How Do I Get My 19 Month Old Out of My Bed?!

I guess I'm of a different opinion than the last two moms. Our baby has slept in her own bassinet or crib since she came home. She was moved to her own room around 4 weeks. She's never known anything but having her own bed/room. I think it's important for kids to understand that mom and dad have their room/space and the kid has his/her space. But I guess all that's not helping w/ your issue... :) I would suggest trying to let him cry it out starting on a weekend. If you can, take a few days off on either end of the weekend so you can nap during the day when he does. Another option would be to try sleeping in his room (on the floor or in a chair). That way he knows you're there, you can reassure him he's ok, but he gets used to being in his own bed. I think the biggest think that will effect your situation is getting him to eat more solids. If he's not waking for a bottle, you don't have a problem. So, slowly starting cutting back the amt. you put in the bottle. Offer solids first and if he acts hungry after the solids and the bottle then offer more solids. Easier said then done, I'm sure. :) Good luck!

Unless there is a medical reason, don't fight him on the issue. He needs you. Try harder to get him to eat solids... he will sleep more soundly and therefore wake less at night.

Try many different foods. My 14 mo old is breastfed and is not "into" anything else, really. He's starting to like mac&cheese, rice w/ plain yogurt, pizza bread, pancakes, sometimes eggs....

Also, he eats better if his dad feeds him. Try to let someone else feed your son, perhaps it will work.

My sister in law still puts cerelac in her 18 mo daughter's sippy cups. She gets it at the middle-eastern market.

And as for "breaking him" of sleeping with you... it does get EASIER. He's just needing you right now. Eventually, he'll warm to the idea of things like "big boy bed", special bedding sets, etc.

Just enjoy the snuggle time now... You won't see that when he's 16!! LOL

good luck

Cosleeping isn't a bad habit. If it makes your life easier and provides you with more bonding time when your child is young then go for it. Read up on cosleeping at askdrsears.com. You'll see that it holds benefits for both the parents and child. Don't listen to the outdated advice that he'll never leave your bed, because he will want his own bed as he gets older. Do what works best for your family and don't cause yourself un due stress over this.

Hi L.,
I don't think this is a horrible habit. If you work (I do too), maybe he just needs a little extra comfort and contact sometimes at night. My son does too - most of the time he sleeps through the night, but when he does wake up he also wants milk, and he sometimes wants to come to bed with my husband and me. There's nothing wrong with having your child snuggle with you at night if you and your husband don't mind. America is one of the only cultures that doesn't really endorse letting your kids sleep with you. It's completely natural for a small child to want the comfort of sleeping next to mommy and daddy. I have a job that requires sleep too, and I've found that it's often just easier to bring him in with us than to fight him back to sleep by himself. I know he won't be little forever, so it doesn't bother me. Sometimes I prefer it - he was a little wound up from Christmas and had been ending up in bed with us around 3 a.m. for almost a week, but now he's back to his normal sleeping and I find that I miss having him there cuddling with me!

Also, I am definitely not a "cry it out" person, and my son is a good sleeper at night (he is 21 months). It took a while, but I'm glad I did things my way instead of listening to what everyone tells you -- the same people who say "you hold him/pick him up too much. Anyway, he has no dependence issues and knows perfectly well how to go to sleep on his own.

I'm sorry this is such a long response, I just wanted to explain that my son is normal, outgoing and fun EVEN THOUGH he sometimes sleeps with us, drinks a ton of milk and is not the best eater! They are only little for a short time, everything is going to work out just fine. I'm sure you are a great mom and you'll raise a very happy and well loved little boy.

It really can be hard to balance motherhood with a demanding career. The little time you have with him is precious, not time he should spend screaming. Perhaps you could lay down with him until he's asleep, then move him to his crib, or put the crib or just the mattress next to your bed so he can be near you at night.

There are a lot of people who think kids should learn to sleep alone, so the parents have all night to snuggle in their sleep, but if you think about it, aren't adults supposed to be more emotionally mature than children? Why is it adults need someone to sleep next to, but children should have to be all alone?

I work and breastfeed so to me, sleeping with children allows time together, plus it gives the little one time to nurse. My son is 5 and he was in his own bed for a while, then back to my bed after each new baby was born, then back to his own bed again. My 3 y/o girl did the same, now she sleeps on a little matress next to my bed and I just have the baby in my bed. Soon enough, she'll be ready to share a big bed with her sister and I'll miss the night time snuggles.