I might try feeding him early and then try water at bedtime - I did try water in a bottle to see if sucking on a bottle would help settle him but he just squirts it (has never taken a bottle) and gets bed all wet. He is such a hungry thing both for milk and food. He seems to wake starving in the morning for breakfast - just like me really.
Dollyroux - the laptop thing - well we don't have a laptop but I doubt would work as has never fallen asleep in front of TV - won't sit still for long enough I think - that would have worked for DD for sure - he is the opposite of her in so many ways - has ants in his pants!
Chocaholic - Yes we read lots of books to him, he is a book maniac like his sister and is always bringing over books for us to read, and happily listens to books I am reading for DD (if is just me doing bedtime routine - normally DH reads to DD while I am feeding him) - maybe will try a more boring book - and reading it for longer - maybe won't shorten the overall going to bed time in the beginning but might be less frustrating.
Mummajj - I suppose one of the things is not sure really what should expect of a 17 month old in a bed - DD went in at 22 months and was easy peasy - I do try the leaving thing but can only do it after DD is asleep or she starts wailing too (despite her not needing us ever before) but I can't get out of the room before he is out of the bed! I must admit I haven't tried doing it for 2 hours though.
Last edited by wysiwyg; December 30th, 2012 at 06:29 AM.
We spent hours lying next to DD waiting for her to go to sleep, and had the frustration along with it. I don't have a failsafe solution, it is still a work in progress here too, but we had some success (especially when we have the energy to be consistent) in getting her settled in bed, 3 books etc, and then leaving for progessively longer periods, but returning before dd got up or started mucking up or getting upset.
At first, it was only getting up from the chair and then sitting back down again. Then, saying 'just need to get something' and be back in a few seconds. slowly extending the time, but returning before chaos hit or it all started again. SHe got lots of (calm) kisses for staying in bed. She could read or play with her teddy or whatever, cos i think she needs that to wind down, but she learnt she could do this without us sitting there.
i think you said he wa on a mattress on the floor. Maybe having him in a bed would create a bit more of a barrier between in bed and out, and so he would have to do more to get out? DD was in a bed at that age with a safety barrier and a step for her to get in and out. To get out though, she had to climb down the end of the bed and then on to the step, so it gave us a bit more time to 'catch' her in bed,
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks