Climbing Out of Crib

I watched an episode just like you dicribed on Super Nanny. The mom had to sit in the room with the child. Each time the child got out of the crib the mom, without talking to the child, put him back in. This went on for a while. The mom did not talk to the child at all. After each 10 min time segment the mom moved closer to the door. By the third day there was not much of a problem. You need to set the rules before it is a real challenge. Super Nanny is a great show for ideas to help with you kids. I watch it every week and my kids are 19,16,11,8

Hi L.. To start with, 15 months is not too young to quit naps. Not altogether, anyway. By the time my #5 and #6 children were 18 months of age, we had been done with naps for a couple of months. They are both just high energy, and with multiple children in the house, they stay very active. Those days when you can tell he's just really tired and needs a rest, a nap, lay him down. But those days when he's fine, not irritable or cranky, then let him be. He'll be sure to go to bed early, or on time, and not put up too much of a struggle.
In addition, it's time to get rid of the crib. Time for a toddler bed. Now that he knows how to get out, he's going to continue. You won't get any sleep for worrying about him.
Hope you find some peace of mind, and a toddler bed.
C. M

My son, now 5, used to climb out of the crib very early. Scared me too. Tried leaving the side down. Ended up getting him a toddler bed and gating his room which you will have to make kid friendly. Furniture should be attached to wall with strong wire/screw. Just wait until he climbs bookcases and the refrigerator shelves. My daughter, now 7, slept in her crib till she was 3 yrs. Loved it Then went straight to a big girl bedroom set. Each one has there own personality. My son is still a climber/jumper he just does it in superhero outfits now. It's all good.:)

Ok unlike some of the other moms responding , when I read...

"""I went and got him because I think he is teething... But worse he was up for 3 1/2 hours so I just gave him tylenol and put him back to bed. I thought okay he will just have to cry it out.. """

I understood that you went and got him and you both stayed up for 3 &1/2 hours , not that you were letting him cry for hours or ignoring him. Please let's all read a little closer before we chide another mom.

About your issue....
If you are worried about him climbing the furniture you can get safty straps that you screw into the wall and the furniture that will keep them from tipping over. There are lots of baby proofing ideas out there. A simple solution would be to put the mattress on the floor. But I agree that 15 months feels too young not to be confined at night. But again you know your baby better than anyone. So "grain of salt" all of the responses that you have read (including mine <gg>) and good luck with your little one.

HI
I went through the same thing with my two boys. The crib should be adjustable where you can put it all the way down so he can't get out that is what I did. The napping part my advise is just try to make him more active during the day so he can take a longer nap, what time do you put him down for a nap? If he is only taking one nap a day you should probley put him down around 1:00. I hope this helps you.

Well, they say misery loves company, and I guess it's a little true, because my daughter is 16months and is going through the same night waking thing. I have to confess, I was a little relieved to read that I wasn't alone in this problem. Sighhhhh... it is soooo difficult, but we don't really let her cry it out. We wait a second to see if she'll fall back asleep, and then if she doesn't we go and comfort her. Sometimes we find that if we don't take her out of the crib, but just let her see us and maybe pat her back a little, she'll go back down without much fuss. I have to say (knock on wood) this has lasted for about 3 weeks (a very looooong three weeks), but she is finally starting to sleep through the night again. Her pediatrician told us not to take her out of the crib and not to feed her... as this would only prolong the wakeful night thing, but sometimes (I must admit) our resolve is weak at 2 or 3a.m.-
Hey! Whatever gets you through this stage, is my philosophy, and just rest assured that it is a stage and it won't last forever... especially if he's teething. My daughter was getting molars, when this started and now that they've cut through, she seems to be doing much better. Hang in there! Good luck!

Hi L.,

I've heard about great results with crib tents. Also, check out the book "Good Night, Sleep Tight", by the Sleep Lady, Kim West. Her approach is similar the the Super Nanny one below. I've been using her book for less than a week and have seen an amazing change in my son. He used to get up 5 times a night. We have it down to 1 now. The book does involve crying, but it's a gentle approach. I tried the "No Cry Sleep Solution" and unfortunately it didn't work for us. Above all, do what you think is best. You know his cries more than anyone else. Trust yourself and your intuition on whether he is just mad to be in the crib and not playing or if he is teething.

Can you sleep alongside him in your bed? That would help solve his need for comfort and the possibility of him falling out of the crib. And if there was a problem like a fever, etc, you'd know it sooner.

We got the crib tent. Check out babies r' us. Our son climbed out once before we got it and as soon as we got it he's been in his crib since. He is now 26 mo. There is absolutely no way for them to get out from the inside. Although, he cried the first 1-3 times we used it, like everything else, he has adjusted. Good luck!

You're concerned with teething... could he have an ear infection? Any fever? You want to rule out an acutal problem before you let him "cry it out" ... and crying it out at 15 months for hours is too much.

My oldest child was done with naps at that age and could climb out of the crib quite easily. The challange is not following what the books say and taking the child's lead with what is right for them. You likely don't fit into a textbook as a woman and a mother, your child likley doesn't either.

You can safely provide support, reassurance, without your child feeling abandoned and without you feeling guilty. Elizabeth Pantley has written alot on the "No Cry Sleep Solution".. check out her stuff, but make sure your son doesn't have a problem first.. it doesn't sound like this is usual for him.
Blessings,
C.

You can try giving him Tylenol or Hyland's Teething Tablets before bed, but why would you leave him to cry for hours in his bed? If you wouldn't do it during the day, don't do it at night. He's not crying to be manipulative or to wake you up, but because he is in pain and wants his mommy. If you were in pain, you would not want to be shut in a dark room and told to be quiet and go back to sleep, so please don't expect this from your toddler. Parenting is a 24-hour job.

I know it's hard to deal with the sleep deprivation, but this too shall pass... one of the many stages of parenting after they sleep through the night where you are not getting the sleep you are used to/want. The teeth will come in and it will get better, but in the meantime, don't ignore your little boy!

As for the climbing out of the crib... we had to put my son in a toddler bed at around 18 months because he was climbing out of his crib. Do you have the mattress on the lowest setting? If so, it might be time for a new sleep-spot for him to prevent him from getting hurt. :)

They sell a net crib dome at One Step Ahead. I have a few friends who have it. 16 months seems too young to be safely out of the crib in their room or the rest of the house so the dome keeps them in. My daughter climed out a few times at 2 years and 1 month but I kept putting her back in for about 4 nights and told her to call Mommy if something was wrong and that was her bed, etc. It worked and she is still in her crib at 2 and 7 months. Good luck.

Get a crib tent..they are great! they are a mesh dome that attaches to the crib, and it zips the baby in..I used one for both of my kids..they are only about $60..but worth it!!
I'm not sure where you are located, but I saw one on tampa bay area of Craigslist..under babies/kids..I think it was only $35-40 if it's still available..worth a look..They do have them at babies-r-us..Good Luck