Getting My 16 Mo to Bed

I have a 17mo boy-Brandon and a 5 week old boy-Jeremy
Brandon slept with my husband and I every night. I know that laying them down and listening to them scream and carry on is heart wrenching. I let him carry on for up to 15 minutes, before I check him, usually with listening to his lullaby CD and his bottle he usually crashes. I try to wait until he's really tired but not to the point of being cranky. I've read in many books that recommend no picking them up out of their crib, just to go in cover them back up, give them their bottle and leave. I usually stand over the crib and stroke Brandons head, run my fingers thru his hair for a few minutes. Your idea of laying her down for naps by herself first I think is a good idea. Sometimes I wonder if it's harder for the child or the parent.
I'll be returning to work soon, and I'm having trouble leaving my son Jeremy in his room and not by my bedside.

Unfortunately you have started a bad bed time routine that needs to be changed. What your daugter needs to do is learn how to put herself to sleep. I put both of my kids in their beds awake and let them fall asleep on their own.

I would make a gradual change like instead on laying on the couch with her take her to her room. I have a rocking chair in my youngest daughters room and we rock while she drinks her milk. Maybe read a book and make this your special time instead of laying down together.

It's not going to be easy and be prepared for a battle but don't give in because every time you do it will be even harder to break the sleep habit she has learned.

Good Luck

Good morning Lola,

My daughter was the same way would only fall asleep in my arms. She would wake up at night screaming in her crib. We have a crib that converts to a day bed. So one night I thought about giving it a try. It was simple just unscrew the side and reposition the feet. My daughter jumped right in and started playing. What we do now is I have pillows on the floor incase she falls out of bed. Each night I tell her it's bed time we give kissed and walks in her room with me. I lay on the floor with her for a few minutes and she is usually out in 5 -10 minutes. She sleep all night now. If she does wake up she comes right to my room on my side of the bed.

This is just an idea that worked for us. My daughter was about 14 months old when we started this.

ALAM- My daughter is 19 months old and a little pistol. Work full time and have baby # 2 on the way due to arrive in June.

Going in and checking on your daughter every 5 minutes is giving her exactly what she wants...you. I would put her in her crib for naps and let her cry herself to sleep only going in to check on her after things have quieted down. She's learning that throwing a temper tantrum is going to get her what she wants, she just needs to out-wait you. Eventually she will get the message that what you say goes and you'll be able to put her down the same way at night. I agree with the reading a story or "special time" right before bed vs. laying down with her to get her to sleep. It'll be a new routine so it won't happen overnight but hold firm and you'll get there. I hope this helps - S.