Help DD HATES her cot!!

Hi

Since I joined BB - I have found it an absolute field of information and tips. I really need help with a strange problem that I have. I know that most babies etc dont really like to sleep but my DD who has just turned 1, bsolutely hates her cot! She has never ever liked it and wont sleep in the room by herself. I have let it go on this long but now she can sense when you are lying her down in her cot as compared to my bed and she starts screaming.

If she wakes up and discovers that she is in the cot - she starts screaming.
If I put her in her cot to sleep -she starts screaming.
If I walk near the cot whilst carrying her - she starts screaming.

I have tried to put some really cool toys in there, she has the flashest mobile that plays music and lights, she has lovely sheets and quilts - not that a 1 year old cares - but after 12 months of fighting it she absolutely hates it! She is too little to go into a bed by herself.

I really want her to start sleeping in her cot so I was wondering if I could please draw on the collective knowledge that is also known as the BellyBelly Forums and get some suggestions to put into play?

Thanks

Sorry Allis, got nothing that will really help - i have exactly the same prob.

We are just going to get rid of our cot. Nate sleeps on a matress on the floor when he isn't in our bed.

DS never liked the cot either. He was in a single bed by 18 months & if I'd known how much it would help, I would have done it sooner! We bought a car bed (which is really low to the floor & has sides).

I honestly would try a toddler bed with removable guardrails (you can the rails from Target). They use a cot mattress and are very low to the floor.

You could also try giving her play time in her cot. I read some advice about this recently and in the article they said that if the baby had some positive experiences in the cot then they were more likely to be calm in it when it comes to bed time. The article suggested popping them in there for some play time (with toys, tummy time, watching a mobile) with the lights on/blinds open and lots of positive reinforcement from mum. After a bit of play time take them out to their normal play area.

I do this with DD when I'm hanging out the washing as the clothes line is outside her window. She's really content in her cot and I'm sure this has helped.

Good luck!

Put her in a bad with side rails. GL.

Oh also, DS hated his cot but loved his portacot, I think cause it had soft sides? Maybe give that a go?

Can you stick it next to your bed? I had the exact same problem with Harry and my little sister, love her to pieces told me how she moved her son from her bed when his little sister was born.. She started with a matress on the floor her bed and he happily slept in it because it was still next to mum. Naturally you need to keep the door closed, the floor clear and anything breakable or potentially harmful hidden away so its not tempting them. Gradually it moved further away from the bed until it was against the wall.. Then she moved it into the cot against the wall. Finally into his own room. By then he was so used to sleeping in his cot it didn't matter where it was.

Its working a treat with Harry so far but harry is 3 so we are sidecar with the toddler rail.

HTH.

DD1 was the same. what we did for ages was just take the cot matress out of the cot and put it on the floor in our room (child proof the room of course) and she just slept on it. when she woke up she would just toddle out to the loungeroom.

after a while, i got a junior bed and then eventually popped her in a single bed with guard rail. she was in a single bed by the time she was 18months to 2 years!

No idea!! Similar issues here. Good luck!!