Inmate ID #: 062206Name: Emma
Crime: Refusing to go to bed nicely and then escaping from her crib
We use to have it all good. Emma would have a few sips of milk and then go off to bed without a hitch. We wouldn't hear from her until we got her up the next morning. The story has changed. Now the whimpering starts as soon as we get her jammies on. Once she's in the crib, forget it! She cries and screams as if she's seen a ghost. She even escaped from her crib a couple times, that's how determined she was not to go to bed! It's the same story for naps. I finally gave up yesterday during nap time after 45 minutes of trying to get her to nap in her crib and brought her to my room where we both crashed and slept on my bed for a couple hours. Last night for bed time, Mike stayed with her for a little while and then would sneak out. She'd realize he was gone and start crying. He'd go back and tell her soothingly that it was alright and to lay down. Finally, after a few rounds of Daddy's reassuring presence and voice, she went to sleep. Why this sudden change? The only changes in her world that I can think of are the room darkening blind we put in her room and moving her crib a few feet from the window so she wouldn't play with the blinds. The blind really isn't that room darkening, it just makes the morning sun not so bright. We tried using a night light to see if that would help. But I don't think its the light or darkness of the room that is bothering her. Its as if she doesn't want to be left alone. Physically she's entering the terrible twos, maybe that's part of the problem. I don't think her teeth are bothering her and she's not sick. What am I missing, people? Those of you with experience, please help! Any ideas on why this sudden change in Emma's night time behavior and how to handle it best? I'd appreciate any ideas, suggestions or sympathy! Thanks.
-The inmate's tired mom
4/14/08 UPDATE: She's back on track folks! It was one long, tiring week but we eventually got back to our old, good sleep habits again. Thank goodness! Thanks for the ideas and sympathy, I really appreciate it! I guess it was just a little phase!
6 comments:
You'd think I'd have some good advice, but I really don't. Is she ready to quit taking naps and just go to bed sooner? Or is she getting enough physical activity during the day to exhaust her enough to go to bed easily at night? All my kids quit taking naps by age 2 and we'd put them to bed around 6:30 at night--it was nice to have that quiet time in the evening to regroup. Good luck--I hope her sleep troubles don't last long!
Oh dear. I feel for you. I really do. AND to top it off, I have no words of advice other than maybe it's just a little phase and if you stay consistent, it will pass quickly?? Good luck!!
See you tomorrow night.
I have no advice to give, but I am sending you all the sympathy in the world. Good luck!!!
Oh no! These little phases are so frusterating! Ivy acts up when she's teething. Maybe her two year molars are coming in??? Hopefully your inmate will settle down soon and you can have some rest. Funny picture!
Tyler went through almost the identical thing, and I thought I would go crazy! But it turned out to be just a phase, and after a month or so he went back to his old self. But I spent a lot of time googling childhood sleep problems and got plenty scared that he had some major disorder! Good luck!
I totally know and I have no advice, that will probally work at least. Madyson gave up naps totally early on, so maybe Emma is ready to do the same. Hopefully it's just a phase and she is trying to test you. Good luck!
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