Help please!

[daizydoo]

DH is leaving for Iraq in 3 weeks and our ydd is still up 3 times a night. Does anyone have any suggestions for helping her to sleep through the night or at least more. Our first 2 slept through the night by about 6 months and I hate to just let her cry it out. We did try it once but she would not give up and just kept screaming and I couldn't take it. I could see letting her work it out if it only lasted 10-15 min but this went on for an hour with no end in sight. What has worked for you?

[WestCoastBuckeye]

First of all- My dh leaves in XX days for Iraq so I feel you in wanting sleep issues resolved. What has really worked for me is routine.
5:30-dinner
5:45-playtime
6:30-short bath
6:45-pj time (we have certain ones that are worn only at night-warm fleece ones)
7:00-story time on big brother's bed
7:15-night night boys-I love you and I will see you in the morning

Now my routine hardly varies and it really helps them learn that its time for bed. When she wakes up in the middle of the night-I would check on her-make sure she's ok then put her back to bed-I don't talk much so that its not "fun" to be up in the middle of the night.

Good luck!

[honeybunmom]

We also have a bedtime routine. We transitioned dd to her crib (from our bed) at 14 mos. She's 17 mos now and wakes up maybe 1 time a night every 3rd day or so, and even then, rarely needs actual attention. What I did during the transition was every time she got up, went to her room and laid her back down in her crib and told her she was ok, it's time to sleep, not time to play. Invariably, in the beginning she stood right back up. I laid her right back down. Yes, this went on for up to an hour some nights, but, the transition is over and dare I say, SUCCESSFUL!!! It took about 1 month total for us as we have a very determined dd. But mommy was more determined! So, now, she may cry/whimper for up to 5 minutes, and can settle herself back down. Most nights, I don't even hear her; dh tells me she fussed for a bit.

Elisa

[daizydoo]

We do have a pretty routine bedtime and she goes down well it's just the staying asleep. Typically when she wakes I go in, lay her back down, rub her back for maybe 30 sec, tell her goodnight and go out. If she is still fussing after 15 min I do it again. I do nurse her at about 4:00 am but not any other time. Do you think it would help to not nurse at all at night so she knows that me coming in will not result in nursing?

[doberbrat]

no advice but God bless you & your husband.

[honeybunmom]

Originally Posted by daizydoo We do have a pretty routine bedtime and she goes down well it's just the staying asleep. Typically when she wakes I go in, lay her back down, rub her back for maybe 30 sec, tell her goodnight and go out. If she is still fussing after 15 min I do it again. I do nurse her at about 4:00 am but not any other time. Do you think it would help to not nurse at all at night so she knows that me coming in will not result in nursing?

It might . . . Sometimes, when I remember, I go in with a sippy cup of water. That usually eliminates dd pawing at my shirt to nurse. If she's really going at it (my shirt) I always nurse her. But, again, it's maybe once a week now. Otherwise, she nurses upon waking and when I get home from work.

Elisa