3 Year Old Putting Self to Sleep?

I wouldn't give up naps yet. She's still very young.

I co-slept w/ my daughter until she was 3 and did the lay down w/ her until she was asleep too. Here is how I weaned her.

Books and then snuggles in her bed for 2 songs (lullaby cd at night) and then moved to the floor by the foot of her bed. I didn't talk to her, but I stayed there to let her feel safe. I stayed until she was asleep. After a few weeks of this, I started only sitting on the floor for about 10 min. After about a week of that, I just did the books and snuggles and then left the room. I would allow her to ask a few questions, or call me back in once or twice or even come out once or twice, but after that, it's done. I would tell her no more and that I will not be answering her any more that night. It was time to sleep. She's 5 now and we still do this. And, she goes to sleep just fine on her own now. And this from a child who co-slept, even for naps, for the first 3 yrs of her life!!

We were in the same habit with my daughter until 4... and by then had another baby (only 15 mos apart)... Anyway, what finally worked for us (CIO not an option for me practically and philisophically) was to reward her w/ sitckers when she did go to bed by herself. She picked out the stickers and we made a poster board together. She is really proud that she is a big girl now : ). I also had a friend who let her daughter pick out some new sheets (princess) and a night light. Involve them somehow. Good luck and congratulations!

Not really sure how to answer your question. We did the same thing for 3 years. When she started preschool 2 weeks ago she falls asleep on her own now. I think it's because she is up earlier and takes a earlier nap. Without a nap she is just miserable at night. She used to stay up until 11-11:30 now she is asleep by 9:30 the latest. When she tells me that she is tired I take her in her room put on some background noise, tv or her ipod and she falls to sleep right away. Or she falls asleep on the couch and my husband carries her to bed. Either way we are finally going to bed by 10. So maybe if you can get her up earlier in the morning. I don't know what time she gets up but maybe that will help. Good Luck!

We were in the same boat. We used to lie down with him, sings songs, whatever would help, but we didn't leave until he was asleep. Not so easy with a newborn! We started by sitting next to his bed. We would occasionaly pat his back. After a couple of nights I would make up excuses to leave (put laundry in the dryer, unload the dishwasher, whatever else I could think of) with the promise of always coming back to check on him. I gradually increased the amount of time I was gone. Eventually he would fall asleep before I came back. Now he just says goodnight to us and goes to sleep by himself.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

I just had a baby a month ago this week and my girlfriend suggested I get the book "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. It suggest gentle ways to get your baby to sleep through the night. I haven't read it yet because my little one doesn't weigh enough or old enough to be sleeping through the night. But I would imagine it would work for a 3 year old too.

Good luck my friend!

Lay with her for a few minutes.... and then give her an excuse... mommy' has to go to the bathroom, i'll be right back... stay out for 5 minutes or so and then go back and lay with her again,..... then oops, mommy has to go set up the coffee machine/turn on the dishwasher etc... leave for 5 minutes again - and keep doing that until she's asleep. she's old enough that it shouldn't be a real cry it out session,that she can understand that you need to leave for a few minutes but you'll be back. do that for a week or so, and then stay out for 7minutes... then 10.... until you only have to lay down with her for the first 5 minutes.