Rejecting bedtime routine

watercolor5 · February 2014

Last week DD got sick and threw up in her crib in the middle of the night. We didn't hear her when it happened, and didn't wake up right away. Ever since then, she is rejecting any part of her bedtime routine. She just cries and cries if I sing to her, read her a bedtime story, hand her her lovie, pray for her, try to rock her in her glider, or try to give her a milk sippy. She hasn't had any milk at all since she got sick- not sure if that's related to still not feeling well, if she associates milk as the last thing she had before she threw up, or if she associates milk with bedtime.

She'll sometimes let me read to her if I don't read a book I would normally read at bedtime, but the minute I suggest something like Goodnight Moon, she throws a fit. I miss our cuddle time and singing and rocking and reading- I can handle paring down the bedtime routine some, but throwing it out the window makes for a sad Mom and a toddler who cries for a long time before she can wind down.

WWS12D? Is this a phase? Is she testing boundaries? Or did I scar her by not waking up right away when she got sick?

I need my Mommy-Daughter time back!

AKB090609 · February 2014

Could you try doing a new bedtime routine for a few weeks until she is feeling better and has had some time to forget about being sick? Perhaps do different bedtime books on the couch.

bosha711 · February 2014

That sounds tough, sorry! I was also going to suggest changing location for a while. Do pj's, milk & story on the couch in dim light till she's really sleepy, and then transfer to crib?

Hope she is back to normal soon!

watercolor5 · February 2014

Thanks, ladies! I'll try changing up the routine a bit with a different location and books, etc. She's still not taking any milk, but I won't push it until she's eating normally again. Ugh I can't wait for sick season to be over!

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