Need More Sleep

K.,

I agree with Susana. I have a 3 year old son as well and he still wants to sleep with me also. I have tried everything, and I found that the only way that I can get a good night sleep is by letting him fall asleep in my bed and after he is asleep I take him to his bed. I also let him sleep with his brothers which also helps. If you have other children you should try letting fall asleep with them. It's probably that he just needs to feel somebody next to him. Once I did that he did just fine. I mean at times he still gets up in the middle of the night and climbs into bed with me, but the magority of the time he stays in his room. You should try that and let me know how that works out for you.

You're not crazy for still breastfeeding but I'm sure it is very hard on you. I still nurse my 2 year old and everything I've read says natural weaning is the best. But, you have to get your sanity back. There is a great book for people in exactly your position. It's called the No cry sleep Solution. I can't remember the name of the author but it is intended for people who nurse and want to get their children to sleep on there own. It promotes a very gradual method that is easier for us "softie moms". Good luck and remember this is the only time he's every going to want to cuddle with mommy. When he's 13 you're going to wish he still wanted to cuddle with you enjoy it for what its worth.

K.,

What we did was set a date and put our foot down. You should do it when you have two days off and set the time aside to be up all night. You need to just keep walking him back to his bed. We first said good night but everytime after that we did not say anything just went in every once in awhile and but him back in bed. This went on for over an hour. And when he first started crying I went into the bathroom myself and started to cry, but a few minuates later I stopped and relized this is going to be the first of many times I am going to have to put my foot down and he is not going to like it. Just don't give in. Be strong. They are going to say everything to get out of the bedroom. I started finding it verying funny. He was going on and on about everything in his room that he did not like on the top of his lungs. Has much as you think this may be curl at the time, it is really not and I personally rather take a stand now then when he gets older. And if you still want to feed him do it before he goes to bed in his room. But no matter what don't give in even one day after that or you are going to have to do it all over again. We also made a very big deal the next morning about him sleeping in his own bed. And after that very long night. He loves his bed and feels proud every morning.

So set a date with your partner and stay strong. You can do this and think of it has a gift to your son. Learning to fall asleep on your own is a big step to growing.

Good luck. send me a massage if you need some more support. It is not easy to listen to your kids cry.

My kids started of in a cradle by our bed then into a crib in their room. When it was time for a toodler bed I had a hard time with my older two. We had to put their crib mattress on the floor in our room and after a few weeks when they were use to sleeping on it that way we moved it to their room, still on the floor. After a while that way we were able to put it on the frame. Some times I'll let them fall asleep on our bed then move them to their bed.

I know the crying is killer but, you'll have to endure it for a week tops.

You have to put your foot down. Your bed is for mommy and daddy only. He is going to do what he can get away with. Crying hysterically is getting what he wants. Toddlers are scientists. They are very smart.

As far as nursing, I don't think its bad. I've seen news stories on this stuff. It's no big deal. You kid is friggin' healthy as heck I bet. That's a great thing.

But, sleeping in your bed is a No No. I take naps with my son on the weekends as a way to have that bond. But, he does NOT sleep in my bed unless he's ill and needs extra TLC.

Nip it in the bud. You aren't hurting him emotionally or psychologically if you are clear and consistent about rules of sleeping. And, when he does finally go to sleep in his own bed from start to finish, make a HUUUUGE deal about. Literally, have a party. He'll feel great and wanna do more big boy things. I pull the BIG BOY card whenever I can. It has worked - so far.

Went through the same thing with my son at 2 1/2 (not the breastfeeding but the sleeping in the bed). My suggestion is to take a week off of work and supernanny him. Meaning you must put him in his bed and sit on the floor without making any eye contact. He will feel comforted that you are in the room even though he might cry and fight. You can not give in! Never make eye contact or pay any attention to him. Eventually he will start to dose off. When he starts falling asleep you start to inch your way to the door, very slowly. If he wakes up, you stop where you are and continue the process. Eventually you will be able to get out the door. It might take a few nights. Trust me it works. Took me, one night and I've slept soundly ever since. Supernanny is the best! Good luck.

Is not easy girl, i'm a mother of two boys and they big now but for a long time i had the same problem. I suggest childrens lamp allways keep the room lighted with a night light or lamp. If that don't work let him fall sleep on your bed then you carry him to his own bed, give it a few weeks. and let me know how it goes.

Have you tried sleeping in his room with him. Until he feels comfortable in there. Then once he's adjusted you can start moving into your own room. At first wait until he's alseep and then little by little start doing it while he's still awake. Everything in stages. With the breast feeding thing, try giving him a cup of water instead. I'd stay way from milk or juice as during the night it can rot his teeth. You can do it at the same time as your sleeping with him. Keep the cup by his bed in the same place so once your gone he can always find it when he needs it.

i am glad i am not alone. you sound just like me lol. my daughter is 4 and still has to sleep with us even though she has her own princess bed. but i will admit her toddler bed is no where near as comfortable as mommy and daddy's bed so i do understand why they want to sleep with us. I usually wait for my daughter to fall asleep and then i carry her to her bed where she stays until she wakes up in the middle of the night because she has to go to the bathroom. now my daughters bed is in my room and only a few feet away from me but it is still a hassle to have to interrupt my sleep, take her to the bathroom and wait for her to go back to sleep and then again put her in her bed even though i usually just leave her there and fall asleep too. I don't know when all this will end but i do know that i will miss it when she is too big to sleep with us. lol or maybe we should just buy a bigger bed to accomodate her haha. no.
also my daughter was nursed until she was 2 and a half and then she just stopped. i wanted her to stop for soooooo long and everyone would tell me that she will eventually stop but after the second year i thought it was never going to end. i mean i would come running home from work and the first thing i would do is nurse her. but i missed it so much when she finally went to sleep without nursing. i needed the comfort so i would just hold her real close.