screaming. so i went with the attatchment parenting that Dr Sears talks about. i didn't give in to her but astablished trust with her by answering to her cries. she couldn't tell me what she needed so i felt it was my job to figure it out and take care of that need for her.



my plan is that i allowed her to start crying it out when i could tell that she understood me. i started with her playing in her crib and saying "mommie will be right back" and would leave the room to put away clothes or start supper. i would slowly stretch it out and around 2 i made her room (and the next baby's) a "yes room" where everything was were she could get into without getting into trouble or getting hurt. it had a gate on it so i could leave her in there while i did other things around the house.



it worked well expect she would cry so loudly at the gate, but i know that she was okay and i would come and check on her and "visit" some. it got better over time. i now have a 15 month old boy who is quite the same. he sleeps in a crib in my room. my husband or i put him down after he is finished eating and has drifted off to sleep. if we are able to we will hold him while he resettles and lay him back down. but if that doesn't work we bring him into bed with us. when he gets to be around 2 we will bring in a toddler bed and put it right next to ours (just like we did with my daughter) and that way he is close but we still have our bed to ourselves. we start with naps on the toddler bed first and then move to the night time where then we can just reach over and pat him and reassure him that we are there. eventuallly he might have to cry it out but at least he will be old enough to understand why mommie or daddy isn't there.

Sharon - posted on 01/21/2009

You say he's eating all night, but does he eat all day too? I would suggest that maybe he is hungry for "real" food, not just a bottle or breast.

And as for the sleeping with you or not debate, do what YOU believe in YOUR heart of hearts to be the most natural and best thing for you and your babe. Our year-and-a-half year old sleeps with my husband and I, and we all love it. We believe that letting them cry it out doesn't teach them to self-soothe; instead, it teaches them that they might as well give up because no one is coming for them. North Americans are obsessed with getting their babies to sleep through the night, and alone. Other cultures are much more "family bed" friendly. So don't do what you feel you "should" either way, do what you feel is right for you.

Lesa - posted on 01/21/2009

My advice would be to go to www.askdrsears.com and read about attachment parenting. This helped me a lot. I slept with my son until he was two. He is able to self soothe and can go to sleep in his own bed with no problems, and no crying. It is what you are comfortable with as a parent and what you want. I hope this helps. :) Good luck with whatever you decide.

Alanna - posted on 01/21/2009

Talk with your peditrician, but my peditrician told me to feed on demand while my daughter was an infant and feed on her schedule, not mine. A baby who does not get their needs met does stop crying. They stop crying because they learn their needs are going to be met, not because the need goes away.

Lauren - posted on 01/21/2009

Hey Jessica -

   My son is 9 months old and just finally started sleeping better. I noticed a connection between bowel movements and sleep. He sleeps MUCH better when he has pooped before bed. I gave him an enema 1 1/2 hr before bed every night for a week(after talking to his dr). After that, it became routine, and sleep came much easier.

   Another thought - does your son have reflux? Reflux can make a baby extremely uncomfortable when laying down, and also make them feel like they need to eat to soothe the burning. He does not have to spit up to have reflux.

Elizabeth - posted on 01/21/2009

I have to agree with those wise moms who are telling you to let him cry it out. It will break your heart at first, and you need to have a friend you can call when it seems like it's not working to help and encourage you to stick it out. My sons are 18, 17, and 10. We let our boys cry it out and, believe it or not, they slept through the night alone by the age of 2 months (with the exception of our middle one who was preemie and had colic-with him it was more like 6 months).

You are the parent and you need to let him know when it's time to eat and sleep, not the other way around. The key to raising young children is consistency. When it's time for him to go to sleep (nap or nighttime), put him in his crib and sing or talk to him. Rub his tummy or back for a few minutes and walk out of the room. He will cry, but let him for about 10-15 minutes. Then go in and reassure him that you're still around, talk to him quietly and rub his back, but don't pick him up. Then leave. Do this 2-3 times. If he cries for more than 1/2 hour, go in and pick him up, but try again.

In most cases, he will learn to self-soothe within a week or two. This could be the toughest two weeks of your life, but stick with it. It's worth it, believe me.

Alanna - posted on 01/21/2009

I'm an infant mental health specialist and do not recommend letting a 5 month old cry it out. Crying is how babies communicate that they need you. Have you tried swaddling as he sleeps? Breast fed babies need to bed more frequently than formula fed babies, so he is probably hungry and needs to be fed. If you think he is nursing for comfort, you could try a pacifier to help him soothe if you don't want to nurse. Some babies take longer than others to sleep through the night. Evey baby is different, which makes it hard to get advice from so many people. I know it sucks. It was a long time before my daughter slept through the night and i cursed all those moms and babies that slept through the night early!  What about having him sleep in  a co-sleeper next to your bed so you can reach him quickly?

Meling - posted on 01/21/2009

I would invest in a baby swing.  It helped my two month old child.  Nap time she used to wake up every twenty minutes so we decided to buy a swing that rocks very gently and she would sleep for hours.  During the night she sleeps in her car seat for about 4-7 hours depending how tired or hungry she would be.  Babies loves to be swaddle and be in closed in places like the womb where they've stayed in our bellies for 40 weeks.

I also did this for my two year old and now she loves sleeping in her bunkbed (bottom bed is a double bed) on her own without any difficulties.  She started sleeping in her own bed about 1.5 years old. 

Good luck!

Lauren - posted on 01/21/2009

Everyone says to cry it out, but it just doesn't work sometimes!  Be flexible.  The same thing doesn't work for everyone.  If you can't let him cry it out you're not a failure!

Nicole - posted on 01/21/2009

This is going to suck, you have to let him cry, wait 5 minutes go back in put him back under the blankets and give dummy back( if he has one) but don't talk to him, you CAN'T give in or it wont work and it will take a long time but he will finally understand that your not going anywhere. I have a 3 year old and a 6 month old when my eldest was only 2 months old I made the mistake of putting her in our bed, 1 night with us took 2 weeks and many a sleepless night to get her back into her own bed. Its hard I know but when you get to have the bed to yourself and he is happy its all worth it. He will test you with everything but stand your ground, even a babe of a couple of weeks already has their mums worked out. Just remember its all good don't stress (it's an emotional waste of time!) just keep with it, it's not as bad as you think! :)

Lauren - posted on 01/21/2009

Does your baby have a lot of gas problems?  My little guy did and nothing worked.  Not crying it out nothing.  In fact, when I did let him cry it out it only made his gas worse (!) and he would cry for 3 hours straight!!  Even then it didn't work.

So, my parents (my baby's grandparents) tried something we're told not to do: they put him on his belly.  AND IT WORKED.  I get it just makes those gas pains go away.  Now if he wakes up he rolls over, cries, I pick him up and soothe him back to sleep, then put him back onto his belly and he falls asleep.  As soon as we started doing this he started sleeping.  Instantly.

As long as your baby can roll over, why not try it?  Put him down when he's fast asleep and see if it works.  By 6 months I was willing to try anything to get my baby to sleep, and I am SO glad I did.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

I have to agree strongly with the moms who have recommended that you give the "let cry" routine have a chance. IT WILL BREAK YOUR HEART, but it will teach your baby a VERY important life skill... "self soothing".  Your baby needs to learn, and can and will learn to soothe himself.  Again, it is a terrifying thought, and 20 minutes may seem like hours when you're sitting in the other room just waiting.  If you want to, you can start out with 5 minutes before you "save him" for a day or two, then do 7 minutes, then 10, etc, etc.  I promise you, it will eventually work, and it will eventualy make him a happier baby and you a happier mommy.  The journey may be hard but will be more than worth it.

GOOD LUCK!

Courtney - posted on 01/21/2009

My daughter is almost 5 months and already sleeps through the night.  The first few months she would only sleep in her swing and if one of us were holding or rocking her. She would not have it sleeping in her crib. As soon as she was put down she would immediately start crying and being new parents we automatically went running to pick her up thinking something was wrong. At  3 months we decided to let her "cry" it out. It was heartbreaking at first but after a few days the crying only lasted 15 min tops.  We would then "dream feed" her before our bedtime ( 10:30 ish) and then feed her again when she would wake in the night.   She would be good untill around 7 the next morning.  Once she reached 4 months we stopped the night time feeding as some nights she had fallen asleep by the time a bottle was prepared ( was already over 16lbs) . I think she was just used to receiving a bottle at that time of night but clearly did not need it.. After 3-4 days the waking up at that time was limited to maybe 10-15 seconds of  crying (if  you can even call it that) I would peak in her room just to see and she would be pretty much still sleeping!  I know all babies are different and there are people who definitely disagree with this approach but in my oppinion it definitely works (with the exception of sickness or teething).  With lots of sleep for everyone, this household is a very happy one! :)

Courtney - posted on 01/21/2009

My daughter is almost 5 months and already sleeps through the night.  The first few months she would only sleep in her swing and if one of us were holding or rocking her. She would not have it sleeping in her crib. As soon as she was put down she would immediately start crying and being new parents we automatically went running to pick her up thinking something was wrong. At  3 months we decided to let her "cry" it out. It was heartbreaking at first but after a few days the crying only lasted 15 min tops.  We would then "dream feed" her before our bedtime ( 10:30 ish) and then feed her again when she would wake in the night.   She would be good untill around 7 the next morning.  Once she reached 4 months we stopped the night time feeding as some nights she had fallen asleep by the time a bottle was prepared ( was already over 16lbs) . I think she was just used to receiving a bottle at that time of night but clearly did not need it.. After 3-4 days the waking up at that time was limited to maybe 10-15 seconds of  crying (if  you can even call it that) I would peak in her room just to see and she would be pretty much still sleeping!  I know all babies are different and there are people who definitely disagree with this approach but in my oppinion it definitely works (with the exception of sickness or teething).  With lots of sleep for everyone, this household is a very happy one! :)

Lisa-Daniel - posted on 01/21/2009

It will only get harder to let him cry it out as he gets older.  I urge you to do it now.  My daughter (now 7 months) had two heart operations as a 3 week old and we hesitated to go the hard road at first.  She used to wake often through the night for feeds and replacement of her dummy.  Our paediatrician encouraged us to offer her water instead of feeds through the night.  One night I decided to get rid of the dummy and with a minimal amount of crying (only around 5 mins each time she would wake) within 2 nights she slept through the whole night (7pm-6am).  The key is that your baby has to learn to self settle.  If he depends on you to get to sleep, he will need you every time he wakes up.  All babies wake up during the night, but if they can self settle, you will not even hear a peep from them.  It was the best thing we ever did!  Also, a baby that has a good night sleep is going to be cognitively more aware and alert during the day.

Candance - posted on 01/21/2009

If your son is 5 months old he has no idea how to ask for you, other than to cry.  When he cries in the night and you do not answer him you are breaking that trust he has in  you!  It will be traumatic to both of you to "Ferberize".  Even Ferber himself admitted he was wrong!!!  Co-sleeping is the best answer to your problem.  How comforting is it to have him right there with you? You both get the sleep you need.  If you are nursing him you can feed him without even waking up to do so. 

Jessica - posted on 01/21/2009

Thanks so much for all of your help and posts. I guess I'm dreading the "let him cry" route. I know eventually I'll have to, but I can't help but think about how one day he'll have no interest in cuddling with his mom and I'll wish I had him as a little one in my bed again!

Jessica - posted on 01/21/2009

Kendra, my son is 5 months on the 25th of January. In the beginning he would sleep by himself in the cradle for about one hour before he needed to eat/get picked up.

Heather - posted on 01/21/2009

My son started sleeping through the night with no feedings at around 3 months old. I would put him in his bed with his passy, he would cry for 5 minutes or so an then he would go to sleep. A few times he woke up that first week wanting a bottle and I gave him water instead. After a couple of times of that he did not wake during the night...until he started teething, but again I did not pick him up...I just patted him on the back and he went back to sleep. He is now 2 1/2 and he sleeps between 11 and 12 hours straight most nights...unless he is sick. So it depends on how old your baby is and what you are willing to do to get him in a good sleeping habit.

DeVona - posted on 01/21/2009

Honey, depending on how old your little one is, you might have do something that you will DREAD doing but will learn to get used to, and that's let him cry his little self to sleep. Sleeping with my son was absolutely the worst thing I could've started doing. So now thats he's 6 months I want him out the bed!! the best advice my aunt could"ve gave me is to lay him down when it"s time for bed, give him kisses to make him comfortable and walk out of the room. Its only been 2 weeks and already he's falling asleep alone with less crying (crying goes on for 5-10 mins and then he's fast asleep NO JOKE) and no coddling and rocking whatsoever!!! Surrond him with things in his crib that he likes and gradually h'ell learn how to "self soothe" and you'll be on your way to better nights rest!! Good Luck, let me know how it goes.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Amy - posted on 01/21/2009

We have a 2 y/o & a 9 m/o & they sleep with us in our king bed. It has started feeling really crowded so I brought the crib into the room, took the side rail off (the kind that converts to a toddler bed) and shoved it against our bed. Our toddler thinks it's so cool and happily sleeps there after nursing. He occasionally wakes, but I think he is working on 2-yr molars.



I believe little ones aren't designed to be alone, so I'm making the most of this special time while it lasts. Too soon we'll wish they still wanted to cuddle. I believe little ones need that closeness and security as much as they need diaper changes. As parents, we'll always have a reason not to sleep well lol, so I figure I'll give my guys what they need for as long as they need it.

Megan - posted on 01/21/2009

I wish you the best of luck... my son is two and has slept with us since he was born... BIG MISTAKE on my part.. at first I loved having him in my bed... but now I would like my bed and my sleep back... we got him a racecar bed right when we moved into our new house, we thought... new room, new bed, etc maybe he will sleep in it... he did a few nights and actually slept through the night... then one night my husband let him sleep with us after a nightmare and he has been there since... he will only sleep like two hours in his bed and then I will hear him screaming for me as he comes running across the house to my room... I have a three month old who will only sleep in her swing at night while it is not swinging... I have tried everything with both of them and I'm out of ideas too... haha the joys of motherhood... I'm hoping that my son will get use to his bed if I keep going in there when he wakes up... I'm going to get a baby monitor now so I can hear him before he is at my bedroom door. As for my baby I'm going to keep putting her in her crib at naptimes and on the weekends when I have her dad home to help... maybe I can get a nap in and she will get use to her bed. GOOD LUCK!!

Caitlin - posted on 01/21/2009

My 5 month old daughter does the exact same thing! I have started to sooth her back to sleep when she wakes after only a short sleep. I DO NOT pick her up and leave her to fall back asleep. Its starting to get better slowly, the past 3 nights she has only woke up 3 times through the night which is much better :-) Hope you can find something that works for you and your little one. Good Luck!

Sandy - posted on 01/21/2009

I breast feed both of my kids one was almost 2, my yooungest just stopped she is 1 1/2. My first was just like your little one. I learned w/ my second at night feeding When she got older old enough that she should be sleeping through the night just to let her cry most of the time she would just go back to sleep. I told myself if she is crying after 10 mins I'll go in there and nurse her. Then put her back to sleep, then leave and do that again. I wish I would have done this earlier. I only took about 3 nights, she still crys out, for about a minute then goes right back to sleep. And sleeps in her bed until about 5 : 30 am . It's hard to hear her cry but I was not geting any sleep anyway. If you have nursed her she is probabley not waking up because he is hungry but because it is a habit. I read somewhere that our sleep cycle is every 3 hours and even as adults we tend to wake a little every 3 hours but we go back to sleep. Good Luck You can do this. Congrats on the breastfeeding !!!

Peggy - posted on 01/21/2009

Have you always lied down with him?  Does he sleep in the same room as you? Have you talked to the doctors? Have you tried laying him in his bed and just walking away and allowing him to cry for 15 -20 minutes til he falls asleep. It isnt normal to eat all night . You need to ask the doctors about that. How much does he weigh.? Give me some answers and I will see what I can come up with.

Crystal - posted on 01/21/2009

OMG, my son is going to be 2 in April and he will not sleep alone either. We thought it was the crib, we took it down before he turned one and put him in a car toddler bed. Still he will sleep in there for maybe four hours tops, and he will sleep through the night in my bed. Only twice has he slept in his own bed through the entire night. It is so frustrating, not only does he need sleep but mommy does too in order to function. SO I just grab him when he wakes up (if its in the middle of the night) and bring him in our bed!!!!!