My son is almost three and just moved from a crib to a bed about a month ago, and also he decided to stop using his pacifier a week ago. Consequently, none of us are sleeping. He was an excellent sleeper as he slept through the night and took a long nap everyday. Now, with all the change, he wakes up every 2-3 ours at night because he cannot self soothe himself back to sleep. We were letting him sleep with us for the first few days, but I am a light sleeper, so that couldn't last. Now my husband will go in his room in the middle of the night to lay next to him to help him back to sleep, and ends up falling asleep himself.
What can we do? We have already tried walking him back to his bed every time he comes in our room. We bought him a stuffed animal to sleep with, and I have even put a child-proof safety knob on his door, so that he won't come out of his room. We are sleep deprived and I am 5 months pregnant. My friend told me it took her son 3 months to sleep through the night after giving up his pacifier. Any words of encouragement.
Note: Since he gave up his pacifier willingly, I don't want to give it back, especially since the dentist says we needed to get rid of it by age 3.
Two major changes at one time is too much for a 3 year old. Give him back his pacifier, but only for sleeping. Then after he gets used to his "big boy bed", start working on getting rid of the pacifier.
With your next one, I would suggest getting rid of the pacifier at a much earlier age. The older they get, the harder it is for them to break the habit.
I am a little confused. Did your son make the decision to give up the pacifier or did you? Either way, there just may have been too much change in too short a time for him.
Sleeping through the night requires relaxation and a feeling of safety--for children or adults. You may want to go back to the pacifier until he gets used to sleeping well in the bed. Keep another transitional item in the bed with him (the stuffed animal or special blanket, or whatever he connects with). Then, once his new situation has gelled, you can transition to no pacifier. Even if he initiated the no pacifier, he may need to go back to it.
Also, does he have a set bedtime routine? This can be really quick 10-15 minutes or longer, whatever works that signals to his body that it is time to get ready for bed.
My boy has his bath, lasts 15-20 minutes because he LOVES it, then a massage/rub down with lotion, get into pj's, brush teeth, and a story or 2 and quick song as he lays down. The key is that it is the same order every night. Even if we have a crazy night, he will get a 2-3 minute splash in the bath. This helps him get in the sleep frame of mind.
Good luck!
Taking a paci and transitioning to a bed are two huge milestones that are not smooth to do at the same time. Transisitioning off the paci was my child's choice as I snipped the paci to break it when he was not looking and then when it was time to rest said, OH no its broke we will have to throw it away, and he did, Then there was a 2-3 day adjustment of that asking sometimes for it and reminding him he threw it away because it was broken. The crib to bed transition was an 8month battle to keep him in the room as he had his freedom to not sleep and We stayed firm, didnt let him in our room, sat next to him in the bed for 10min. then stood outside door to catch his escapes which would go on for an hour a night. I had an early bedtime start in these months and a successful night would be an 8:30pm bedtime, hard nights would be 9:30 with the battling with my son. A long 8 months, solution, a RED Car bed, Lightning McQueen sheets. Who would have guessed that right? Goes to bed 7:15pm every night and wants to sleep in his car bed with no problems.
Best wishes with a new sibling on the way I'd go straight to a very exciting Room Makeover and the paci should just resolve itself pretty soon.
Hi V.,
I think you are doing all the right things- sometimes it takes them a little while just to adjust to their new found freedom and sleeping patterns. I am afraid this is something you are going to have to adjust to yourself- sorry-lol---- he will eventurally adjust- just be patient. My little great grand daughter did the same thing- when she appeard at her mommies bed she just took her back- soon she could just say, Addy, go back to your bed- and she would- leave a light on for him and pretty soon he will stop- kids do the darnest things-
good luck
blessings
why would you make him stay in his room if he's adjusting to the new changes. That's just cruel! (just my opinion)
When my daughter went from the crib to a bed she too had issues adjusting to the change. I found it more comforting for her to put the bed in the same position that the crib had been. You may also need to just sit in his room (saying nothing and not looking at him) as he's falling asleep. Just the mere presence of you being there will be comforting for him and as he sleeps, it will reassure him that you're still there even after you leave his room.
If he's getting up at night and wanting to sleep in your room, you can either just continue to walk him to his bed or just let him sleep on your floor. Is there anything wrong with your son sleeping on the floor next to you? You won't loose sleep and eventually the floor will get old and he'll stay in his bed.
I know that it's more convenient for your son to be sleeping all night in his bed; but children don't always feel the same way. He's had 2 major changes and is about to have another change in a few months. Your son just needs a little extra patience and TLC right now. Just remember that this is a phase and it will pass.
Go back to what was working so everyone can sleep.
After a few nights back in the crib, he might decide he really wants the bed. It really helps if it is his decision. I tried moving a 2 year old out of a crib before he was ready b/c baby brother was here! Did not work. Baby slept in the bassinet just fine for 4 -6 weeks.
Newborns don't have to have a crib. And it makes the older sibling feel like they are being replaced.
Same with pacifier. Has to be his decision to leave it, or it will backfire miserably.
Shorten afternoon nap time, or move it earlier in the day, too.
Have 3 boys. 3 yr. old boys need to be very busy physically during the day to sleep well. It is exhausting for you when you are pregnant. I know! But they need to be running and jumping and playing in the late afternoon especially. If you are too tired, hire a responsible teen a couple days a week to take your son to park, or go for a long walk, or play ball.... those little boys have tons of energy! If they don't burn it off in the day, they will at night. Good luck!
