Sleeping Problems - Memphis,TN

This is about the time that kids may start having nightmares. You might want to leave the hall light on or use a nightlight in her room. Is she still in her crib? Good luck.

when she screams and cries, wait a few minutes, then go in and comfort her, make sure she is in her bed, and leave. if she cries again, wait a little longer and then go in and do the same thing until she stops crying and goes to sleep. it might take a while, but eventually she will learn to sleep in her bed and to go to sleep on her own.

I dont know what to say other than let her cry neither one of my kids did that

Is she still in a crib? If so, my son did this about the same age. After trying MANY other ideas, we decided to just go ahead and put him in a toddler bed. The first night he slept in it, was the first night in a LONG time that he didn't scream while being put down to sleep. He was excited to be sleeping a big boy bed. I was worried that it was too soon, but it wasn't. He had the bed rails on, and he has never (he's 2 now) gotten out of bed during the night. This helped us, hope it helps you!

I just wanted you to know that I have a 15month old girl and am having the same problem at this time-maybe it is the age. the "cry out method" may work for some, but I have come to realize that there is no magic formula for ANYTHING TO DO WITH CHILDREN!!! I hate it because I am so cut and dry and nothing about raising children is cut and dry. I sat with my daughter in her room for an hour and a half before she went to sleep last night and about lost my mind. I just wanted you to know that i feel your pain, I hope that they just magically start sleeping well at some point--I am not a big fan of Ferber but lean more towards Sears, he suggested what most have said, get further and further away until you are at the door... Good luck
M.

Your doing the right thing sitting in with her until she falls asleep if that calms her. As she gets used to it go farther and farther away and she will learn to calm herself. Obviously some children are more stubborn than others but this will definitely work with time. My kids wouldn't be calm if I was in the room so I stood outside and listened for them. If they cried too much or hard i would go in comfort them and then leave again saying its night night time. Now I'm pleased to say that all mine go to sleep on their own, even my 13 month old. I put them in their beds give kissies hugs etc then as I leave make a kissie noise just before I close the door as if blowing a kiss (funny what works) They make it back and go to sleep. With patience it will all work out and you will find that you have more down time. =) Good luck.

Erin

Hi A.,

Don't feel bad, I have a 5 year old and she sleeps with us. It is all my fault that she does. She is my only child and I have lost 10 others so she is very precious to me. So I let her sleep with us. I don't have the heart to put her in her own bed. However, if your little one crys when you try to get her to sleep in her bed, what I do when I can get her to sleep is to let her fall asleep in my arms or on the couch. I then carry her to her own bed. Unfortunately we have moved several times over the past few years for jobs and it is difficult for her to adjust so since she started school and I am very adamant about her being in bed by 8:00 pm, I just lay down with her in my bed to get her to sleep. On the weekends I get her to fall asleep in my arms or on the couch and I get a little break then. I also get camomille pills from the health food store. They help with teething and helps relax the child so that makes my daughter fall asleep a little easier too. I know it is hard to let her cry, and it may eventually work for you, who knows. Good luck.

I also have a 17 month old and when I put her to bed I play a baby classical CD for her and she loves it. It is relaxing and she is sleep within 10 minutes. I hope that this helps.

She could be starting to go through some seperation anxity, that commanly starts up at about 18 months on average. we are just now starting it a little bit with my son who will be 2 in about 2 weeks so hes starting late and hes doing the same thing especially if he dosnt get enough mommy time during the day he also likes to read a book before bed which is good mommy time for him also if he is really tired and goes strait to sleep and dosnt get much cuddling before bed he will wake up some time in the night and NEED some cuddle time then goes back to sleep like a champ.

you sitting with her is just fine, it maybe just something she needs to reasure her that you are still there .

HTH,
B.

When my daughter was 19 months old I went ahead and put a mattress on the floor to get her out of the crib. So to get her to go to sleep and stay in her bed I would walk her to her bed, do our good night ritual and leave the room. Every time she would come out I would walk her back, no matter if she screamed or not. I wouldn't say anything except night,night. The first night it took 45 mins for her to stay in her bed and go to sleep. The second night took 5 mins and the third night it took 2 times. And now she is a 3 year old who comes up to me and says "mommy, I'm tired I'm going to bed now" and goes gets in bed. It is wonderful. I think I got this technique from the TV show The Nanny. She screamed and had a fit but I just ignored it and it stopped. Oh and also after she went to sleep I would put a gate up at the door to keep her in her room so she wouldn't wander thru the house.

I would say it will get better and easy but i would be lying. My daughter is almost 5 and i always find her in my bed in the middle of the night or go in her room and she be watching cartoons or she haves a fit when i say its bedtime. But i realized that i had to say your a big girl and big girls sleep in there own room. A hot bath does the trick now.

My mom taught me this one. You start by putting her in the crib and standing near it, you may touch her...just get her to sleep without picking her up. Every night you get a little further away. I would lie on the floor with my own pillow and blanket, and every night I would move bout 6 inches closer to the door than the night before. About a week later, I was outside in the hallway (still in sight)and the night after that I put him down and walked out. It worked for my mom, and it worked for me too! Good luck!!!! Listen, I know it rips your heart out, but Dr.s say they can cry up to 4 hours! This is so much easier than that torture.

I would have said the same thing as Nicole P.... good luck... it will be bad for a couple of nights, but it is SO worth it for a peaceful night.