Monday, August 10, 2009
HELP... any advise!!
SO... Gavin started climbing out of his crib last week. Since then I can't get him to take a nap during the day and it takes me forever to get him to sleep at night (an hour and a half last night) Fun right? So he and I are both exhausted! I ordered the convertible piece to his crib to make it a toddler bed but it won't come in for a week or two... I've tried the cry it out method but he'll hold out a long time (an hour of crying at the door and not a single let up) I've placed his mattress on the floor in hopes he would get tired enough and crash.. no luck! I've threatened.. I've promised... I don't know what to do until that convertible piece comes in and then just let him cry it out knowing he can crawl back into his bed! HELP! Any advice would be helpfully... even if I don't know you! Thanks!
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10 comments:
Two words.... crib tent.
I know there are a lot of people who think this is mean to do to a kid, but it works. And isn't it better that they don't run the risk of falling when they are climbing out? We had to do this with Cora and it turned out great because she got the needed nap and we didn't have to worry that she was going to fall.
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Consistency is the key. you have to stick to your guns. it will be exhausting [for everyone involved] at first, but it will pay off.
i would suggest leaving his mattress on the floor, laying him in it at night and then sitting right outside his door. when he gets out of his bed or comes out of the room, go pick him up and lay him back down in his bed with a simple "good night". don't re-engage with him. just keep doing htis over and over until he gets the point.
if it's not working, maybe you could bring his 5-point harness car seat inside and put him inside that next to his bed. if he continues to get out of his bed, then he gets buckled into his carseat instead. i'm sure he won't like it, but he'll be safe and he'll learn quickly.
good luck. BE CONSISTENT.
Hey April! I love reading your cute blog. Your little Gavin is so darling! I just wanted to tell you... Been there! Done that! I think the mattess on the floor is a great idea, that way he can get used to the idea of his toddler bed. My advice...even though I know you feel so mean for letting him cry it out, don't give in!!! He will get tired and lay down. Just stick to it and it will pay off. I gave in way to much and now I wish I had been more strict at bed time from the begining. :) Maybe you already do but try reading a few books and singing and tucking him into a cool sleeping bag on his "floor mattress" so it seems fun like camping? Good luck!
I second what Amy said.
So the mattress on the floor is a great idea, but if it's not working then make it more fun. Make a fort out of it and put his favorite stuffed animals of blankets in it. Buy him a new crib sheet that has his favorite characters on it. Put some books or quiet toys in the corner by his mattress so he has something to do as he gets sleepy. But whatever you do you have to build up the big boy bed BIG TIME and hype it up and make it so exciting and make it a privilege and something that he can hardly wait to get into. You could also try to create more positive associations with his room too, specifically his bed. Have some special time where you read books at least once a day in there while he's sitting on his bed, or have some good snuggle time in there. But have it be positive so he WANTS to be there. Then at bed time act excited for him to get to lay down on it and show him how much his teddy bears love sleeping in a big boy bed and tell him that he gets to sleep in a big boy bed just like daddy. I've found that emphasizing the positive always works better with my kids than being strict and harsh with the negative. But if the positive isn't working for you then of course be consistent and non-emotional about it, just matter of fact. This is what we do at bed time. This is where we sleep, this is how it is. At bedtime we go into our rooms and close the door. What you do in there is up to you. You can be happy or sad, but you have to stay in your room. Eventually he'll learn to put himself to sleep and that is the greatest blessing for all of you! GOOD LUCK!! Sleep Issues are one of the hardest things about parenting in my book! I wish kids loved to sleep and cherished it as much as adults do!
*My sister had the crib tent and it was a dream for her! She said it worked great. So you could always go that route too.
I too have been waiting for this day to happen. If it happens soon (like it's happened to you) then I will buy a crib tent. Mostly because I KNOW my son and he's not ready to be in a big boy bed yet. I've heard a lot of good things about the tent! Good luck!
I am with amy on this one!
Kimball's mom would tie his shoelaces to the crib. Would that be considered child abuse now? :)
I hope it's getting better. I had the opposite with Ashley. She LOVED her crib and didn't ever want to move out. Yes, she was 3 and was kicked out by Ruby.
Ruby on the other hand.... I think I will be asking you what worked!
Just so you know, we are going private. Send me your email and I will add you to the list.
I was just looking at your sisters blogs. Your family is so cute! I'm excited for you, that you get to go home so soon!
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