Need help getting my 15 month old to sleep on his own!!!?

Question

I have an otherwise wonderful 15 month old little boy who will not fall asleep on his own and wakes up several times during the night.

At about 6 months old he was falling asleep on his own and slept through the night. But since then we have moved around quite a bit. Now he is extremely attached to me and will only go to sleep (and fall back asleep during the night) when I breatfeed him (which I really want to stop -- I would love suggestions on this as well, he eats fairly well during the day so it's not for lack of nutrition, more a habit).

I have tried giving him bottles, putting him in his crib and laying beside it, anything I can think of. He cries hysterically when he's put in the crib and completely loses it if I leave the room (even shaking) so that option is out.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated - this Mommy is going out of her mind!

Answer 1

Wow, I really feel for you. I was in the same boat with my son, now 3, ( who just recently started sleeping in his toddler bed, he was never in a crib), now I have the same dilemma with my 10 month old daughter! Yikes, I think it really has to do with the breastfeeding. My boy took a binky but not her,( i am her pacifier!) so she is with my all day and all night long, cosleeping. Eventually I plan to do what I did with my boy. I put his toddler bed in our room right next to our bed and he really liked that. He was really like your little guy, getting so upset and all. I just figured, he is only little one time and the whole house needs sleep, so this worked best for us. Little by little I would move the bed further away from our bed and one day he was just in his room. He still comes in the morning and sometimes falls asleep with us but then we just carry him to his bed. I think it is so hard for little ones, we are all they know and feel safe with. I always think this too... I don't like to be by myself at nite, why would they. Not sure if I helped much, but atleast you are not alone out there. Way to go on the breastfeeding.... I am having a much more difficult time weaning my girl, it feels like she will nurse forever! Best of luck.

Answer 2

Sounds like you're doing what you can... I think it's just tough love now. He's relying on you (cuddle and boob) to fall back asleep. He needs to learn how to soothe himself. Unfortunately it means he's going to scream. Try sitting by his bed again. As long as he knows you are still there, you've just gotta let him scream. Every 5 minutes get up, lie him back down, tell him you love him, and sit back down. Every couple of nights move your chair back a foot, until you eventually are outside the room. It might take hours the first night, but eventually he'll find something that works, and each night following will be a little bit less.

Good luck to you.... I know it's really hard.

Answer 3

When we moved into our new house, I set a new routine with our 16 month old. In our old apartment I was laying with my girl in our bed till she fell asleep then putting her in her crib. When we moved I layed her crib and when she cried I layed her back down. She fought it but I would walk out for a short time then come back and she would settle down. Took her awhile to sooth herself to sleep. Just keep laying him down. Try setting a new routine like reading a night time book and saying prayers each night and then laying in bed patting back or bottom. Whisper to him its ok mommys here..or go shhh....Thats what I do. It will take some time but I was able to make the transition of getting into her bed by herself. Hope it helps!

Answer 4

Sorry, you're not going to like what I say, but after 7 babies I hope you will listen. You have to let him cry it out. Put him to bed very lovingly, with a regular short routine every night, make sure he has some white noise and a nightlight, then LEAVE THE ROOM, CLOSE THE DOOR, AND DON'T GO BACK TILL MORNING. If you need to, close your own door and put your own white noise on. YOu have got to do it. children will not break bad habits on their own. Mommy has to do it for them, and it's probably hardest on mommy. But it has to be done. It's the only way.

Answer 5

I don't know the answer but I have the same problem with a boy the same age, (except my son is bottle fed)

Help from Dad? I'm a dad in the same situation and I love rocking my son to sleep. Maybe your son just needs company...

I have two older daughters that were much different at this stage in life, they took to the crib much more readily than my son has.

Answer 6

You need to let him go the hard way. Put him off in his room on the bed and go outside the door and close the door. He would probably cry but just go back to him but don't pick him up. let him cry and then he will get the message after sometime of crying and he will stop by himself and sleep off.He needs to know that mommy needs some time alone and that's the best way to show it.

Answer 7

Man he DOES have control doesn't he and you just keep on letting him have control. Not much I can tell you here becaue "that option is out". You've given in to his every whim and until you stop he is going to continue. I can't wait to see what this kid is like when he hits his teens. Everything he asks for is going to be handed to him on a silver platter because the option of disciplining him is out....don't want him to shake or throw a tantrum.

Answer 8

since you have moved a few times his environment has changed so he is not very secure. what you need to do is put him to bed and leave the room. after about 5 minutes go back in and settle him down then leave again. if hes still doing it after 15 minutes go back in and do it again. in other words wait longer and longer before you go back in and settle him down. i bet that after a few nights of this he will learn that he needs to go to sleep when you first put him down and mommy wont be back to comfort him all the time. also when you do this put a favorite blanket or toy to bed with him to substitute your comfort.

Answer 9

It is tough..but if all else fails and your at your wits ends..stick a cd in..Pongo and Perdito,by Disney I think,worked for my daughter!!