How to get toddler to fall asleep on their own?

Question

I don't have a large home so my 19 month old shares my room. She started walking at 7 months (no joke) and began climbing out of her crib at 14 months. I took her crib apart, got a toddler bed, and set it up next to my bed. After a few days, she would sleep in it and still will, but...in just the past couple of weeks, her sleep patterns have gone wacko and I have to spend 1-2 HOURS getting her to sleep. She used to nurse, fall asleep, and I'd put her in her bed - but no more. My room is about as child proof as I can make it, but it's not sufficient to just leave her in the room awake to get herself to sleep. I can't take being stuck in the room for hours with her just giggling and me getting nothing done and often falling asleep myself. Am I going to have to just dismantle my whole room, give it to her, and sleep on the couch? Help!!!! All the advice I read online is for people with homes large enough that their toddlers have their own rooms. I don't have it like that...

Answer 1

From what you've said, it is my impression that your daughter does not know how to put herself to sleep (you said that you nursed her, she fell asleep, and then you put her in bed).  She really needs to learn to go to sleep on her own.  At this age, it is important to get her on a regular schedule.  Have a bedtime routine - take a bath, brush teeth, read a book, and then get in bed.  I would also recommend that your daughter get a lovey if she does not already have one.  It will make sleeping much easier.

As for the bed situation, I would start by putting her toddler bed in a corner.  Then, move your bed close to her bed with about 6 inches between them.  Buy a tall screen and put it between your beds.  This will secure her in her own space on 3 sides.  On the 4th side, you would have to fold the screen so that it touches the wall.  You could then buy a small hook and eye kit and attach the eye to the wall and the hook to the screen to secure the last side.  Make this her own special place.  Put pictures on the wall that she would like and maybe include a few of her favorite toys.  At least she will be confined to her own area and you could get some stuff done.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Wow, you are in a unique delimma, and I feel your pain.

I have some suggestions, as I have a 2 year old that has been sleeping a lot more lightly since she transitioned from the crib to the bed.

1. Cut off all liquids within an hour before she goes to sleep.  That way, once you change her, she'll be dry until after she falls into a deeper sleep.  If you recently changed her type of diapers and pull-ups, you may need to just give her time to get used to them or go back to the old kind

2. Make sure that she's not having problems with gas or heartburn (aka reflux).  Especially with reflux, it's more uncomfortable once you lay down, and, in my past, has kept me from falling asleep quickly.

3.  Turn off all of the lights in the house when she's falling asleep.  The glow of a nightlight can be a distraction.  Since you have a small place, this is even more important.

4.  If you live in a noisy neighborhood, find some good soft music, like the sounds of the sea or something, and play it as background music while she's falling asleep.  That really helped my son when he was little.  If there's a rainstorm at night, this is especially helpful to drown out the noises from outside.

5. Purchase some good quality lavendar scented baby products and give her a warm bath and then massage her with the lotion before put on her pajamas.  Then brush her hair, and the sleep mojo will be suddenly upon her. (LOL)  You can put her in the bed and go do whatever else you needed to do.

6. Make sure the temperature of the room is not too cold or too hot.  My littlest one likes being in her winter pajamas when we have the A/C turned up high in the summer.  She definitely sleeps better in them than in lighter clothing.  Also, you can take her favorite blanket and put it in the dryer just before bedtime, and then lay it on the bed before you put her in it to warm up the sheets and mattress.

I hope that these help.

God bless!

Answer 3

I think that it is going to take some time on both your parts.  My little girl is 2 1/2 years old and I still lay with her while going to sleep.  It sounds like your LO isn't tired enough when going to sleep.  If you can push her nap back some in the day so that at night they won't have the struggle.  I say this b/c just recently my dd started takinga  long time to go to sleep.  And I have slowly moved her nap back and make sure she gets in activity after nap to make sure that bedtime is better.  I think that when your lo is ready to go to sleep on their own they will let you know.  I had to rock my LO to sleep and then she decided that she wanted to go to sleep in her bed and we haven't looked back since.  

Angela

Answer 4

mine still sharing room with me and he's now 2.i think it's ok to let our child sleep with us until they're ready to went to their own bed.i know your problem cause i had it too when he was about yours age.i touch and sing to him until he felt asleep.it long for a week.after that he just went to bed like before.you can try not to let her taken too long nap at the day so she will became sleepy at the right time you want to sleep.

Answer 5

your kid is normal.  most adults don't fall asleep the minute they lay in bed.  i provide my daughter a night light, a cup of water, a sound soother, and the freedom to move around in her room till she falls asleep.  this is NOT a battle to win.