Sleeping Problems and More

I have a 14month old daughter and I have been trying to get her into a sleeping pattern. I have been trying to get her to nap in the morning and the afternoon and I have a hell of a time with her, and then on the way downtown she falls asleep on me. Then even when we go to visit she falls asleep, and then when I transport her to her carseat and then pack her into the house and if she is still sleeping I try to put her to bed, but just as soon as I lean over to lay her down in her crib she is standing straight up and crying.

so I take her out and go and sit in the rocking chair with a bottle and get her to sleep and when I think she is sleeping I try to put her in the crib, but as I lean over to lay her down she is again standing straight up and crying. Then when I take her out and stand there holding her she falls asleep. That can go own for at least 2 hours.

what am I doing wrong and what can I do to stop that? how can I get her used to having her naps and try to put her to bed at a half descent time. She goes to bed anywhere from 10pm to midnight.... help me

Reply from Julie at New Baby & Beyond

Hi, You sound very frustrated and I can understand why. A lot of mothers go through this sort of problem with their babies, so you are not alone.

Firstly babies do tend to fall asleep in the car, it's the vibration and sometimes even the engine noise which will calm them. Do you have to go into town at night with her?

Is she actually having a nap on either of the times that you put her down? Maybe two naps during the day could be too much for her. Try giving her a feed at around midday, and then putting her down for a nap. It doesn't have to be at midday, it could be any time that suits you and your daughter.

It sounds very much like she is using you as her sleeping aid. She is that used to you rocking her or feeding her and falling asleep in your arms, that when you put her down she instantly wakes and wants Mummy again. I know it's going to be hard for you but you have to break this association she has of using Mummy to get herself to fall asleep.

Please read these sleep problem tips and pay extra attention to the 'controlled crying method' and the 'transitional object method' be warned though, that getting your daughter out of the habit she is in at the minute is very unlikely to happen overnight. It could take a couple of days or even weeks, but once you start using a method you really should try and stick with it. If you give in at any time then you are sending her the signal that it's OK to go back to her old sleeping habits.

I really hope this helps, if I can help any more then please use the comment box to reply to this message.

Good luck and kindest Regards
Julie.

*Edited to add - Try and get your daughter into a good sleep routine. We may find routines boring, but babies and children both thrive from a routine where they get to know what will happen next. Review this page: How to teach your baby a new routine.