I was having an issue switching my 21/2 year old from crib in our room to big boy bed in his and my 4 year olds room. It was suggested that I skip naps so he is extra tired and falls to sleep fast (rather than bounce around his bed for hours disrupting my 4 year old) Well, I skipped naps yesterday, put them to bed at 7pm and within 20 minutes they were both sleeping!!!! This was amazing. Now, the only problem I'm having is what to do when he wakes up in the middle of the night and comes in our room?! He wants to get in the crib which is ok, however, my 3 month old will be transitioning into the crib soon (hopefully) any advise what to do about this?
My oldest was 16 months when his brother was born, and 18 months when I needed the crib for the baby since he had outgrown his bassinet so quickly. I bought my oldest a toddler bed, and set it up next to the crib. He had no trouble sleeping in his big boy bed at all, though the baby would wake up in the night and fuss, and I would go in to get him. Well one night the baby woke up but was only talking so I didn't go in right away, my oldest decided to climb into the crib and lay with "BeBe" and they both went right back to sleep. After that night I often found them in the crib together by morning. I would say that as long as your 21/2 year old is gentle, let them be together. I can't tell you how much more sleep I got doing this!
That's what Paddy does, but it's for a completely different reason. I usually pry my DH out of bed (since Pat always goes to him) and tell him to take Pat back to bed. I don't really have an answer for this so I am really looking forward to hearing what everyone else has to say.
The 'bounce back' worked for us. When they toddle into our room we would walk them back to their own bed. A stuffy that is kept in bed and will "miss you if you're not there", helped. You may find that you just have to be tough about it for a week or two, and he'll fuss about it. But really, he already likes the new bed, so hopefully he would get over it fairly quickly.
Our kids always knew that our door would be open to them. I would allow a child to crawl into bed with us, but only for a short time. Usually, they'd crawl into MY side, but of course it would disturb my husband, who wuld get up to use the bathroom. And I would tell the child that Daddy would take him (her) back to bed when he returned.... While there's nothing wrong with allowing your children to join you, it wasn't something I wanted them to get into the habit of doing. So this was my compromise. And, of course, you don't want to refuse a child who has a real need!
maybe a reward chart....... after a week of sleeping in the big boy bed in the new room with his brother they BOTH can pick out something..... a small stuffed animal or a movie to watch (even if you borrow one from the Library)....... then maybe set up a two week chart...... maybe a breakfast in bed celebrateion.... poptarts or dry cereal--- on a try
Well, day two is just about over. I feel awful keeping them up from naps, but I can already tell that 7 o'clock bed time will be a breeze. This mornings reward was Easter peeps and they were thrilled. We will see how the middle of the night waking is. I decided that although I'm so excited to get all the girly frills in the crib I will wait a while and ease him out. Maybe I'll make a big deal out of him giving his bed up for sister. I was also thinking that maybe after a week or two we will set up bellas bed and tell Liam that if he comes in our room at night that's ok but he will sleep in his sleeping bag on the floor. Is that mean? Where's my parenting manual??? The hospital must have forgot to send mr hone with one. ; )
Our 2 year old, we're using a bounceback method similar to described above. Our 4 year old can sleep in her sleeping bag on the floor if she comes in "before the sun comes up." However, if either of them stay in their own beds all night long, they get 10 mins of quiet time on Daddy's lap the next night (after bedtime - which of course they eat up!)
