Unofficial Mom: Help, help, HELP!!!

January 31, 2011

Help, help, HELP!!!

This little girl is killing us! Don't let the sweet face fool you. She is being a stinker.

She has decided recently that going to bed is for the weak. I take that back. She has decided that sleep in general is for the weak. She has dropped down to one nap a day. On occasion she'll throw a second pity nap in for us, but usually just the one nap. And if it were a good nap, okay, but it's usually about an hour. Not nearly long enough.

And now she's decided to completely ignore all bedtime rules. We have had the same routine for months and months. We have dinner, play a bit, tub, stories, snuggles and bed. Well, all of that is the same except when it gets to the snuggles and bed part. Now she will snuggle and sort of pretend to go to sleep, but as soon as she thinks we're headed for the crib...bad news.

She grabs on like a spider monkey and starts howling. She absolutely refuses to go down. It is heartbreaking. We know she needs the sleep, we know she's tired, but still a huge fight to go to bed. It's only been in the last week or so, but it feels like forever! The interwebs said it's the 55 week development spurt, but I don't know...

Please help! I can't stand her crying and getting so upset before bed. Suggestions, thoughts, high proof alcohol to share?

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Crisc · 739 weeks ago

When Heaven used to do that, I'd let her cry it out. Now that she's going to be 3, she keeps waking up at night and I wanna go get her. My husband says she cant sleep with us and blah blah blah. Good luck with the naps. At 7 months Heaven went down to one by 13 months she no longer napped anymore. I still put her down for quiet time everyday though

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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Emily · 739 weeks ago

Try to hold strong. We have been dealing with the same thing since Icie turned one. We have good weeks and bad weeks. I enforce an afternoon quiet time at the very least. I don't care if she actually sleeps (though the nights are better when she does) but it's 1-3 or 2-4 in her room lights off, no exceptions. Most days she plays quietly for an hour or so and naps for an hour or so.
Nights are still questionable and there is no rhyme or reason to her wake ups, our doctor says it may just be her natural rhythm and when she's old enough to understand that night time is okay and quiet time, she may get better about falling back asleep on her own. He said some kids are just stubborn, and I'm lucky enough to have one of those stubborn kids.
We stick to our routine though and hope that one day it clicks.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Brandi · 739 weeks ago

*Sigh* Our almost 2yo does the same thing. They seem to go through phases when they think they are too cool for sleep. ;)

I've never been able to do the cry it out method because it breaks my heart, but I know people who say it works. I just snuggle or rock mine until they fall asleep and then I put them in their crib. If that doesn't work, we have a king sized bed and I just let them snuggle with us. I know most people cringe at that, but they're only little once and letting them sleep with you isn't the end of the world. All mine have done it and my oldest (10 yo and 6yo) transitioned into their own room when they were toddlers and did just fine.

Good luck!

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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Meg · 739 weeks ago

Oh, no! I think we all go through the same thing. I'm lucky right now because both my boys like sleep (at night anyway). My 19 month old has already dropped the 2-nap routine, but he sleeps for a good 2, if not 3 hours. I think she'll get back in to the routine. I know you want it to happen right. now., but really, how many things happen that way? Hang in there!

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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finally Mom · 739 weeks ago

Hang in there momma. Just keep on with what you're doing, move it along a little quicker, be consistent, and I'm sure things will settle down again. (sorry for the novella that will be sent via email :D )

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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jenny · 739 weeks ago

It seems like all my kids had a little backslide at different times, hang in there, our mantra is and has always been, this too shall pass. And for the time being, even though it is hard, you have to try to stick to your routine, she may protest, but she will no doubt get over it! Hang in there!

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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Erica Leonard · 739 weeks ago

I feel your pain! Don't go crazy yet;) More than likely it's just a groth spurt issue that will work itself out. these days will seem like a sweet dream when she starts dating:)

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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Cindy A 68p · 739 weeks ago

Bailey is doing the same thing, and she barely naps!! She is waking every 3 hours also... I am dying!! This has been 3 weeks now...ugh! I do not know what to do either, just taking it day by day! Hang in there Momma!

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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Pamela · 739 weeks ago

The only thing to ever work for any of my kids is crying it out. It usually doesn't last long and one they make it through several days, they get over it and just go to sleep.

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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JMJE · 739 weeks ago

I don't know what to tell you but she looks really cute in that picture.

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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MommyLisa · 739 weeks ago

You have to ride it out. Sorry - you can try whatever you like, but they have a mind of their own and you cannot force sleep.

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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Allie · 739 weeks ago

It's nice to know it's not just my lil guy. My champion sleeper has become a terror. I'm right there with you.

Thistooshallpass.... thistooshallpass...

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Sara · 739 weeks ago

thistooshallpass...thistooshallpass...thistooshallpass

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Efloraross 100p · 739 weeks ago

Nothing makes me more crazy than when my child will not sleep! Seriously, I go nuts. We have dealt with this, too. But it never lasts long. I think you're doing the right things. Stick to a routine. Don't draw that routine out too long. And, when you have to, let her cry it out. It sucks but it doesn't do her any harm. Hang in there!

1 reply · active 739 weeks ago

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Kayla 41p · 739 weeks ago

they all go through that and just wait until she gets a big girl bed and realizes that she can get in and out on her own lol. We would let tater cry a little checking on him every couple of minutes and reassuring him that mommy and daddy are right here but we did not take him out of the bed. its VERY hard but if you stick to it she wont end up sleeping in mommy and daddies bed later.