My daughter will be turning 1 in a week and a half and she has never slept all the way throught the night (or even come close). Not only is she still wanting a bottle every night around 2-4am, she wakes up crying several times a night crying for her binky, or to crawl around on the bed (she cosleeps with us), or it's so bad sometimes, that nothing will help her stop crying and we have to pick her up and walk around with her until she falls asleep. It just seems like this shouldn't be happening still at her age. I know a lot of people say we should try her in a crib rather than cosleeping, but we have tried it and she does the same thing. We're desperate for some sleep! Any advice? We follow attachment parenting practices and aren't willing to do cry it out, although that's what many people tell us to do.
K.
One thing that may help you get at least a little more sleep is to try changing nap times and the time you put your daughter to bed it may help her be more sleepy at night, but it can also take time to find times that help her sleep longer.
Hi K.,
First off congrats on making it so long with no sleep! My son is 9 months and we followed attachtment parenting until I stopped nursing at around 6 months. I found the same thing was happening... he wasn't sleeping thru the night. Then I read Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Baby and It changed our lives. Any fears you might have about "crying it out" will totally be gone after you read this book. It really works... Good luck!
Our 2 year old slept with us until he was just over a year old. We put him to bed and let him cry. I went to him & gave him a hug and laid him back down after 10 minutes, then 15, then 20. I never picked him up or talked to him more than "it's ok, it's time to sleep, I love you". It only took a week. It was a hard week, but it worked. My doctor had told us that the 'letting him cry' method wouldn't really work until a year old or so anyway. Hopefully your daughter's time will come soon.
Hi K.,
Have you let her cry it out? It is so tough to do but it really works. My son who, is now 4, did that as well and we let him cry it out for about 3 nights and he became a great sleeper. The other piece of advice that I got from a doctor is to not interact with her as you put her back to bed. ie...your daughter crys, stands up in the crib, you go in and lay her back down without talking or making eye contact, and leave the room. Each night it lessens and eventually you get a full night without interuption. This works well with my 2 year old daughter. Hope this helps and good luck!!
K.
