Any tricks to help a child learn to fall asleep by himself?

Question

My daughters are 2 and 3 yrs old. I nursed both of them and they got used to be put to bed after nursing when totaly asleep. We transition by letting them watch TV with us because we all appreciate the extra time together. Now the TV keep them awake so for a couple of months, we tried to put a good routine bath, toothbrushing and a book but they need us close to them until they fall asleep. Sometimes it takes 30 min! We let them have a sipcup filled with water and a teddy with them. We now we can let them cry for long so it's not an option and the older one can open doors... Any tricks to help us do it quickly or gradually?

I tried to remove TV time before bed but I was alone against 3 ;-) It's something we consider now. One of our problem is we arrive late and so eat late and can't play outside afterwards. Taking a walk is good for us but they have too much energy after! I would let them fall down to sleep during playtime but I'd fell first ;-)

Of course alcohol is out of the question because they wouldn't learn anything good out of it!

They have that Aquarium thing that was used in the crib but now it's more fun to them then relaxing and we're really annoyed with the sounds they like.

We give them water because milk helped the oldest one have her first cavity :-(
They have a princess nightlight with pink sparkles and I told them it would help them sleep better. It helped their mood when they awake at night but not getting to bed. They are more night owls then me!

Answer 1

after watching that nanny show i desisted it was just best to put them to bed and if they got out just keep putting them back in showing no emotion and eventually they fall asleep on there own. It only took an average of 3 days with all three kids! now they go rite to bed

Answer 2

Cut back on the suagr and caffine BEFORE their dinner time. Turn off the tv and spend family time, going for a walk or playing a board game (let them win). Go int their room and read to them and let their imaginations roam as they drift off to dream. They are running the house right now, and you are letting them. Don't get up and run whenever they cry or scream. Teach them that you are in charge, and they will just have to accept that.
I saw something on Dr. Phil that was pretty interesting. It takes about a week, and a lot of consistency and patience. The first night, you hold them close until they fall asleep. The second night you sit in a chair next to their bed until they fall asleep. The third night you sit in a chair across the room until they fall asleep. The fourth night, you sit in a chair by the door until they fall asleep. Something like that..... Go to www.drphil.com for the show transcript, and see what they talked about.

Answer 3

Don't let them watch TV at night after a certain time. This over stimulates them and they don't tend to sleep. Wear them out by taking them to the park and letting them run etc. Also, don't let them sleep more than a couple of hours at naptime and don't let them nap past about 2:30 pm. Give them a bath. Brush teeth and read a book. Give them a sip or two from sippy cups and then lay them down.
The rest of the battle you are having is a battle with 2 and 3 year olds. Don't let them win it because if you do they will go on doing this forever. When they come out of the room promptly march them back in. Don't let crying make you take them from the room. You have to win this part of the battle or you will never win this.

Answer 4

Think about what makes you fall asleep... for me it's reading. Let's face it, your eyes are already in a downward position, and it's easy to just keep going down the more relaxed you get.

Especially if you can read 1-2 stories to them to get them started with. If they're still awake after that, you can give them some picture books with a night light on.

Answer 5

The only thing you can do is make them stay in bed, crying or not. I know it sounds cruel and it will be hard, but in the end it is the only way. Right now they are the ones in charge, not you. They cry and you come running, and it can't be that way or this will spread into other areas of your life with them. They will cry and scream and tantrum probably, but in the end you just have to keep sending them back to bed, and not sitting with them. Eventually, and not as long a time as you think, they will stay there and go to sleep on their own.

Answer 6

My daughter has a teddy bear that she sleeps with. You have to sell them on another bed time buddy that can replace the two of you. Too much longer and you will not be able to get them out of this habit and they will be pre-teens before they take up issue with this. So for your sake, it is imperative that you find a substitute in the very near future.

P.S. If you have any more make them sleep with their siblings!

Answer 7

Two big tips:

1. Set up a small clock radio/CD player in their room to provide background music for them to listen to and fall asleep with; it will help hold their attention away from seeing you leave the room.

2. Resist the urge to return to their bedroom once you leave; they cry because they know it will make you return. It will take stress-filled nights of crying, but oince they learn that you will not come running when they cry, they will eventually give up and go back to sleep - tired, if anything. One of my kids cried for 2 1/2 hrs once - as long as you know they are safe and not in need of anything, don't give in!

Answer 8

ok well im only 13 but i have tons of baby cousins a brother and a new born cousin too i have to help put them to sleep somtimes if you sings to them then they fall asleep or leave the door open or somtimes dont turn out the light if he sucks a bottle then give him warm milk or if it helps choclate milk if you ever need any other help e mail me kk [e-mail]

Answer 9

take them to the store to pick out a new bed partner to take to bed with them and keep them company (teddy bear or whatever they want thats soft)
keep a night light on in thier room.
set rules that at a certian time every night they have to be in the bed.
tell them you will take them and "tuck them in" to sleep. and fix the bed covers and act like you are tucking them in good each night so it will help them sleep better.
say some prayers with them or tell them a quick nursery rhyme and cut out the light.
if they get up after this you can allow them to drink some water or go to the bathroom, but send them back to thier bedroom to go back to sleep a.s.a.p. do not allow them to keep getting up.
its going to be hard at first for them and for you but you have to be the parents here and set ground rules at a young age for them or they will never learn from you otherwise.
another trick that helps is dont give them a nap during the day every day unless they are really really moody and sleepy. this will help them get tired at night faster and help them sleep. also giving them some warm milk before bed helps them sleep. cut out all the sugar in thier diet after 5 oclock every day so it can get out of thier system by 8 or 9 so they will be in bed and be sleepy instead of hyper or jittery and nervous without you. lavender baths help too. i would also consider a lavender baby lotion to rub on them or a lavender bath oil to put in their bath. make bath time a play time too so they get all the excess energy out of them before bed time. it gives them the extra little time it needs to let the warm water relax them and take effect. they will bore themselves in the bath tub after playing a while, then they will be ready for some lotion, powder, night clothes and warm milk and bed. good luck. i hope something works for you.

Answer 10

Just stick with the bedtime routine, every night! I had the same issues with my son at 3 and it took a few weeks, but he finally did it and still does.