My 18 Month Old Wont Sleep in His Crib!

I agree with Ann to cut him some slack if he is sick or has a valid reason for needing some extra nurturing/comfort. But if it's just him testing you then as hard as it may be you have to let him cry it out. I don't believe there is any easy way to do it. I'm a mom of three and have found that it usually only takes 2-3 nights and they realize that you are not going to let them sleep with you no matter how hard they cry. I'm a big softy so understand this is no easy task for the parents. Have daddy close by to help and take turns putting him back in his crib. Just keep reminding yourself that it's best for him and the whole family if he sleep in his crib. A well rested mommy is a happy mommy:). Good luck!!

He could be ready for a toddler bed. Either way, now that you have started letting him cry you into getting his way, the transition back to his own room may be a rocky one. Once you decide he needs to start sleeping in his own bed again, you can not let him guilt you into letting in and letting him sleep with you. He will learn if he just pitches a big enough fit, for long enough, he will always get his way.

That is the age when my daughter started not sleeping day or night--except for 5 hours at night. She did this for three weeks, then she slept for 20 a day for a week (catching up). She did this for three times, screaming when she didn't sleep and testing my patience to the extreme (and I am a patient woman). Finally I went to the doctor. We tried knock out drops for her, and brandy for me--but the pattern continued.

Finally we eliminated all naps, upped the exercise level with swim lessons, and put her in a big girl bed and told her that if she moved she would fall out. I missed her naps more than you can imagine:( But she settled down to sleeping a regular pattern without the naps and stayed in her bed.

It may work for you.

I'd try a new big boy bed with sheets with his favorite character. Maybe even start off having it in your room if he wants to be near you.

E.

http://www.babysignswithelizabeth.blogspot.com

Anything else going on with him? My boys went thru quite a few phases that messed with their sleep....teething, milestones, post-illness/travel...
I usually went with what they needed as long as they really seemed to be needing it and it wasn't causing a big issue for me, and when it seemed to move more into the habit realm then we'd go back to old ways--sometimes that meant dad soothing at times when I normally would have, or letting him cry for a few minutes at a time (I am so not a fan of cry it out methods, but my younger son really gave us no choice) as long as he didn't sound hysterical.
We're in a new phase ourselves...25 month old son always nursed and then leaned for the crib, I'd ask him to cuddle first but he'd say no. Now he tells me to walk him around and sing, and no amount of it is enough! So i've been cutting back how many songs I sing and warning him "time to lay down after this song." Sometimes I have to sit by the crib for a few minutes until he chills out.
Maybe sit or lay down in the room for a few nights, if that works then you can work your way out of the room. Or a night light can help (or getting rid of it).
For my guys, there was usually improvement on the 3rd night of trying something new--if it was going to work at all.
That's kind of a hard age, old enough to really complain but not old enough to really reason with!
***edited to add: it also depends how you feel about having him in your bed. I, personally, am a big fan of co-sleeping. It's not a right or wrong thing, just how it works for you. My first liked it, my 2nd didn't--that's the only reason he's been in a crib.

Good luck

i have to agree with everyone else...sounds like it is time to get a different bed or take the rail off.

Your little one may be feeling crowded in his crib,and/or in a phase. My youngest was pulled out of her crib when she was a little younger than yours. When we put her in a twin bed( with a rail of cours) she slept better and much happier. She never liked her crib for some reason. Can you take the outside rail off the crib to convert to more of a toddler bed? This will help them not feel so inclosed (it worked for us till e got her a bed). I think it must be something about this age, I hear alot of them doing this aroung 18 months.