We would put them to bed and then leave. There was no "requirement" to sleep, they had to be in their room, in their bed and quiet. There were lots of reminders, and it lasted a few months on and off. No consolation I'm sure, but it is a phase.
This. It has always worked for every kid I have ever babysat. I didn't care if they layed there for hours and talked to themselves. They were laying down and would eventually fall asleep.
I was the same way for years. I remember it.
You laying there does nothing for her in that regard. Her body knows when it needs to fall asleep.
What worked with my ex's boys was putting March of the Penguins on, they were asleep in 10 minutes. Don't know if you want her to get in the habit of falling asleep to the tv, though. Maybe the soundtrack playing quietly in the background?
The boys need to be in their room and relatively quite (for them). As long as they only leave to use the bathroom, we don't care. They just need to stay in their room after a certain time. Don't care if they're sleeping, playing, singing, just need to not hear any screaming.
Sounds like everyone else has it covered. And really, chances are that if you leave her to her own (quiet) devices, she's likely to fall asleep a lot more quickly than if she's actively fighting you.
That would be great! Except that she refuses to stay in her room as well, and well, she's not quiet in there what so ever. She screams and fusses... and then as soon as I think she's quieted down and I go downstairs, she sneaks out and comes part way down the stairs to see what I'm up to. It's just really frustrating. I know she's still adjusting to all the changes, and she's used to co-sleeping, and now mommy's not there! So that's part of it... that's why I'll usually lay down next to her... it's just frustrating. And no, no TV. She doesn't even watch tv during the day, however, I might have to pull the iPod speakers back out and revisit the sleepy-baby playlist from when she was itty bitty.
Three nights really isn't much time for a little person to adjust their habits and expectations, no matter how frazzled a parent might feel. Establish the "new normal" and stick to your guns. It might take a few weeks, but sticking to the routine you expect her to respect will begin to move the mountain, eventually.
That is what worked with my youngest. We used the Sesame Street 25 anniversary tape. You might also ask is she having scary dreams of late? Unfortunately, I have to agree with the others. At some point it is about her staying in her room and you just letting her ware herself out.
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I was the same way for years. I remember it.
You laying there does nothing for her in that regard. Her body knows when it needs to fall asleep.
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