Our 2 yr. old son is in a toddler bed in our room, he uses a bottle, he gets up 2-3 times a night wanting a refill, he doesn't fall asleep until he watches a Barney or a Baby Einstein Video. All of our other boys, 11, 10 & 7 go to bed by 9:30, our toddler doesn't get sleepy enough to go down until 11pm-12am. What do we do, to get him to go to bed at a descent hour and without that BOTTLE?!?!?!?
2007-02-15 03:54:45 · 9 answers · asked by dougelandin 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Our 2 yr. old son is in a toddler bed in our room, he uses a bottle, he gets up 2-3 times a night wanting a refill, he doesn't fall asleep until he watches a Barney or a Baby Einstein Video. All of our other boys, 11, 10 & 7 go to bed by 9:30, we take him to bed at 9:30 and he doesn't go to sleep. We are exhausted, but he keeps getting up. He opens our door and we have to keep going out getting him, come back put him down, he gets up, does it again....finally we give in, let him watch Barney or Baby Einstein and finally he drops into bed around 11pm-1130
2007-02-15 13:18:28 · update #1
He is stalling so he doesn't have to go to bed. Toddlers don't like to go to bed even if they are tired! You shouldn't be worrying about whether he is sleepy enough at whatever time to go to bed. Just put him down at whatever time (switch to sippee cup of water) and wait there until he goes to sleep. Do NOT let him get up and don't talk to him. After 3 or 4 days he should get the routine. Oh, the video may just wind him up so I would stop that.
2007-02-19 05:03:04 · answer #1 · answered by laineyette 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, in agreeance with everyone else, the bottle should have been gone since he was a year old. Continuing to give him a bottle is going to give you a nice case of "bottle rot" teeth, then you are really going to have a mess. He is way too old for bottle, and it is terrible for his teeth. You need to start with a routine. The first few weeks won't be easy, but he will get used to it. At 7:30, give him a bath, than maybe a small snack (healthy, of course) of maybe 1/2 an apple or banana. Then have him go the bathroom, then brush his teeth. Finally, read him a story and then lights out at 8 o'clock. Be firm with him, let him know you mean business and that he is to remain in bed all night, that there will be no bottles or movies, if he cries, comfort him, but do not give in. This has been my routine since my son was a baby, and he is so used to this schedule that he knows at 7:30, it's time ot start getting ready for bed. Be patient, though, it is going to take time to break these habits. Good luvk and take care!
2007-02-15 04:23:15 · answer #2 · answered by Reagan 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, if you can move him out of your room...do it. Second, I'm agreed with the first answer, throw the bottles away. He should've been using sippy's since he was about a year old, still using bottles means he has an emoticnal attachment to them for one reason or another. As for the sleeping, you need to be strict and firm about his naps during the day, or lackthereof. If you feel he shouldn't take naps, then make sure he doesn't. That will make him fall asleep faster at night. Change his routine around in a healthy way. Instead of handing him a bottle and a DVD, hand him a sippy and a book, or replace baths with all of it. Maybe sit down and play with him to tire him out. Whatever you do, be firm!
2007-02-15 04:06:01 · answer #3 · answered by Queenelizabeth79 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to work on one thing at a time. First the bottle -just go cold turkey- throw out the bottles and give him a sippy cup -eventually he will get thirsty or hungry and will drink it. Secondly on the bedtime thing. One good piece of advice- Turn off the TV and give him a kiss and say good night. if he cries and comes out then just put him back. Keep doing it until he goes to sleep. It may take some time but soon he will sleep when he is supposed to.
2007-02-15 05:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take the bottle first. dont give in no matter what. You may think this is crazy but when i took my son's bottle my mother told me to go by the signs on the almanac calandar. If the signs are in the legs going down, that is good take it then. My son didnt even cry. If yours does just let him cry him self to sleep and get rid of all the bottles. I know it will be hard but is worked for me. Oh and when he wakes up try rocking him or holding him tight. Good luck
2007-02-21 04:28:37 · answer #5 · answered by LRCMT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you're just allowing him to get away with everything because he's so much younger than the others.
Have him throw the bottles in the trash (buy him sippy cups), stop all of his 'daytime' naps and make sure he's in bed by 8:00.
Do not allow him to take any liquid to bed with him, give him a drink right before he goes to bed and do NOT allow him to stay up so late!
2007-02-15 04:01:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone else's answers are really good so I'm not going to repeat what they said. However, if you can't put him in his own room, lock your door... this will keep him from being able to get out! He may cry at the door but will eventually give up!!
2007-02-20 15:37:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting him in a different room, preferably by himself but it can be with an older sibling. My oldest daughter did not sllep through the night until she was oiut of my room. It is too easy for them, they wake up and see you so they know they can wake you up. If they wake up and don't see you they will usually go right back to sleep.
Good Luck!!
2007-02-15 04:03:19 · answer #8 · answered by voidtillnow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU PUT HIM TO SLEEP AT A REASONABLE TIME AND IF HE CRIES LEAVE HIM ALONE AND HELL GO TO SLEEP
2007-02-15 09:10:17 · answer #9 · answered by donielle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋