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August 2012 Moms
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Toddler sleep HELP!!

99frontier99frontier member
in August 2012 Moms
XP on Attachment Parenting and Aug '14 boards. 

DS is almost 20 months old. He has never been a good sleeper. Finally, when he turned around a year old, we took down the crib & I began co-sleeping with him (queen bed in his room w/bedrail) so we could both get more rest. He nurses to sleep for his nap & nurses before bed (but not to sleep) for bedtime. My boobs have become his lovey (he likes to just reach his hand in my shirt, then he’s suddenly comforted).

His major issue is that he needs ME to fall asleep. He has never been able to go down for bed unless I am in the room with him, right by the bed. I tried Ferber (HATED it…CIO is NOT for us) when he was around 9 months. I tried a version of the Sleep Lady Shuffle around 12 months with the help of a hired sleep consultant, but he started teething fiercely & when he teethes, his separation anxiety goes off the charts so I had to stop…hence the co-sleeping. For a while, I would lay down with him until he fell asleep, then he would sleep until about 10pm, then I would go to bed with him. Fine. But now, I’m 19 weeks pregnant & freaking out about what will happen when baby #2 arrives.

I’m trying to get to where he can go to bed without me so that when the next baby comes, I’m not having to leave baby #2 for 30+ minutes while I go lay down with DS until he falls asleep (DH works 3rd shift every other month, so baby would be alone). So, I’m trying the Shuffle again, but he just will not fall asleep unless he is touching me, & for the last 2 weeks that I’ve been trying to attempt the Shuffle (haven’t gotten far), he has started waking up every 30 min-1hr after bed & will just sit there & cry for me until I go in & comfort him back to sleep.

Suggestions?? Help please?!? 

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Re: Toddler sleep HELP!!

  • SJandVASJandVA member
    I'm sorry. Sounds like DD1. She eventually outgrew it so I don't have any good advice. Her sleep habits was one of the reasons there is a 4 1/2 year gap between my 2 girls. I hope someone can help. Just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in having sleep trouble. Hang in there, hopefully things will get better before the new baby comes.
    victoria5month samantha5
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  • shakinrosshakinros member
    Ugh sorry mama.

    What about another lovey? Does he have anything he likes that he could cuddle instead of you? Maybe you could encourage one by taking it to bed with you so it smells like you. I'm no expert but it sounds like he needs some nighttime comfort and maybe a stuffed animal would help.
     Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • 99frontier99frontier member
    shakinros said:

    Ugh sorry mama.

    What about another lovey? Does he have anything he likes that he could cuddle instead of you? Maybe you could encourage one by taking it to bed with you so it smells like you. I'm no expert but it sounds like he needs some nighttime comfort and maybe a stuffed animal would help.

    He does have a little stuffed penguin ("Wobble") he cuddles when we nurse and I put him to bed, but even Wobble takes a back seat to my boobs. Maybe I'll start redirecting him to Wobble when his hand migrates down my shirt... Thank you!
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