Sleep Deprived - Elk Grove, CA

I know many mom's many not like this idea, but have you considered a crib tent? I've heard they work wonders in keeping children inside their cribs to sleep. It will also help you rest easier knowing that he isn't tearing his room apart in the middle of the night!

Hi S.,
My friend had this problem with her daughter at the same age. She bought a crib tent that works great! Children don't understand imaginary boundaries at that age. (the imaginary boundary being the bed and staying in it) I am very lucky that my 27 month old daughter LOVES her crib, in fact I have a hard time getting her to get out! But if she starts climbing out I will use a crib tent also. I've also heard of using a gate or doorknob cover to keep them in their room. Hope it helps.
L.

Does your 7 week old sleep in the room with you? I suspect that your 20 month old is jealous of the new baby and wants to be included. When I had my second baby, although my son loved her he also definitely felt the loss of his mother. The way I dealt with it was by making special alone time for him (we still have dates 3 years later), and getting him something special to play with while I was nursing. About the bed, I haven't had the same experience but when I wanted my son to start sleeping in his own bed, I got him a really cool bed with a starry night tent over it so he'd want to sleep there.

Hmmmm... I am thinking there might be a clue in the last sentence. Do you think your older son might be wanting to be in the bedroom with you and the new baby (if he's there), or wanting extra attention because of the competition?

You might think of ways to include him during the day, let him snuggle up when you nurse your younger one(if you do), etc... and get some special time with him, without the baby, and maybe some special privileges that might be contingent on his staying in his room and not waking you up at night? Try being firm, telling him that you need sleep and he is not to wake you up.

Or some might say, put a mattress in your room for a while and let him sleep on it, ONLY if he's willing to be quiet. He may find he doesn't like being roused by his baby brother, and will appreciate sleeping in the other room.

Is there a Dad or partner who can help? Whatever you do, try not to inadvertently reward him for getting up in the middle of the night.... have the other parent put him back to bed.

At bedtime, a nice routine, reading and singing to him, might settle him. But NOT to be repeated in the middle of the night.Read him A Baby Sister For Frances and other books about the new baby coming and the older sib's feelings.

The Family Bed people would say just take them all in your bed. That works for some, but never worked for us!

Good luck.

Hi S....

I am not currently at that point yet with my little girl, Thank goodness. I did buy this thing called the Crib Tent when my daughter was born to keep the cats out of her crib..apparently it is sold more for a child protection item. It is listed as a way to keep baby safely in his or her crib. Try checking it out. I got it from either Onestepahead.com or Amazon.com, or look on Ebay. At least on Ebay it wont be as expensive and no biggie if it doesnt work. Hope that helps. My neighbor's 2 year old son climbs out of his crib also and so I let her borrow the crib tent. She says since she started using it, he has not gotten out and sleeps the whole night again. So maybe it will work for you too. Good luck

Did you try putting the safety net on his crib? It is sold at almost any baby store and I know it is available at babiesrus.com because I looked into it to keep my cats out of the crib.

As awful as it sounds, they have netting that you can put over the crib to keep him in, mostly for his own safety. My sister-in-law used it for months with her son who would not stay in, it worked like magic once he knew there were boundaries. It feels a little strange, but worked.

Crib Tent!! I got mine on ebay.

hi there...they make this big tent shaped netting thing that goes over cribs, my idea is to try and find one of those to attach to his crib, they are meant to keep out bugs and pets, but they also keep baby in the crib....good luck.

A family bed if you can sleep with baby (I find it really hard but it works for many people) or move the crib next to your bed then gradually move it out of the room back into his room. Our 4-year-old did this when he was two and we did this using a toddler bed. It was insane how fast he could climb out of a crib! He now sleeps in his own twin size bed. He will wake up at 6:00am EVERY morning and snuggles with us in our bed. Our baby still sleeps in his crib, but I nurse him lying in bed at least once per night. I hope you get some sleep soon!

The problem is not keeping him in the crib...the real question is WHY IS HE WAKING UP???!!!!
This is not normal and could be something serious...
Like a sign of AUTISM!!! This are some early sign I had with my boys BOTH AUTISTIC, If you have concerns with AUTISM email me ____@____.com I can help!!! Love, G.. :0)

Crib Tent... saved the sanity (and sleep) of many of parents in our Mom's Group!

Have you tried to really wear him out during the day? Boys are usually very active and need to run, play outside more than you can imagine. A lot of fresh air and very little sugar (fruit, etc) will help. Maybe even a calming hot bath before bed. He shouldn't have any energy left to wake up at night "to play"....I take my 26 mo son for a 2 hour am play/walk at the park & then even possibly another 45 mins after nap and he loves night-night time. He dives into bed & usually falls right asleep as he's completely exhausted. We are lucky thought that he hasn't tried to climb out yet. He's a big climbmer but he gets it in during the day at the park, and I think he is afraid of "falling" out of crib as I always firmly guide him at the park what is safe/not safe, and he knows I tell him the crib is a big "fall". Anyway to help him become less able to get out of the crib? I;ve heard of tents for over the crib.

My daughter did the same thing only difference was that she never liked the crib. I talked to her about it and we went out and let her choose her beddings that we put in a regular toddler bed and she loved it so maybe he wants you to get rid of the crib. But then again it might just be his way of rebelling over the new baby. He might be looking at it as during the day you might be showing the baby more attention and he might be feeling that the only way to play with you is at night when the baby is asleep so maybe you can schedule times during the week where you can take him out for ice cream and stuff so he can have you all to himself and not feel left out. Kids are very smart. Good Luck.

When you really cant stand it anymore, take the lightbulbs out of the lights or unplug them and close the door. Most kids wont get out of bed if they cant turn the light on and play. During the day for nap time, you have to stay in the room and just keep saying 'lay down'. Dont make eye contact or talk, just keep telling him to 'lay down' when he gets up. Progressively you will be able to leave the room.

They have tents that you can put over your child's crib. I have a girlfriend who was having the same problem and they got a tent...problem solved. I'm not sure where they purchased it, but you can try One Step Ahead or just do an Google search. Good luck!

Hi S.,

Invest in a crib tent. It will be the best investment you ever made! It will keep him in his crib...you may have to deal with the crying and screaming until he gets back into a schedule, but it will keep him safe in his crib!

Good Luck!
L.

Crib tent. I have twin boys who are now 4 1/2 and one was crawling by 7 1/2 mos and walking before he was year. Of course he was the first to find his way out of a crib. The crib tents were a life saver and kept them content until we graduated to "big-boy" beds.

Good luck.

Crib Tent! I thought I'd never get one of those things for my kids, but my son climbed out of his crib at 15 months (fell out, really) and I wouldn't have been able to sleep knowing he could do that again. It took some getting used to for him (and it looks kinda funny!), but all of us were able to sleep well, and safe. I think it was about $70 when we bought it two years ago. There have been some on ebay, too.

Wow S.- You certainly have your hands full!

I don't have great advice, but I suggest you tire out your little climber in the evening. Maybe take a walk around the block, "wrestle" together on the carpet, dance, jump, skip and move around. Then, he might be too tired to wander at night.

Also, establish a bedtime routine and stick to it as best as you can. That way, it signals to your child(ren) that it's time for bed.

Lastly, you try to sleep when both of your kids sleep. Loads of people told me that when my kids were born and I didn't listen. I would use their nap time to "get things done" around the house. Consequently, I was cranky and tired ALL the time. Be sure to take care of yourself. I Hope this helps!

Take Care,
F.

My guess is that this new "phase" has everything to do with a new baby (usurper to big bro) in the house. That's all I have to say on that one, because how you deal with dividing time and attention with two wee ones is totally your call. But I'm certain that your 20-month old is acting out because of his new brother. Maybe that insight will help you plan a strategy. A few questions to mull over: Where does new baby sleep? Who puts number one to bed? Was he a good, all-night sleeper before? How much one-on-one time does he get, especially right before bed? Good luck. K. in EC

Sounds like Big Brother is acting out over the newly arrived competition.
I am just repeating what my baby books say - establish a bedtime routine and stick to it.
Make sure he gets story time &/or rocking chair time with just Mommy - no baby brother. As a first born myself I can tell you there's a LOT of jealousy. He's excited about the new baby - but is jealous of your time and takes it out on you.
He's probably figured out that little brother is staying forever and wants to be sure you haven't forgotten him.
Structure, Affection, Routine, Attention (SARA)