Should we just put her back in our bed?

Question

For the last few weeks, we have been trying to wean our 16 month old to the crib for her naps. This is only temporary until we can buy her a bed by the end of September. Since we have stopped letting her sleep in our bed for nap times, she has gone from 2-3 hour naps to 30-45 minute naps, an hour to an hour and 15 minutes if we're lucky, which is very rare.

Her schedule is as follows: 6:30am wakeup (her choice), noon nap, 8:30pm bed.

Because of her lack of sleep, she is always extremely cranky by 5pm and we can't handle the constant screaming for 3 hours until bed. Sometimes, we put her down for a quick 15 minute nap, which ends up making her more miserable, other times, we just deal with it. She has been in her crib at night for 10 months now.

When she was having her 2-3 hour naps, she was such a happy baby, never cranky, etc. We'd like that little girl back.

We know that she's not getting enough sleep because of this. We've even tried white noise and darkening her room to no avail.

Should we just regress and let her nap in our bed until we can get her a bed, or should we keep trying to work with her and getting her to sleep longer in the crib for naps?

We've been at it for more than 3 months now.

What do you think? Until we get her bed, should we let her sleep in our bed again for nap time, or just deal with the cranky baby?

Answer 1

Let her sleep  in your bed! If she sleeps in her crib at night, then she is at least somewhat independent. My boys (2 and 4) sleep in their own beds at night, but can nap just about anywhere they want to, as long as they're quiet. Don't drive yourself crazy. A cranky toddler for three months is much worse than taking a nap in your bed.

Answer 2

Hi Mom, My daughter's boy is due December 5th, so another lovely Sagittarius for the world (my daughter, her husband, and my husband are all Sag!).

Okay, first of all, what I hear is that you've already done such terrific things for your little one. It sound like she's consistently slept in her crib during the night - something to pat yourselves on the back for! and no small feat these days. Things started to wobble when you shifted her napping "space." Since the biggest "battle" (already won) is nighttime sleep freedom for you and dad, and she  otherwise peaceably takes long, restful naps on your bed, I agree with your intuitive conclusion to let her be.

Second, regardless, September will bring yet another transition when her own bed arrives. You won't be "regressing," as much as respecting the developmental needs of your toddler. I find parents often have the own answers (though, it's nice to run ideas by those who've walked the road before!). I offer my December congratulations for a healthy labor, delivery and birth.

Also, bear in mind it's teething time. Take care, and love everyone up.

Answer 3

My 10 year old son and 6 year old daughter still curl up in my bed to take naps when they are tired.  It's their comfor zone, if you can call it that.  First off, it's probably way more comforatable that the crib for her. Second, it smells like you and your husband.  It's fine, let her take naps in your bed.  It won't hurt anything.    

Answer 4

Im a sag too.........november 26th

Anyways, I would put her back in my bed. I can't stand it when the kids cry or our cranky so i kinda give in on things like that.

But then again I have an 8 year old and a 2 year old who still sleep in my room. LOL