My husband and I are fast approaching our wits' end. Our 21 month-old has, since she was about a year old, been a great sleeper. Bedtime routine, one book, a quick snuggle and we put her down awake - she drifts off to sleep alone. Until recently that is. Starting about 5 nights ago, she is just terrified of bedtime. When we tell her its time for bed she starts to cry. During her routine she stalls a million ways (wants water, wants a different paci than the one she has, wants a cracker, wants a new diaper, etc etc). We try not to give into many of them. She also wants me to keep reading book after book. Once I put my foot down and say "no more" and then put her down she gets sooo upset. I've tried asking her why "night night is scary" and all she'll say is "night night bad. mommy goes away." We tried making her cry it out (halfheartedly) the first night but she got HYSTERICAL. After 10 mins she was soaking wet with sweat and almost hyperventilating.
We've had to rock her to sleep or sit in her room until she goes to bed and it takes at least 40 minutes because if she is not out like a light, she wakes up at the slightest movement and starts to cry. Once she's down and out, she (knock on wood) sleeps through the night then. She is getting her bottom final two-year molars so that may be part of it. We also moved about a month ago but she'd been doing great until now.
HELP! What can we do to ease her back into the wonderful routine she had? She has a night-light and we play a lullaby CD - always have (both). We're not sure what else to do!!
Hi K.
It is not unusuall for kids her age to go through seperation anxity and that seems to be what is happening I would start by sitting in her room and then slowly moving out and then checking on her to know you are still there. Good luck hopefully it will pass soon.
Does the night-light make any scary shadows on the walls?
K.
I agree with Tiffany. It will take some time on your part, but it will shorten the battle in the long run. You could also you could give her one of your t-shirts that has your scent in it.
Just for fun, have you heard of The Floppy Sleep Game (it an Audio CD) by Patti Teel. Since I used it over 7 years ago, I see that there is now a book! Looks like the book is for adults. The CD walks the kids through a "fun" relaxation exercise where they shake out and relax each part of their body. The the woman tells a story. Check your fav online book store.
Give her a special teddy bear or doll to protect her and tell her that it is a huggy bear, or something like that.
Also is her new room further away from you than her old one? It may be scaring her to be that far from you. Or closer and she is hearing new sounds.
Maybe for a few nights tell her you will sit in her room with her but she has to stay in her big girl bed and go to sleep. And then you will stand in the doorway... in the hall.... and ween her out of it.
I'm just typing as I'm thinking so, hope this makes sense.
Hi, K.-
I was also wondering what may have changed in her daily routine, just like the previous poster. Has the amount of time you're spending with her during the day changed? Maybe if you've been busier (as a new move will do) she's feeling like the two of you don't spend as much time together? Perhaps she needs a little more one-on-one time with mommy before she "goes away" for night-night time.
Just a thought! Good luck with your LO!
My son went through a phase where he was afraid of monsters, so we made "monster juice" (water in a squirt bottle) and he was able to spray under the bed, in the closet, etc. to keep them away. We left the bottle by his bed, and that problem went away.
Also, have you tried white noise? A fan, or a white noise machine might help.
