So far, so good..... but a few questions too please!?

Question

so lastnight i took my daughters bedtime bottle away. i was dreading bedtime. so it was dinner at 6pm, bath at 6.15, PJ's at 6.30. she started rubbing her eyes and yawning at 6.45, so i said the whole 'its bedtime baby, night night, mummy loves you etc' kiss and cuddle then into bed and put her lullaby light on.

i came into the living room, started tidying toys, she started crying, i went in lay her down again, calmed her then back out. then she cried again, and i done the same thing. i stood by her cot, and she was falling asleep and kept peeking to see if i was still there. she glanced about 4 times then her eyes started closing.

last night from the time i lay her down, till she fell asleep was 15min, tonight, it was 10min - so im really proud of her.

so my questions are:

how do i make her feel secure without having to stand by the cot - its NOT a problem, but obviously i want her to learn to go to bed and go to sleep without me being there.

the lullaby light is obviously a comforter as well, how do i withdraw that?

obviously, im not looking to do these things right away, as i know she is only learning her new routine, so im not in a hurry.

thanks!

Answer 1

She will get used to it.  My husband and I took our son's nighttime nursing away about a month and 1/2 ago.  It took about 3 nights before he learned not to expect it, and it took about a week altogether  before he felt comfortable in his new nighttime routine.  I did learn though, that he needed some cuddling before bed.  I couldn't just go from the nighttime nursing to putting him down, saying night night and leaving.  So now after bath and jammies, I rock with him (I pray and sing him a song).  Then I put him in his bed, give him his blanket, say night night and leave.  

Just keep doing what you're doing, stick to it and she'll get used to it!!  It sounds like she's already doing really well!  

Answer 2

I think that you are doing fine.  Every child is a little different.  She seems to be improving each night and learning to adjust and comfort herself.  I see no reason to be in a hurry to get rid of the lullaby light.  It looks like you will make the right judgment when the time comes.  

Answer 3

sounds like she is at an age that she will understand if the hovering over her crib becomes bedtime story.try to read her a story in her routine instead of standing there.she will wind down with the story.

Answer 4

Don't worry about the light for now. My 17 month old still uses a security blanket, prayer bear, AND a few other security items and in a few months when we get our own place again..I will set up his radio again(had it since birth) and also BOTH of his night lights..I am in NO hurry at all to take those away from him...He was weaned from the bottle at 11 months and passy at the same time..and I am not going to take the things that comfort him until he is ready to give them up...As long as she is happy and healthy with those things..Don't take them away until she is ready...

Answer 5

When we did this with my son I started sitting on the landing just outside of the door on a chair and if he started to moan, I'd just say, "It's OK sweetie, just bed time." You can start with the chair next to her cot and gradually move it away. She sounds like she's doing really great.

PS. I'm out of the loop now with Eastenders and Corrie because I'd get filled in at work and I'm on maternity leave at the mo. LOL

Answer 6

you are doing great, as soon as mine starts rubbing her eyes i know its time, and 9 times out of ten she goes straight to sleep, however she is teething at mo, which is causing her to be a bit grumpy, but who can blame her, poor little thing

p.s your daugher is beautiful x x all the best x x