Sleep Issues - Finleyville, PA

Hi H.,

Sleep issues can be touchy. Now that she is getting older, maybe your daughter doesn't need a 3-hour nap anymore? By 27 months, my kids were getting spotty on taking naps. If you can cut her nap time down, she might have an easier time falling asleep at night. It may take a while to transition that, during which time she may be grumpy and tired towards the end of the day, but she will grow into it, just as she will grow into and adjust to sleeping in her 'big girl' bed. Try to establish a routine and stick to it. Consistency is key in bedtime routines. Good luck!

The sleep issues will take care of themselves in time- I had many saying the same to me at this time last year when my 2 year old was doing the same. I let him do whatever he wants in his room and when he goes to sleep, and where he goes to sleep is fine. If he was crying, I'd check a time or 2, but otherwise, it was up to him. If your husband does not like the crying, he can certainly go in there and take care. We have a rule in my house. If you think you can do a better job, do it yourself.

OK. Let your husband know, that in order for her to feel confident and happy falling asleep on her own, she must learn to go to sleep without help from you. He's only comforting himself, by having you go comfort her. It's better for her to feel secure on her own, and the transition of crying is only temporary if you're firm, and don't give in. If you do give in, it will get much worse, so don't walk away, unless you're committed.
But at ANY rate, I am NOT seeing where he is telling you that you must follow his method of not allowing the cry it out method, but yet HE does not go attend to her. If he wants her dependent on soothing for sleep, then he needs to go do the soothing. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Hi H.,
I think you could try starting to get her ready for bed earlier. She should be in bed by 8-8:30. I made the same mistake by taking my son out of the crib too early. The advice seems to be--if they're no climbing out, leave them in the crib until 3 years. I read that advice about 2 days too late! The transition was not fun. It took quite a while. We ended up gating the door to his room b/c his room is at the top of the stairs and we were worried about him falling down the stairs in the middle of the night.
Maybe earlier bedtime routine will lead to a bit shorter nap--but that's OK.
Do bath, snack, book, prayers and maybe some soft music or a white noise machine. Keep the routine as consistent as you can every night.
If your husband doesn't like to hear her cry--good luck! LOL
Maybe choose a sleep routine book that you can both read, agree to and implement.

At that age, I put my girls to bed at 8:00. If you plan on bedtime sooner, maybe she will not be so upset, and will relax and go to sleep sooner. ?? I would set the rule that she has to stay in bed. She can have a certain number of stuffed animals in bed, and you can read her a book, pray with her if that's your custom, and hug her and kiss her goodnight. Then be firm. You leave, and she stays in bed.

for naptime, tell her she has to stay in bed, but she can pick a couple (or up to 4 or 5 -- your choice) of books to read, and a stuffed animal or two. She doesn't HAVE to sleep, but she has to stay in bed for 1 hour. Assuming she falls asleep, she doesn't have to get up until she wakes up, but if she doesn't fall asleep, you don't want to leave her in quaratine for 3 hours . . .

If you can't get her to stay in bed, you can always tell her that Mommy is going to bed, too, and do it ! If you generally shut your door at night, she won't know you are reading or something, but otherwise, you'll have to fake going to sleep.

If you practice at naptime, then you can let her cry it out then, and your husband won't have to listen. There are times, however, that you have to let them fuss. Esp if she's gotten up 3 times and you discipline her to keep her in her bed. She does have to learn that when you draw a line in the sand, you mean it, and when you tell her to do something, she has to do it. It's the only way to keep her safe as she ventures into the world at large.

Merry Christmas ! And, good luck !

H., I had the same tough situation with my 1st boy. Once I understood that he "needs" to cry it out and learn to soothe himself to sleep the situation become much easier to handle. You might want to look into the Feber approach.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-ferber-method-demystified...

Get the SleepEasy Solution by Jennifer Waldburger. It's easy to read, help you and your husband and you will thank yourself when bedtimes are not such a struggle!