Separation Anxiety - Tampa,FL

Honestly, I let my babies sleep in my bed. It started when they were nursing, and while I had started transitioning them to their own bed around a year (and they had a crib before then, for when we wanted the bed to ourselves for any reason), I was still more than willing to let them sleep with us at least part of the night until they were 2. Once asleep, I could move them to their own bed/crib if I wanted (this was the first part of the transition anyway). So it wasn't much of an issue.

They grow out of it eventually. My youngest is 7, and always goes to his own bed on his own, with just a tucking in and kisses, and has been doing this for a couple of years at least. He comes in at night once in a while, but usually just needs a hug and I can send him back to his own bed. Kids do grow out of wanting to sleep with mom. :)

I think the best thing you can do is to have a solid bedtime routine. Bath, snack, brush teeth, book, prayers, cuddle, bed. Repeat as necessary! Tell him you will be back in 10-15 minutes to check on him. Play some soft music in his room at night.

I've seen some who say CIO is to just leave them to cry, but I don't like that - check out Ferber. He goes into great detail with routines and sleep cycle explanations, as well as the "Ferber Method" - which is NOT just leaving them to cry. It worked wonderfully with both of our kids. (If only he would write on for picky eaters, too!) If you're uncomfortable with the idea, just check out from the library. The chapter on sleep cycles is worth reading all by itself!

I agree with a solid bedtime routine. I am personally a fan of CIO. I know it's awful to deal with, but I think it works as long as it's executed correctly and of course you factor in for times that they are actually sick, etc. Some people always like to bring that up...CIO does not advocate leaving a sick child to cry on their own! Anyway...it's a hard age b/c they are finally figuring everything out and although it's wonderful, it can cause issues like this. Hang in there. If you stay consistent it will get better. I don't like to cosleep and won't do it. If that's an option for you, consider it, but it is not an option in my house.

I could never let my daughter cry it out. Just couldnt do it. She had a bassinet (sp) in my room. When she was older and got her big kid bed we made a big deal about it and started a routine of brushing teeth, story time, movie time or music. If she got up and came into my bed no big deal i left it alone. As long as she started in her bed.

Don't encourage a bad habit. He can learn to self regulate and fall abck asleep without mommy doing the work!