2 year old daughter used paci only for naps and at night in her crib. She went to bed at 6:30pm and woke at 6:30 am, was a wonderful sleeper and went down easy. Since, taking her paci away 2 weeks ago, she takes her usual nap at daycare fine, but her nighttime sleeping has been horrible. Won’t go down, which can take 1-2 hours, and wakes up in the middle of the night which can take 1-2 hours to put her back to sleep. She has been climbing out of her crib and come screaming out of her room (never climbed the crib before). We follow the silent return to crib routine, placing her back in her crib and walk away. Recently after an hour or so of this crib climbing out routine, she has just fallen asleep on her floor. Interestingly she has never asked for her paci back, but clearly she misses it. Don’t know what to do; any advice would be much appreciated!
Shoot, I'd let her sleep on the floor. If it keeps her sleeping and you know she is safe, let her sleep so you can get some much needed sleep too.
Does she have a lovey or loveys???
If not, let her have one or some.
IF she is sleeping on the floor (and my kids went through that phase, too), just let her. It IS a phase. She will THEN get sleep that way. Its fine.
No biggie.
For me, that is what I did. My kids got sleep that way. Then one day they went back to their beds. It is NOT a permanent 'phase.'
And then sleep was never a 'battle' with my kids.
all the best,
Susan
If you're not sure about the big girl bed yet, you could always put a mattress on the floor and let her sleep there. Some kids love that!
Time to make the switch to a beg girl bed.
Yep, go out and let let her pick a new lovey to snuggle with. If she's climbing out of the crib, time to get rid of it. Time for a big girl bed! A new phase may be starting ... the only thing we can count on as parents is -- change!!
If she is climbing out I would think about getting a big girl bed for safety. As for comfort, does she have anther comfort item like a blanket or stuffed toy? Maybe introduce one.
Move her out of the crib. Shut her door or put up a gate so she can't get out. Sounds like she's comforting herself by climbing out of the crib, so maybe a transition to a new (and bigger) bed will help ease the transition. Take her with you and pick out two bedsets (comforter/sheets) and let her choose which one she wants. Then let her pick which baby dolls and stuffed animals she wants on her bed.
I am sure it is too late now, but I would have let her have her paci back as
long as it was only for sleep. I just do not understand the big push to
get rid of b ottles, pacis etc. She would not walk down the aisle with it.
If she is so very mmiserable, I would let her have it back. I am sure no one
will agree, but life is way to short to battle this.
Does she have another comfort item? Maybe try introducing one, if not.
We did this with my son 4 mos ago (he's 2.5). He had his "bink" and blanket. They always went together.
We cut binks cold-turkey out of the blue ("all done with binks, Mason!"), so he just went to the blanket - which now goes everywhere he goes. I helped that along by making a bigger deal out of it. If he asked for the bink, I'd say "no buddy, you've got your blanket", and he was OK with that. He'll even suck on it (gross) when he's really worked up.
I think its time for a toddler bed. She can get hurt climbing out of the crib. Now that she is doing it a lot, I would worry she would fall and get really hurt. You have taken the paci away now there is no turning back. Maybe a new bed would make her comfortable. I had my two kids in toddler beds by 2 years old. Does she have a favorite teddy she could go to bed with, maybe that might help.
Once they start to climb out the crib, I think you should realistically consider getting rid of the crib and moving her into a regular bed. You can buy the toddler bed sides if you are concerned she may fall out. Or even a todder bed, if size or space is an issue. Make a big deal of her having a "big girl" bed. She probably does associate being in her crib with having her paci. A new bed does not have that association. Wait to buy a cute new comforter set as a reward when she has mastered staying in bed when put to sleep. Be prepared for a little wandering at first. I know my DD at 2 went through a few days I think she was too excited to go to sleep easily. Then she settled in to a more normal bedtime routine. Good Luck!
