Sleeping Rutines

It IS necessary to teach a child to fall asleep on his/her own because overall they end up with a better night's sleep (because they can put themselves BACK to sleep in the middle of the night because they know how to self soothe) and it is healthier for the parents', too, since they end up with a better night's sleep too. HOWEVER, is NOT necessary to ever make a child cry him/herself to sleep. There are much more humane ways!!! I have used a system with my kids which I have passed on here at this site many, many times and several parents have written to me to thank me. Basically, you start with whatever bed time routine you want to do-- every family is different-- but the key is to try to do it the same every night. For us, we have finally figured out a way to involve the whole family in my toddler's nighttime routine... My 11 year old son has started reading him a bed time story, then my husband does prayers, then my 10 year old daughter and I sing him 5 verses of the itsy-bitsy spider-- the same 5 verses in the same order every night. He knows after the "happy happy spider" that I will be leaving the room. But the key ingredient is I always tell him I'll be right back. I tell him I am going to go do something that would be boring to him, like I am going to wash some dishes or do some laundry or change into my PJs. Then I close the door-- he has never had a night light-- I just close the door and he's fine because I told him I'll be right back and he knows that I really will be back because I do this same thing every night. I go and check my email or whatever, and after 10-15 minutes I go back in. Occasionally he is already asleep, but usually he is laying there nearly asleep and I pull the covers over him and tell him good night. Sometimes he is so sleepy he just says good night-- but sometimes he acts like he doesn't want me to leave, so I tell him again that I'll be right back. Then I come back in 15 minutes or so-- and again either he is asleep or almost asleep. Since you are just starting this now, at your son's age you may need to go back in after 1-3 minute intervals for several nights in a row to build up the trust that you really will be right back and he will learn that he can not only trust you not to abandom him but he will also learn the great lesson that he is just FINE all by himself when you are gone and that he really ultinmatley doesn't need you to be there as he drifts off to sleep.

first of all I am a GERD expert :)
http://www.mamasource.com/business/14059862321568677889

and second of all I believe you've answered your own question!

follow your son's lead and follow your heart & the two of you will figure this out.

ps: tums split up into 4 pices or even quick dissolve tums are safe for toddlers...he might need something before bed! ask your ped GI

Developing a good bedtime routine is essential. Babies, toddlers and children all need predictable routines. It provides security and comfort. They know what to expect and what is expected. I started when my son was about 6 months old and we still do a version of that same routine and he's almost 5. Check out Dr. Sears Baby Sleep Book. He has a section on toddler sleep. There is absolutely no reason in the world to let a child cry themselves to sleep. Go with your gut! Check out Dr. Sears and the No-Cry Sleep solution too.

I had to fight with this myself! But the doc kept telling that it was the best for my son. So I did and it was really hard, but after the 3rd night he didnt cry at all! I was totally shocked! What I did was go in at 15 minutes and give him a hug and tell him I loved him...that seemed to upset him more that I didnt get him out though. I ended up buying one of those crib aquariums and he LOVES it, he cannot go to sleep without it. He is to the point now when I ask him if he is ready to go night night he will walk into his bedroom. It really does make a big difference. It is kind of like discipline....it is hard to do, but will be the best in the end. Hope this helps

I also disliked the idea of letting my son "cry it out" and have never really done it. We co-slept until he was a year old, but soon after that he moved into his own room. We used the book The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. It is geared toward younger kids, but there is another version for toddlers and preschoolers that might help for you. Crying it out is not the only way to teach your child to sleep on his own, although it often seems that way when you look for advice. One thing I had to learn was the difference between flat-out crying and him whining in his sleep. My rule was not to go in his room unless he called out for mama or daddy or he was crying. Little whimpering noises did not get me out of bed. It seems like you have bad associations with crying to sleep, so I think it would be painful for you to try that. See if you can get the book I mentioned; she lists lots of different alternatives so you can find something that works for you and your child. My son slept on his own through th night consistently within a few months. He was making it most of the time though within a few weeks, so we were getting full nights of sleep in between. If you aren't comfortable with cry it out methods--don't let people make you feel like you have to! Do what feels right for you.