Monday, September 24, 2007

I used to know that word . . .

Sleep. I think that's how you spell it. I certainly can't tell you how to do it at this point. Not happening here. Its not so much the newborn-lack-of-sleep thing, but the added component of the 3-year-old not staying asleep all night. Jax has been waking in the middle of the night, throwing a wrench in the barely-working plan of DH and I trading off feedings to get some sleep. Its mayhem over here folks.

Sleep, or lack thereof, seems to be a common topic among the blogs I read these days. Thought I'd join the ranks . . .

How do you get a toddler to go to sleep on his own? Yes, its my fault to start with . . . some of you may now that Jax slept with me every night until about 7 months into the pregnancy, when I decided I'd better get my ass in gear and get this kid used to his own bed. In his new room no less. Well, he had done great until Cooper arrived, and I guess he is regressing a bit. I get that. But it doesn't solve the original problem that the kid has not gone to sleep by himself ever before. I (or DH) have always layed down with him until he falls asleep. We've tried to leave once he quiets down, but he wakes up and we start all over again. So its always been easier to either have him sleep in my bed, or stay in his bed with him until he's out. What happens there is that we usually fall asleep in his bed too. And his bed is sooooo not comfortable.

Is there a book or program from sleep-training a toddler? Any brilliant suggestions? Anyone wanna come ove rand do it for us??

6 comments:

Vicki aka Diva Mom said...

We have a little Elmo sofa bed in our bedroom that Bittyman will come and crash on. He knows he's not allowed in our bed (since Ittyboy sleeps with us) but he's always welcome to sleep on the Elmo bed.

Just remember this too shall pass!

Earthchild618 said...

Oh girlie...I am awake with you at night...we can trade bags under our eyes.

Hang in there b/c they tell me this passes...I pray they are right or soon I will be committed and lying in the looney bin right next to the rest of you non-sleeping mommies!

Anonymous said...

Suzanne,

Shhhhh, but we have a family secret. Hanna is almost 12 and does not sleep in her bed. I know everyone thinks we are crazy. We have finally kicked her totally out of our bed, but she makes a pallet every night on our floor in our room. We keep thinking her back will hurt and she will return to her bed. HA!!!!

Heck, don't even begin to think about getting Jackson out of your bed!

Sally

Unknown said...

Oh sweetie ~ I do feel your pain. Maybe Vicki is right have a place for him to go in your room for awhile.
We have slowwlllly gotten better with Cal going to bed, we now can sit on his bed or floor until he falls asleep then leave. But he still wakes up at night and I end up spending a few house a night in his bed.
I'm sending you a big hug and hoping you get some sleep soon.

azjenn said...

Oh man I have no advice. Brooke has always been a great sleeper and gone to bed no problem, I'm hoping Noah will be the same but I doubt I can get that lucky twice. I know there are a ton of books out there regarding toddlers and sleeping, I just can't think of any of the names right now. Have you tried the Supernanny technique where you sit beside his bed in a chair slowly inching towards the door each night?

Ali said...

Jack is a great sleeper too..sorry. I had a friend do the sleeping bag/couch thing in their room. then after a while they kept moving it closer to the door. Their son had more a problem waking up during the night and coming in their room. What does he do in his room if you leave and he is still awake?