How to Get My Daugher Back onto a Decent Schedule!

#1. Read Dr. Marc Weissbluth's "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". Not only does it have techniques and tips for sleep, it will also explain why kids sleep when they do, why they need to be sleeping when they ought to be, etc. and is based on over 30 years of infant/child sleep research.

#2. You must understand that you are planning on drastically changing her routine, and this means that you are going to deal with a ton of resistance, crying, screaming, etc. You will need to go slowly and gradually. Establish both nap and bedtime routines that are consistent.

Good luck.

I feel your pain, my MIL ruined my triplets' sleep schedule from the first day she came to visit (and she stayed with us for two months). It took me FOREVER to get them on a routine and even now we still have some issues. I don't believe in the Cry It Out method - I can't afford to since one baby will and can wake up the other two.

I would suggest to try getting up earlier a little more each day until you're up at a more reasonable time - like around 8am? That way by 7 or 8 that evening she should be plenty tired and want to go to sleep.

Also, does she nap during the day? Mine are down to one nap a day and I never let it go for more than two hours and never ever past 3pm. If I do, I can never get them to bed by 8pm. If she's taking two naps, you might want to try and transition to one nap. If she rests too much during the day, she won't want to go to bed early.

As for sleeping in her own bed that's an added challenge but it can be done. If you're going to change her sleep pattern, then you need to get her into her own bed since it's not safe for her to sleep in your bed alone.

One trick I used and contine to use is the rocker chairs we bought our trio. Once they outgrew the papasan chairs, I needed something to put them in for some "down time" so I found these Newborn to Todder Rocker Chairs at BRU. In the evening, we have our milk and in the chair they go. As soon they drift off to sleep (if they won't go right to their crib or fuss), I gently pick them up and transfer them to their crib.

Another thing after 6pm in our house it's "quiet" time, the lights are softer and we start our routine for bed - the brushing the teeth, the pj's, diaper & milk, story time, things to help them settle down. You don't have to start that early with one, I do because there is three.

Goodluck!

Wow! Where do I start without sounding like I'm scolding you both. Get that hild out of your bed! Have you never seen"Nanny 911"? It's the worse thing you can do for a child as far as making them dependant on you for security. Is the child walking? Make sure you exhust her with playtime so she's tired enough during the day for a nap...not with you! She needs her own space as the other children have.(if it's in a dining area or walkthru closet)..something she can call hers. You have to change your schedule to fit hers..you wanted to raise kids, now raise them. No dragging them around till midnight. My GOD. I'm sure the child is a wreck also. You have a lot of changing to do yourself honey. It won't be easy but necessary.
Good luck,
J.
Elk grove vlg., Il

i think letting her sleep w/ you is fine! people have been cosleeping for centuries b/c of situations just like yours. she'll want to sleep in her own bed eventually.
one book i liked was healthy sleep habits, happy child by dr. weisbluth. while i don't like the 'cry it out' option (which i used w/ DS and regretted), it does have some very good information on how most babies sleep habits work, innately. It offers help on how to get to a sleeping routine after getting so off track.
Hope this helps.

I feel your sleeping pains. My 14 month old is a terrible sleeper and i try really hard to keep a schedule. Wish i had some advice! She shares a room with her 6 year old brother, and most days he can sleep through her noise, but it's hard because i don't want him to be sleep deprived at school. If something works for you, let me know! :)

Hi A.,

I got my dd trained since infancy but this is what I did.

I started napping her bed. She cried, I would go in and reassure her a few times then stop.
Your is older, she may fight you more but I think at the same time she will understand more, so it could be shorter lived once she sees you're consistant.

Once she starts learning to self sooth in her own crib, you can try it at night.
I am doing with now with my 6 month old son. I go in, reassure him (lay him daown awake) and eventually stop going in. Last night he slept 830 to 10:30, woke up crying, did the going in every 20 to 15 mnts for an hour!! Then he went to sleep until 6am.

Well worth the pain, and I hate the CIO method but for my kids, I haven't been able to do it and for them not to cry.
I have to get my rest, I'm a zombie so he'll be FINE....
A.

My daughter is much the same only slightly worse. She is 2 1/2 and has NEVER slept like a "normal" person should. Typically I can get her to bed by 3am but any earlier than that, she will wake up two hours later (while I'm sleeping) turn on the tv, put a movie in and ask for me to go get her something to eat. You can imagine I'm like you want what? Huh? We want to try to start for baby number two but I'm like I can't have TWO of them on this schedule! And she also sleeps in our bed and my husband also gets up at 3:30 for work. The only advice I can give is slowly put her to bed earlier and earlier. She won't know the difference between going to bed at 11 vs going to bed at 10:45. Do that for a few days and then take off another 15 minutes. Unfortunately, this won't work with mine. She seems to KNOW when it's NOT time to sleep. Just wanted to let you know, I'm right there with you on this one!.
J.