When he was just a wee thing, DS would sleep pretty much anywhere, but as he has got older he has gradually reduced the amount of places he will sleep. Now its pretty much only in his cot or, if he is really tired, in his car seat. Very occasionally he will sleep a quiet dark room at someone else's house, but usually not.
It means we pretty much have to work around his sleep schedule to make sure we are home for his sleeps. This definately limits us, but I don't really mind- I have always just figured that's what life is like with a baby, and as he gets older he will need less naps and we can do a bit more.
But sometimes we get wierd looks when we say we have to go so Peter can sleep (like from a party or something), and I was just wondering if Peter's inability to sleep anywhere but home/car is a strange or bad thing? Should I be trying to get him used to sleeping elsewhere? If so, how?
There is no hope of getting either of my boys to sleep so long as there are people to talk to - they're waaaay too social to go tobed in strange house.
Natty has gone through phases. At this stage, I don't usually bother giving her a day sleep if we are out. If we are at a friend's place for dinner and it is later than say 8pm, I will put her in a cot there and yes, she will go to sleep.
In the past she has gone through phases. Generally I used to pat her to sleep if we were out, or I would put her in the stroller and take her for a walk (if we were outdoors or at the shops or something). She wouldn't fall asleep if left on her own.
The reality is that most of the time we were at home for her sleeps though, so it wasn't often an issue.
Do the people who give you funny looks have children? I have found that the least understanding of my friends have predictably been my childless ones, who have that know-it-all attitude of how it's wrong that your kids should affect your plans and inconvenience you, etc. LOL, I have a couple in mind that will learn soon enough!
No, the wierd thing is that the friends who gave us strange looks are parents themselves- although they are probably a bit more laid back and less routine oriented than we are, so maybe they just always expected different things from their child?
Hmmm, maybe. Or maybe they were just fortunate to have kids who'd be flexible on the sleep front
It's really not unheard of to me that a kid would choose his own bed. Particularly if you are as you say, routine oriented - kids like what they are used to. Very few parents would argue that one!
Does Peter go to sleep on his own usually? Or does he need help to get to sleep?
He sleeps on his own. He used to need to be rocked to sleep, but then we got him used to falling asleep on his own- now he won't go to sleep unless we leave him alone. Its like "would you just go away so I can sleep?"!!!
I think this is pretty normal. It's a bit hit and miss with DS and I remember by about 18 months if we were out with DD I wouldn't even attempt it, she could cope missing a day sleep now and then and would most often sleep in the car on the way home.
At the moment, DS doesn't sleep well if we're anywhere other than at home or MILs so I work around his sleep if I can. Easier for everyone I figure.
**ETA: Sorry, I just noticed how young your son is. I think at this age yes, DS would sleep most places but wouldn't go to sleep on his own, i'd have to stay with him until he fell asleep but then usually he wouldn't sleep as long as what he would at home.
Do your kids sleep when out?
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks