Sleeping Issues - Bakersfield,CA

We just went through this with my son, who is 21 monthes old. He was waking 2x per night and wanting milk. Finally,
I slept in the other room with a sound machine for 5 days. My husband heard his cries, but slept through them. My son got mad a few times. But now, when he wakes, he just fusses a few minutes and then goes back to sleep. Everyone is so much happier in the house with the extra sleep. It is tough to let them cry, but in the long run it is best for them to learn how to self soothe.

PLEASE DO NOT LET HIM CRY IT OUT! He simply needs to learn that he can fall asleep on his own~and abandoning him will a) confuse him...what did he suddenly do so wrong to deserve this? and b) create "learned helplessness" (think orphanages in Eastern Europe and bonding issues later...per my Dr. but I know not all pediatricians agree with mine) and c) break your mama heart. Think about this~if crying it out is so right, why does it feel so incredibly wrong? Trust your intuition, whatever that is.

I have used The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley with both of my kiddos and it works great. No, it doesn't happen in a day or two, but over several weeks. And it's loving and gentle.

He is "extremely loving and attached" because you have been very loving to him and considerate of his needs to feel close and secure. Keep it up while you read the quick book and learn how to gently help him grow.

Good luck!

My now 20 month old had major sleep issues until 2 months ago. Would have to nurse to sleep, woke up several times a night, not able to sleep on his own, etc. I NEVER thought I'd be able to let him cry it out, but out of desperation (and on recommendation from a friend with similar parenting approach who did it) I tried "The Sleepeasy Solution" and within 3 nights, he was sleeping on his own and through the night! It's a more gentle version of "cry it out". It was quick and easy to read. Has it organized by age so you only have to read the sections that apply to you (for up to 5 years old btw). It was tough the first 2 nights, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. I was worried about the "long term damage" of letting him cry, but as my mom pointed out, what's the long term damage of not giving him the chance to learn to sooth himself to sleep? I recommend it to every parent who complains of sleep deprivation! It changed my life...can't even tell you how good a full nights sleep feels! Good luck!

Hi mama! I have a 9 1/2 month old who has sleep issues and I am reading two great books. One is The Sleep Book by Dr. Sears. Awesome info and it has a big section on toddlers. The other book is the No Cry Sleep Solution. Also has a great section on older children. You don't have to read the books cover to cover which is nice. There are a lot of gentle yet effective methods in both books. Your son is attached which is a wonderful thing. Because he is so used to the closeness, you will not have success with the cry it out method. It will make him fearful of sleep. Hang in there & do get at least one of the books. They really will help but I think the Sleep Book might be best for you since it speaks to the attached child. Good luck!

Oh my gosh! You need to let him cry this out now before it is too late. I learned this the hard way and had our son sleeping with us because I was too concerned with the same issues. It will be better for him to cry it out and will make him feel more confident and secure in the long term to be able to soothe himself. You can talk to him about soothing methods that he can think about when he gets upset at bedtime like thinking of the best thing that happened that day, looking forward to what he is going to do tomorrow or you could even get a super cool nightlight that flickers off the walls and swirls stars or his favorites animals to keep him occupied. Blankies and stuffed animals could also do the trick.

Let him cry it out.... I have a 7 yr old and she still sleeps with us . I know it will be hard, but worth it. It gets so much harder when they are older.

Does your son have a lovey? My daughter is 2 1/2 and I tell her that if she wakes up bunny (her lovey) will help her fall back to sleep. She gets the idea and will sleep all night with the reminder before bed.
Best of luck,
C.

My son slept with us for nearly a year, but when I got pregnant with my second, we had to figure out something else to do with him(Doesn't feel good to have baby feet hitting you on the outside, as well as the inside.). So we started putting him in his own bed. He woke up constantly all night, and I had to stand there and coo at him to get him to sleep again. But then we found the Ocean Wonders Soothe & Glow Seahorse by Fisher-Price. We had tried the lullaby glow-worm but the music only lasted about 30 seconds before shutting itself off. We kept having to re-push the button. The sea horse lasts five minutes before the auto shut-off, and he loves it. He's around 18 months now, and he falls asleep just fine. If he does wakeup, and stand up in the crib, we just lay him down again, and turn the sea horse on again, and then leave the room. We also give him a non-leak sippy cup of water every night, so he has something to nurse on a bit if he wants.