Throwing Everything Out of the Crib??

Melissa,

I agree with the PP, let him deal with it. By going in and "saving" him, he's training you, instead of the other way around. Maybe start limiting WHAT goes in the crib at bedtime to start. Then keep telling him his "blankie" stays in. He is obviously too young to reply, but not to start understanding. If he throws it out at naptime or early bedtime, just say "uh oh" and leave it there. He's at the phase where he's starting to figure out that he has some control of his environment, but not necessarily the foresight to see that once it's out, it's gone. He needs to learn this now or you will be "go-foring" everything that drops out of his crib, highchair, stroller, etc. Just make sure that when this happens, you keep saying "uh oh" and leave it there. He'll get the point.

BTW - my pediatrician once reminded me that no child has ever died from screaming when they are mad. As long as he is in a safe place (like his crib), then let him scream it out. Sounds harsh. But he needs to learn now.

I have a 20 mos. old that just began doing the same thing. She doesn't cry though once she throws them out. If I was you, I would actually let him cry it out. It sounds like he has made a game of you coming in to pick up the items & it sounds like it will only continue if you keeep picking them up. You may want to try some new items in his bed. He may just be getting bored with the things in his crib. As far as being his comfort items, he will find another way to get himself to sleep. My daughter was never one that liked a pacifier, she will just suck her thumb and then fall asleep. Hope this helps & good luck!

I agree, let him throw them out and scream. He keeps doing it because you keep getting up. You would have to pick nights where you don't need a lot of sleep because he will scream endlessly but break the habit now.

Yet a third vote coming your way!

Let him throw it out. You can have him learn one of two things - when he throws it and screams, mommy will come running or when he throws it and screams, the blanket is gone for the night. It may take a night or two but once he realizes that no one is coming in to play the game with him, he'll stop because he'd rather have the blanket than no response from mom.

Good luck - we went through this too and it was a super short phase that passed quickly.