My 20 month old just got a Dorah the Explorer toddler bed and when we picked it out she LOVED it. That night she slept very well, which was a suprise to me, because I expected her to miss her crib, which was passed down to her 2 month old sis.
Well for the past few nights she's been either getting out of bed or screaming her head off. I tried putting gaurd rails on her bed so she couldn't climb out, but for some, odd reason she got out! I need advice. I've tried to keep on putting her in bed and do it whenever she gets out until she is tired, but it's hard. Expecially when my 2 month old needs a chaning. She'll get out of bed and then run to me and try to get in her sister's crib! Yesterday I came home and my soon-to-be-MIL was watching my kids and she was cradling my sleeping 2 month old. I went upstairs to find my daughter in the crib! I tried to explain to her she's not a baby she's a big girl and she said "Me no wanna be big-girl. Me wanna be baby! WAHH! WAHH!" HELP PLEASE!
2007-09-12 09:07:25 · 9 answers · asked by Jasmine 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
It wasn't taken from her to hurt her! She would always climb out of her crib there for hinting it was time for a big girl bed. Plus she would have gotten one in December, because I'm moving in with my fiance and the room she'll be in can't fit a crib,
2007-09-12 11:21:40 · update #1
Aahh...its all that talk of being a big girl....she feels she's been replaced by the new baby and is worried that it will affect your love for her. Try telling her that she is "first baby" which means she gets an extra special bed now....dont call her a big girl....after all she's not! Sh'es not even two yet!
2007-09-12 09:19:28 · answer #1 · answered by Daisyhill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your 20 mo old feels a little left out. That is totally normal for kids to feel that way when another child is in the house. Don't feel discouraged! There are ways to make your oldest feel right at home with the baby.
I would ask her to help out with the baby by getting diapers for you, or throwing the dirty ones away. I guarantee she'll be happy to help at first, and it'll get to the point where she groans when you want help :) Getting the new older siblings involved is key.
Also, consider creating a book for her, all about her! Let the book explain what is going on in the house right now. i.e. Mommy had a big belly, baby sister came, and baby sister can't do anything! But Big Sister can do all the great things that 20 mo olds get to do.
I did these same things with my son, and it helped immensely! It is also important to remember that her behavior is natural, and she will feel this way no matter what.
I wish you the best of luck! I know everything will turn out great for you and your kids :)
2007-09-17 14:39:47 · answer #2 · answered by Crystal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she's jealous of the new baby and the fact that the new baby gets her old bed. Maybe you shouldn't use "big girl" yet. At 20 months she still is very much a baby with baby like tendencies and attitudes. She may not have been ready to leave her crib yet, but out of neccesity she had to. Try to encourage her to sleep there and make it fun (but not too stimulating, she does need to sleep!) I like the idea of telling her she's the first baby and she's special. Maybe you could do a reward chart too. Put a sticker on it everytime she stays in bed for the whole night. As a reward when it's full she gets to spend one on one time with you or both of you doing the activity of her choosing. Above all, once you've made the decision to put her in the bed, don't let her in the crib, whether to sleep in or play in. Good Luck!!!
2007-09-12 09:45:37 · answer #3 · answered by Mommy to Princesses 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is just a transition. Try showing her that her bed is really cool. Make a tent in it, set up all the stuffed animals etc. Show her how it is different from a crib and that it is a fun part of being a big girl.
2007-09-19 18:23:16 · answer #4 · answered by Smarks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bet if you let the baby sleep in the big girl bed that toddler is going to get jealous and want, again, to sleep in the big girl bed.
TX Mom
Maybe while baby's sleeping, you can play the baby game. Rock her in the rocker, sing lullabies, let her chew on a binky, and feed her baby food. Maybe she'll like it, maybe she won't. Either way, she'll have an outlet for her "baby feelings."
2007-09-18 03:41:57 · answer #5 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like there is some jealousy going on...she needs time alone with you...without the baby. She is probably feeling the pressure of not being your baby anymore, now all of a sudden her bed has been taken away and given to her sister. You need to re-inforce the big girl routine.
2007-09-12 11:14:39 · answer #6 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she's jellious of the new baby. try putting the crib in your room so she can't climb in it, and put her in her bed. it's gonna be verry tirering but when she gets up put her in her bed again, if she lays there screeming ignore her and let her do it (I know that sounds bad but doctors will tell you it's good) after a while she will get tired and fall asleep in her own bed. then you can move the baby back with her.
2007-09-20 04:51:56 · answer #7 · answered by lilbluidevil 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like she is jelous of the new baby, and she wants your attention, hence the me no big girl me baby routine......try making her want to sleep in her big girl bed with a new toy new pillows....she will get over it eventually but just make sure that she stays in her bed at night do not allow her to get into the crib....good luck
2007-09-12 12:14:13 · answer #8 · answered by jscangel18 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've just submitted a similar question, I hope I also get some answers and not just - "persevere" as I know this is hard and worse for you with a new baby also. Good Luck
2007-09-12 09:19:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋