How do I get my 2 yr old to STTN,

txbutterfly

DS is in a big boy bed and still wakes up crying for me at least 1 or 2 times a night. Every night! Hes 26 mos, thought this would be done by now. He can get out of his bed but there is a child safety lock in the door so he just cries standing by where I rock him. I still rock him to sleep and when he wakes I have to do it again which can take up to an hour on bad days. I'm a zombie. Help! It seems like too late to CIO, we did that as a baby in the crib. I can't take the wake ups any more. Any tips?

danigirl7181

 Can you lay down with him in his bed. That what I do with DD.

BelhurstBride

Can you wean off the rocking? Maybe try the NCSS.

With the baby coming (meaning I'm going to busy with someone else in the middle of the night) we decided to have DH start taking over DD's wake ups. He started shortening rocking and spent more and more time in her bed with her. Once she was okay with that and not rocking he started spending less time in bed with her before he'd leave the room. She really took quite well to it. 

She was closer to 3 at the time, but completely STTN now. It's fabulous. I never thought it would happen!  

Angela814

My almost 3 yo still wakes up once a night. I make DH go lay down with her now since I have a baby to take care of.

sschwege

I think if you want him to STTN you have to work on helping fall asleep without rocking.  Kids and adults naturally wake up during the night, so when your son wakes up he knows no other way to get to sleep without rocking.  I agree with pp about perhaps laying down with him or having your partner do it

laurakaz13

sschwege:

I think if you want him to STTN you have to work on helping fall asleep without rocking.  Kids and adults naturally wake up during the night, so when your son wakes up he knows no other way to get to sleep without rocking.  I agree with pp about perhaps laying down with him or having your partner do it

Agreed.  We stopped rocking at 10 months and I even think that was too long.  Just put him in his bed at night.  If he gets up, then put him back there and tell him it's bedtime.  Keep doing it until he gets it. 

ilba2011

Have you always rocked to sleep? sounds like he has a strong sleep association with rocking. You might have to teach him to fall asleep on his own.

JulySpark05

Yup, unfortunately, in rocking to sleep, you have created a habit so your child will not STTN until he can learn to fall asleep on his own. Sorry you are going through this and I hope you have an easy time when you decide to wean from the rocking.