As Mikey will find out when he becomes a parent, there is no instruction manual provided by the hospital after you have a baby. I try to use my Early Intervention knowledge in dealing with our every day life situations when dealing with a toddler. Then there are other times when I totally forget that knowledge when it comes to my own child. After multiple nights in a row of not sleeping well, I am trying to take in every type of behavioral strategy in helping Mikey go to sleep and sleep ALL NIGHT in his bed.
Last night was the worst.
He was put to bed at 8:15pm. We kept the routine the same: went potty, put pj's on, brushed teeth, read a few books and then tucked him into bed. Without me even having time to get to the couch from his room, the door was open and the lights were on. He was looking at me angelically from behind the gate in front of his door. I went in and put him back. I snuggled with him. This happened about three times before he actually settled down.
Then at 3:00, he was up.
Wide awake.
Lights on.
Door open.
Whining at the gate.
LOUDLY.
I tried to put him back to bed. I tried ignoring him. Finally at 5:30 Michael went in to tell him to go to bed, and the two boys fell asleep in the rocking chair together. I went in, broke up the sleeping party, and pouted saying that we are teaching him the wrong thing and he is never going to sleep in his bed all night. The next day I was consulting the professionals that I work with to help us with our sleep issue. I was begging Mike to get the crib piece from the storage unit so we could put him back in crib.
UPDATE: Now a few days later (1/15/12), Mikey may need some assistance initially staying in bed (Mommy putting him back to bed one or two more times before officially retiring for the night). I have been using the "Super Nanny" method of not making eye contact with him and just going into the room, picking him up, putting him in bed, THEN looking at him to say "it's time for bed" and then leaving. In the morning, Mikey wakes up around 7. The alarm clock/stop light is programmed for 7:30. With the exception of breaking the monitor & emptying his drawers, Mikey is playing with his quiet toys and books until the light turns green. Immediately he will yell, "MOMMY! IT'S GREEN, MOMMY! IT'S GREEN!".
Hopefully the transition to the bed has now been solved. Mommy and Daddy LOVE their sleep!
Meant to comment earlier when I read this....hope it is all still going well now!! I reversed the locks on my kids doors. When it is bed/nap time....I lock them in :) My mother-in-law flipped at first, then she babysat once and tried her technique (NOT locking the door). The kids played her like a fiddle. Had her up and down the steps a hundred times with 10000 requests (hungry, thristy, potty). Finally....she said goodnight, and LOCKED THE DOOR! :) I don't know that the lock matters as much as getting the idea across that NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO, they are not getting the reaction they want out of you. For me, the lock just seemed the easiest. And my friends/family can vouch for me....I have some great nappers!!!
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