I am sorry I didn't see this earlier. I hope things have improved
I have to say that I agree with your instincts. At that age it is common for them to go through some separation anxiety, and I believe that comforting them and making them feel secure is the best way to help them through it and become independent. It sounds to me like you are doing a fantastic job of parenting your DS and knowing when to ignore bad advice.
As your DS is getting a bit bigger now, one other thing you could possibly try is moving him into a bed. Sometimes a change like that can help them feel more grown up and help them past the difficult time.
Thanks for your replies! It has improved, slightly. We moved him into a junior bed, smallest size and he is quite happy with that. I still need to stay with him, preferably holding him untill he falls asleep, which can last up to 2 hours! But at least it keeps him from screaming and it makes going to bed less stressfull.
Then sometime during the night he wakes and crawls in to bed with us. He has had trouble falling back to sleep and even was quite distressed for an hour last week.
Thanks for "backing me up" I really needed that. Like I said earlier, I am definately the only one going for gentle parenting. Pils and dh reckon I am spoiling him. But I am sure gentle parenting is the way to go with this little man!
Glad to hear that things are improving slightly.....btw, I love your little man's name!
Children are different in their approach/ability to sleep. We have 4 darling children, and each is different. DD7 was a very difficult sleeper, and co-slept until 12 months - never sleeping though the night. She is now 7 (nearly 8), and still doesn't sleep very well......last night she (at some point), took her pillow and sheet and bed down on the floor in her brothers' room. She goes through stages of slipping into our bed during the night - so much so that we don't notice her come in anymore - just wake up at some point in the night to find her there. In saying all of that, our boys are outstanding sleepers - DS 5 could even tolerate being changed (nappy), and a complete dress whilst asleep.
I don't see letting them cry as fruitful - as it just manages to make me just as distressed as they are. But, I do insist on bedtimes and don't let them just run amok. My Grandmother thinks I am cruel, as I set bedtime at 6.30, and DS 11 has 30-60 min more time.
You love your little man, so don't feel bad that others think you are spoiling him.....the world would be a better place if there were more Mums around like you.
Thankfully he is now more calm when going to bed, so I will start trying to leave and come back later. I have used that method before but he just panicked.
He screams as soon as I start leaving at the moment, but it might work in a little while.
Guess he will have to start learning again that i will not leave him.
Thanks again everyone for the "gentle parenting" support (or should I just say BB-support lol)
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks