Help with Getting BACK on Track!!

My sister had the same problem with her 18 month old. They started letting him sleep in their bed just so they could get some sleep after numerous attempts of letting him cry it out. She ended up seeing a sleep theripst it got so bad. Here's what she had to do: She had to put a twin bed on the floor in his room. The first week she slept with him on the twin bed in his room---not ideal, I know. The second week her husband had to sleep in the twin bed while the baby was in his crib. When he would cry, all he said was "it is time to sleep Jack, go to sleep. Do not pick them up out of their crib. My sister never thought this would work but talked to a friend that had to do the same thing and it was working for her so my sister tried it after a month of putting it off. After the two week stint he sleeps in his bed through the night, she couldn't believe it. It has now been about a month and he is still in his own bed sleeping throught the night. I'm sure there are different fixes for each case but this worked for her. If it doesn't work I would talk to the Doctor about a pediatric sleep theripst to see what works best for your case. I know it sounds like a lot of work---hope this helps.

What worked for me with my son (now 2 1/2 years old)... after he was sick, he wanted to sleep with us, too, so I understand.
We put him in his toddler bed (he started using one at 15 months) and said good-night. After 5 minutes, we went in and laid him back down, said good night, and walked out. 10 minutes later, we did it again. We kept up the 10 minute intervals until he went to sleep. Each time we laid him down, we only touched him to lay him back down, and we only said "good night" the first time. Other times we were silent.
The first night took about 45 minutes. The second night took 15 minutes. The third night he slept.
We followed the same routine at night that we used for his naps, and maybe because it was the same, he fell asleep faster, I don't know. But he knows all about bedtime and even reminds us when we don't do something correctly!

Good Morning C., I love Super Nanny Jo. On one show there were twins that ran their parents ragged at bedtime. So much so that each parent slept with a child every night. Had done this since the children were I think one yr old. Twins were I think 3 on the show.

What Jo had them do, almost like your first poster was put them in their beds, tell them it's bedtime. Sit on the floor in tier room and each time they got up put them back in bed only the first time say again It's bedtime. Never say another word after that, just put them back. Mom did it one night, dad did it the the next. First time it took 90 minutes, dad's turn took 30 minutes.

I know your little girl probably is still in a crib but you could possibly do the same thing. Lay her down stay nightie night, it's bedtime baby, and sit on the floor in the dark by the door. If she sits up or stands up lay her back down, say bedtime baby, and sit down again. Next time not a word just lay her down.
Worth a shot anyway....lol Don't forget to give Dad his turn!! Don't want to leave the Big Daddy out of all the fun stuff.

God Bless C..
K. Nana of 5
PS, if ya want 10 of um, just don't call me to babysit...*laughing* Big families though are So much fun!!
A friend of mine is working on her 10th. She wants an even number....lol All their names start with E, oldest I think is 18, youngest is 1 last Dec.

I would say that you are not letting her cry long enough. I had a very hard time with cry in out, but it really worked for us. I went from getting up several times a night with Jack to him sleeping on his own. Make sure that you are keeping a consistent nighttime routine with her that doesn't allow her to be anywhere near you room. Then, once you put her to bed (do so awake, so she knows where she is expected to sleep) and then let her cry for 10 minutes. After that, go in and rub her back so that she can't stand up for 10 minutes. Don't talk to her. You can shhhhh her, but don't interact. Then after 10 minutes (or sooner if she has ceased crying) of that leave. This time, let her cry for 15 minutes. If she is still going at it, go back in and repeat the back rubbing routine. Repeat, extending your absence for longer and longer jags. It is horrid the first couple of nights. Jack went for about 3 hours or so, but the 2nd night it was only an hour, and by 3rd night, I don't think he cry'd but a few minutes. Now, he goes to bed easily. It was the best decision for our family that we could have made.

C.,

The only advice I can offer as a Health and Wellness Advisor would be to find a way to get a good quality calcium into her about 30 minutes before bed. Calcium works to calm and mellow you out, naturally. Shaklee makes a good chewable calcium http://www.shaklee.net/ser/product/20146 If she doesn't have enough teeth yet to chew up carrots or cookies, you could crush it and mix it into some jelly, peanut butter or applesauce.

I myself come from a family of 15 children and I know it takes a special kind of person to give birth to and nurture that many children. I only had 2 myself - So my hat goes off to you.

Have you ever thought about working from home? I think you would really love it.

S. Riemann
I'm an International trainer. I teach an train people all over the world to set up and operate their own mini-office from their own home.