He fights sleep and will scream until we pick him up, and put him in our bed. This is drving me and my husband crazy! Any suggestions on how to make it stop?
2007-03-20 05:37:29 · 12 answers · asked by vaye 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Ok, #1: anyone who says stop the daytime naps is nuts!!!! Babies need to nap during the day. If you eliminate naps this will in the end just cause baby to be more cranky and tired and probably wake up even more at night!
Routine is crucial. Naps everyday at the same time, bedtime routines and all that stuff you have already read and heard from everyone else. Honestly, the answer is the one you don't want to hear. Let him cry! Babies at this age are more than smart enough to know cause and effect. "If I cry - they will come."
After having 3 sons of my I own, ages 12, 8 and 19 months I can tell you that what seems like it won't ever end - will!!!! If you can let him cry and try going to his room to soothe him. Don't take him to your bed. Every night gets easier and after 3 or 5 you should be on your way to a whole night's sleep! Just don't give in - do the difficult work now to avoid a really big problem in the future!
2007-03-20 05:55:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
oh my God stop the bed thing right now thats first of all. Trust me that will be your downfall!
Don't let him nap past 2 hours at a time. Dont let him wake up later than 4 (say if his bed time is 8) and make sure he has a settled stomach dont let him snack or eat past 6 (again, if his bed time is 8) are you sure its not teeth or gas thats keeping him up? Just try to wear him out before bed, and do not let him sleep with you! When he cries, go in there and cover him up (try not to even pick him up until you get him really out of this habit) and lay him down putting a hand on his back or tummy to kinda hold him down (i know sounds mean, right, but he after like 2 seconds he will quit fighting you) and say shh shh and see if that helps. stay with him until he falls asleep. after a couple of nights, leave before he falls asleep, then try to not answer every cry and see if he doesnt need your presence at all to fall back asleep. trust me, this gives you the best shot! and then its a habit, and then its his routine. he will be happier, and so wil you!
2007-03-20 05:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think about doing the Dr Ferber method (letting him cry) I know some people dont agree and will give me "thumbs down" but a lot will agree and its recomended by lost of pediatricians. Basically, a good bedtime routine... lay him down before he is over tired and cranky, settle him in and walk away, wait 5 min - come in and comfort him for about 1 min or less, next time wait 10 min, then 15 etc. Up to 2 hours is the method but it hopefully wont take that long. It may take several nights but it works! a nine month old needs about 13- 15 hrs of sleep in a 24 hr period. Good luck
2007-03-20 06:23:22 · answer #3 · answered by jon jon's girl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh man, have I been there! My daughter is 19 months and just NOW starting to sleep through the night. My advice, because this is what we FINALLY did. Let him cry himself back to sleep. That will take a long time and it will be a test of your patience. But coming from someone who has done it for a long time now, trust me. Do that for several nights. You won't get alot of sleep probably, but it will be worth it once he breaks the cycle and sees that you aren't going to give in. Lie very still and DON'T talk to him (if he sleeps in yalls room) and PLEASE don't put him into bed with you. We finally got ours OUT of our bed. GOOD LUCK! I know how frustrating it is!
2007-03-20 05:44:29 · answer #4 · answered by ainsley0805 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, he is used to you picking him up and taking him to bed. Now you have to break him of that habit. Put some toys and books in the crib with him. Next time he wakes up, maybe he will play with them until he falls asleep. If not, go in there, don't talk to him and lay him back down and walk out. He will get up and cry again. Repeat these steps with no communication with him at all. It will take several times and several nights of this, but he will eventually stop doing this and keep himself occuppied with his stuff.
2007-03-20 05:45:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sound like the child is hooked on sleeping in your bed. You can try giving him a warm bath before bed something warm to drink read him a story. Let him know he is a big boy who can sleep in his own bed when he learn to start being by himselp try giving him a reward for the good jos he is doing.
2007-03-20 05:48:16 · answer #6 · answered by sam m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is screaming until you pick him up and put him in your bed because this is what works for him. By putting him in bed with you each time, you are TRAINING him that his middle of the night screams are an effective way for him to get his way.
2007-03-20 05:41:51 · answer #7 · answered by anahahamama 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hes going through seperation anxiety. They want to be close to you durring that time, so sleeping with you is the best answer.
It should pass, if you want him back out of your bed, just keep trying... gently. Dont make him cry for extended periods of time, just do what you normally do and if he doesnt take to it well, bring him to bed!
There are many benefits to co-sleeping long-term though. Its the happiest feeling to wake in the middle of the night with your two loves surrounding you. And i know my son is gaining alot from it... his favorite place is our bed! Any chance he gets, he will run into our bedroom and start beating on the bed (thats his excitment thing).
They need momma ALOT durring the first few years... sleeping with them can make them happy, secure, independant little people when they finally do grow up.
2007-03-20 05:47:47 · answer #8 · answered by Mommy to David 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
We finally got our daughter to sleep in her own bed. (She's four!) What did it was a set routine including a warm relaxing bath. Don't let him play too much in the tub or he'll wind himself up. Some cool chamomile tea helps too.
2007-03-20 05:49:57 · answer #9 · answered by Tapioca 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah dont let him nap during the day. Feed him cereal in his milk . Get some sleepy time tea to relax him. And stop spoiling him that why he keeps doing it . If you dont fix it now he will always want to sleep with you do you want that. If he is full, not wet, or hurt, let him scream it wont kill him undo the mistake you started been there learned the hard way
2007-03-20 05:45:32 · answer #10 · answered by keena 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋