Would you just let LO cry in this situation?

skibunny59

Hi Ladies,

DD is 2 1/2 and has never been a great sleeper.  Partly our fault and partly her personality.  Anyway, putting her to bed used to take forever and we used to be in there as long as an hour and half sometimes holding her hand and singing her songs until she fell asleep.  We finally put a stop to that about a month ago and she did great.  After her books, we would sing her 2 songs with the lights out and then leave the room and she would put herself to sleep.  She did this without any crying or fuss.  It was amazing and we were so happy.

Within the last week she has started to regress.  After we sing her songs and leave, she will cry or call us back in the room for something.  We've been going back in there when she cries or calls us but I have had it and I don't know if it's helping any. Tonight I had to go in 4 times because she wanted her blankets fixed, wanted a tissue for her boogers, wanted another hug, etc.  I tried to let her cry a little bit.  She wasn't really crying but whining.  Anyway, I ended up going in there and it just made me more frustrated at her and really mad at myself for giving in.  I guess I'm afraid that if I just let her cry or whine she will go on for hours and not go to sleep.  I'm really getting fed up and I'm not sure what I should do.

I also wanted to add that we just switched her to a new room a couple of days ago however she started doing this even before we changed her to her new room.

ashiscute

Whining?  Yes, I'd leave her.  Crying because she's genuinely upset I wouldn't.  But it sounds like in her case she is just whining and trying to prolong bedtime.  I would go in once and say firmly "mommy isn't coming back in, it's time for bed".  And then stay gone.  

I know it's hard to ignore it but I think it's best when you know they are okay.  When crying for you isn't the norm then I go in every time.  

mmooki

Dd is also 2.5 and calls us back numerous times for water, tissues, back rub... I do our routine and if she asks for more, I say I'll be back in 5 minutes. Usually by the time I get back, she is calmer and almost asleep. So a few soothing words/humming helps keep her calm and she usually settles down without a fuss.

MommyAtty

I'm not a CIO advocate in the least, but in this situation, yes, I would let her cry. She doesn't have a need, it sounds like. She just wants some extra attention and to not go to sleep. My LO went though a phase where she really needed to whine herself to sleep. We asked her pediatrician about it (we were worried she might be in pain or something), and he said it was a combo of fighting sleep and a need to kind of blow off steam so she could relax. It's apparently common and developmentally appropriate. The key is to be consistent. If you say no more, then you have to mean no more. Hang in there!