Parents.com
| |  | |
Sleep Makeovers for Toddlers
Bedtime problems can crop up during your child's second year for many reasons, including developmental changes, teething, separation anxiety, and fear of the dark. Knowing how to respond can keep your nightmares to a minimum.
Print- I Like This! (0)
Comments ( 6 )
Your 18-month-old refuses to fall asleep alone.
What's going on: Separation anxiety is normal at this age. Your toddler simply doesn't have enough life experience to know for sure that you'll be back in the morning.
Another problem is her sleep association: She's gotten used to being soothed by a human blanky and has come to rely on you.
What to do: Start each evening with snuggling. Then remove yourself from the nursery a little at a time (pull your chair a foot closer to the door each night). Once you've left, pop your head in periodically, offer soothing words, but avoid taking her out of her crib. The crying will worsen for a week before it tapers off, warns Judith Owens, M.D., director of the pediatric sleep disorders clinic at Hasbro Childrens Hospital, in Providence. A transition object, such as a stuffed animal, may help your baby learn to soothe herself.
Next: The Dawdler
Comments Comments ( 6 ) Add your comment
What I don't appreciate is when someone else bashes my way of parenting without offering an explanation or any scientific evidence to support their claims. They just use their words to hurt and confuse. My opinion is that babies should feel NURTURED AND LOVED AT ALL TIMES. Does that mean that I give my baby everything he wants? Absolutely not. I do not spoil my child. I provide security by nurturing his trust knowing I will always be there for him. There is no such thing as too much love.
3/8/2010 04:39:10 PM Report AbuseWhy is it "the worst thing" I can do when I sleep with my child? For the record I have co-slept with my baby son since he was born. (He is almost 15 months.) He is a happy, secure child, and I get raves about how angelic he is. I appreciate that there are as many different parenting styles as there are people. What works for me may not work for you. That's fine.
3/8/2010 04:36:31 PM Report AbuseWorst thing you can do is sleep w/your child. Move on.
2/10/2010 11:54:30 AM Report AbuseMy 14 month old wont fall asleep without me and wakes up about 3 times a night. She's definitely fed well and has plenty of attention from us before bedtime but cant seem to put herself to sleep. I've tried to let her cry for 20 minutes or so but always give in. Additional complication is that she has periodic colds and ear infections -- i simply cant let her cry it out when she's sick. So its two steps forward, and 3 steps back, once she gets sick.HELP!
1/14/2010 01:58:23 PM Report AbuseMine won't fall asleep unless she is next to me. I can move her in her room after she falls asleep, but not before. Not only that but I am the only one she will let put her to sleep. If her dad tries, she cries until she falls asleep from exhaustion!! And then she still wakes up a couple times a night...
1/4/2010 04:32:54 PM Report Abuse