Bedtime Blues - Winchester,VA

Honestly, you just have to let her cry it out a few times. It really only takes a few nights before they get it and go to sleep on their own. With my son it took about an hour the first night of me going in after 5 mins then after 7 mins then after 10 mins, etc until he gave up and went to sleep. Then the next night it was shorter and so on. I have just started the same with him at nap time and it surprisingly worked pretty fast too. It is SO much easier on both of us now. The first night I stood right outside his door holding myself back from going in b/c they make it sound so terrible but they just know how to get your attention. It does not hurt them and learning how to put themselves to sleep is a valuable tool! Hope that helps:)

I would suggest limiting the rocking time. If you arent already, start using words like "its naptime", or "its bedtime" and lay her down after rocking her for only a limited amount of time. Then progress to not rocking her at all and just using those words. You could also transition from rocking to reading one book before she has to sleep. Unfortunately, if you want her to grow out of the need to be rocked to sleep, you are going to have to listen to her cry. She needs to learn to comfort herself; especially to sleep. It will be a tough process, but it is better for your child to be able to comfort and soothe herself. She will always be your little girl, so dont feel like your losing that baby because you dont rock her anymore or she grows out of it. Happy parenting!

I say to limit the rocking time, and then in a week or so replace it with a story.I say this because I just like many moms have had to do the same. I know what you mean by her being your last baby, but she may go through other stages in her life after the rocking that is going to make you thankful you dont rock anymore. You need "YOU" time just like your other two children need "YOU" time. I rememeber my mom telling us kids,"you dont have to go to sleep, but you have to have quiet time in your room on your bed". We almost always fell for that, and fell asleep.lol.Good luck, and remember this is a opinionated site, and you do what you feel is best for you and your family.I love this website!

S.
I agree to limit the rocking time. It is ok to rock her each night, but not too sleep. She NEEDS to learn to go to sleep on her own. Unfortunately, at this age, you have a battle on your hands because she is use to you rocking her to sleep. The last is hard! You want to hold on so tight because you know she is the last. You will do injustice to yourself and your older daughters if you do not allow her to learn to sleep on her own. It is important that each child have your time. I did not rock my first two, but I do rock princess. When she was young, I rocked her to sleep. Only took about 5-10 min. Then as she got older I began rocking her and signing to her with a timed (25min) night light on. When the light went off, it was time for bed. I would say... "Ok, it is bedtime" and we did love, hugs, kisses. I would give her one last kiss on her nose and say "mama loves you, it is time to go night night." I would lay her down, put the blankets over her and walk out of the room. Now... My daughter DOES still take a pacifier to sleep at nap and bed time! She also has about 8 toys in her crib (since birth) and a Music machine on the side of her crib that she can turn on. It has a light show on the ceiling and plays different songs for about 20 min. We do hear her turn it on when I leave the room, but after 20 - 40 minutes she is usually asleep. She sings and talks to her "babies", but she never really cries and she pretty much goes right to sleep. Nap time, we just simply do love, hugs, kisses and bed. It does take her about 30-50 minutes to get to sleep, but I am ok with that since she is in her crib and she does get to sleep. Now... our bedtime routine is a windup music box she got when she was born. We got to her room and she gets in the chair for "rocky rocky". I get her bed ready (she likes her babies in certain spots LOL). I wind up the music box and sit in the chair with her. We rock and sing quietly for "Quiet time" and then when the music stops (5-7 min), we love, hug, kiss and off to bed. My boys go to bed around 730/8, so I get to spend the time with them. The princess usually goes to bed around 830/9 so she gets a bit more Daddy time as he gets home around 7 each night. Have you tired the No Cry method? http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babysleep/1497581.html
Here are all the methods for you:
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babysleep/babysleep...
Perhaps you may find one or two that work for you. Remember that whatever you choose to be loving but stern. Let your daughter know YOU have control. Be consistent. That is the hardest part of parenting and the biggest mistakes parents make! Your doing a good job mom, you just gotta learn to hold tight, but not over indulge! I KNOW WHAT THE LAST CHILD SYNDROME FEELS LIKE!! HTH
Jenn
Mama to Bryce~9 Austin~6 Taylor~16 mnths
Step Mama to Nich~15 Christian~14

Hi S.! I have 7 year old twins and a 5 year old. Reading to them works really well to put them to sleep. Also singing to them and backrubs. We have a nightime routine brush teeth,go potty,pray and back rub and read or sing if it is not to late. Hope this helps it works great with ours. Routine and schedules also help a lot. N. Ward