Ok - reassurance needed that my DS won't hate me if I leave him to cry at bedtimes?

[ceebee74]

Am feeling guilty this morning as DS (18 mo) has suddenly started to hate going into his cot and cries when we try and put him in it. Last night at bedtime after several attempts of letting him fall asleep on our bed, and despite him appearing to be in a very deep sleep, the minute I picked him up and got to his room, his eyes popped open and he started crying - I got quite frustrated so in the end I just placed him in the cot, said goodnight and left him to cry (we had had exactly the same experience the night before but at about 4 o'clock am!) - he was asleep after about 5 minutes and didn't disturb us at all for the rest of the night.

Now obviously this is a result - but I still feel that he will hate me for doing this to him

[pulapula]

I am sure we used to do this with DD when she just wouldn't settle with us in the room with her. 5 mins is nothing, but if it ends up longer, maybe you just need to go in and say 'its just sleeptime' etc and leave.

[ceebee74]

Pula - thanks for your reassurance.

Anyone else any advice?

[Seona1973]

If it was only 5 minutes then that doesnt even count as being left to cry/controlled crying. Sometimes they need to have a wee cry before sleep. My lo's sometimes cry a little before sleep but as long as it is not a cry that persists or gets louder then I let them get on with it - I dont leave them for ages and if I need to go back in they get a quick cuddle and then laid back down again.