Sleep problems- need suggestions please! (long, sorry)

brandyarm

DS is a little over 2 and I am desperately looking for help on his sleeping problems. We were very diligent about him sleeping in his own bed until he turned 1 and started slacking off and now I feel like we have created a monster. He went through a stage of wanting his cup with him at night and would wake up 3-4 times a night wanting milk, I made a little "bed" for his milk in the frig and he would put his milk to bed before he went to sleep. It took a few nights but he finally quit cryin through the night. Then... I got pregnant again and got lazy about it. He now sleeps with us and is back to waking up 3-5 times at night crying for his milk until we get it. My husband is out of town most of the time for work and needs to be able to sleep when he is home. Pedi suggested putting a mattress on the floor so that is one option. DS will be sharing a room with his 7 year old brother in the next 6 months as well. Just curious what you all would suggest? Should I do away with the milk first then move him to a mattress on the floor in our room or go ahead and try moving him in with his brother? Any good books or methods to try? Any help is greatly appreciated!

brandyarm

I should add that he takes a 2-3 hour nap at daycare. Thanks again!

LoveEeyore

I'd ditch the milk first.  Give him a sippy of water to keep with him and tell him now that he has big boy teeth, he can't have the milk after brushing because it is bad for his teeth.  I would stop making the bed for the milk.  It was an awesome idea to start, but right now he's older and remembers that it's there.  Once he is "over" that (hopefully a wekk at worst, if  you are consistent), move him to a full size in brother's room.  Maybe lay down with him initially for a while. 

I just broke DS (mostly) of crawling in our bed in the middle of the night by taking him back EVERY time and snuggling a few minutes in his bed. 

Maybe try an okay to wake clock in the 7 yr old's room and go off about how cool it is before DS moves in with him.  I had to buy a second one for my girls because they loved DS's.  Good luck- hope you can get it figures out before the baby comes!

animalcrckers

i would definitely do one switch at a time and let him adjust before making another switch. it might draw the process out but it'd be better in the long-run imo. i would do milk, then mattress, then move him. i totally understand the slacking because i have done it too.