#1 still needs to be rocked to sleep....

Whitney DD · January 2012

I'm freaking out a little. I spoiled #1 rotten and she still needs to be held when going down for naps or bed time. If you had this problem, what did you do? We plan on trying to sleep train again, but I HATE hearing her cry. Suggestions?

Qmommy · January 2012

With DD1 I started nursing her in the family room then taking her to her room for her nap/bed time. I then put her in her crib and lied down on the floor next to her. The first couple of nights she fussed but never went to full blown crying. After she got used to falling asleep without nursing I slowly moved myself further from the crib. I never did make it out the door before DD2 arrived though.

Now I am able to put her in her big girl bed, kiss her good night, and walk out of the room without trouble. But that's thanks to my MIL for taking care of her the 2 days I was in the hospital. DD learned that she didn't need me there to fall asleep since my MIL didn't lie on the floor with her.

You can also have your DH try to put her down.

memali26 · January 2012

We rocked DD1 to sleep until she was 12 months old. At that point it would take an hour some nights to get her down, so it needed to stop. We used the Sleep Lady Shuffle (the book is The Sleep Lady's Good Night, Sleep Tight). It wasn't completely tearless and took about 12 nights, but it was easier on her and I than cry it out. It's pretty much the same idea that PP used - gradually moving away from the crib so they learn to fall asleep with out you. Worked wonderfully for us!

MamatoJackson · January 2012

We had DD when DS was 12 months and were still rocking. When DH went back to work, DS was 14 months and we had to cry it out. It sucked but my options were limited - and it worked.

12bailey18 · January 2012

Oh that was us!! For awhile after DD was born we were still able to rock DS to sleep. DH and I would each take one child. We soon learned that it just wasn't going to work anymore so we decided to sleep train DS (He was almost 20 months...LOL.) It worked awesome! After 3 days of CIO he no longer needed to be rocked. He would seriously only cry for maybe 10 minutes- tops. It wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. We still rock him (it's part of our bedtime routine to sing a song or two) but we lay him down wide awake and he's fine. Sometimes he'll wake up in the middle of the night and want to be rocked but we never rock him to sleep anymore. It only took 3 days to break the habit.

It's kinda funny, though. DD HATES to be rocked. Cries and screams and loves to be put down in her crib wide awake to fall asleep on her own. Could not be more opposite from her brother...LOL.

allie_smalls07 · January 2012

12bailey18:

Oh that was us!! For awhile after DD was born we were still able to rock DS to sleep. DH and I would each take one child. We soon learned that it just wasn't going to work anymore so we decided to sleep train DS (He was almost 20 months...LOL.) It worked awesome! After 3 days of CIO he no longer needed to be rocked. He would seriously only cry for maybe 10 minutes- tops. It wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. We still rock him (it's part of our bedtime routine to sing a song or two) but we lay him down wide awake and he's fine. Sometimes he'll wake up in the middle of the night and want to be rocked but we never rock him to sleep anymore. It only took 3 days to break the habit.

It's kinda funny, though. DD HATES to be rocked. Cries and screams and loves to be put down in her crib wide awake to fall asleep on her own. Could not be more opposite from her brother...LOL.

Your kids are EXACTLY like mine. I have to admit though, I STILL rock the 2 1/2 year old to sleep for his nap or he won't nap! His naps are waaaay too important for me to allow him to drop them. Poor #3 is probably gonna be hanging out in his swing while I rock big brother to sleep once a day...his sister survived and is an awesome sleeper because of it. I think #2 just learns to deal...I'm hoping #3 will get the drift as well. It's not meant to be cruel either, some kids just require more help to fall asleep - especially those firstborns who we all tend to spoil. To OP, you'll see quickly that with 2u2 someone usually has to wait Good luck to you!

maplehearts · January 2012

Let her CIO. She is old enough that it shouldn't take her long to learn. Go take a shower when you put her down or clean the kitchen. Do something that makes enough noise that you can't focus on her crying.

Whitney DD · January 2012

Thanks ladies! I will have to do it eventually... ugh.

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