Dd is almost 2yo and so far has been cuddled to sleep. She goes down within 5 mins of this for a nap but at bedtime it can take 40 minutes or more. She is so getting too big to fit comfortably with me in the chair.
So I've decided it's time to teach her to fall asleep on her own. 
I have given her a pillow - because she is a big girl.
I have taken the chair out of her room - so it's no longer an option.
I've talked to her about what we will do at nap time and got ds (4yo) to big her up about sleeping too as she idolises him and she is desperate to do everything the big kids do! :)
So, the plan is to do usual nap/ bedtime routine and then instead of sitting in the chair for a cuddle we will have brief cuddle then I'm going to lie her down, say night night and go.
She will leap out of bed (I'm sure) so I'm going to try rapid return.
Does that sound ok?
I'm hoping it won't be too traumatic for either of us! :)
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I'm going to try and teach 2yo dd to fall asleep on her own!
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 11:31
Plan sounds fine to me! Rapid return can take many returns but hang in there, and good luck! 
Well nap time was surprising!
We sat down to read the standard 4 stories as usual and I explained what we would do etc etc.
Dd dropped off during the 3rd story! 
She hasn't done that for months!
So I took off her slippers, which woke her a bit, carried her upstairs and popped her into bed. She opened her eyes again, then rolled over and fell asleep!
Not exactly what I had in mind. But maybe a gentle introduction to 'big girl sleeps'?
Following with interest as our 2.5yo DS currently insists on someone lying down with him till he falls asleep.
Great start motherofvikings, that bodes well! But a quiet lie down is still an excellent plan just in case
Had to do a lot of work with my own DD as a littlun and even now (at 7 and a half) she can find it hard to wind down so we've tried many tricks over the years. She currently has relaxing music on a CD player which helps. The best thing though is that your DD is at an age where you are able to explain to her - we found that made all the difference.
Rapid return can work wonders too - saw a programme where some poor family hadn't had a night's sleep in about six years, and RR sorted it in only three nights. Also I have a friend who geared up for a difficult transition, only to find their little one immediately rolled over and went to sleep without a single squeak! Shall keep my fingers crossed for you
Just done a nappy change as she had a wee and wasn't happy with being wet 
She did lie down tho. :)
She's still jabbering away tho, more mmmm than mummy mummy...
Just done a nappy change as she had a wee and wasn't happy with being wet
She did lie down tho. :)
She's still jabbering away tho, more mmmm than mummy mummy...
She's asleep! 
She went quiet at 9 and I just went in and she's asleep.
Not too awful for a first attempt I guess. She seemed much bette once she knew (and i had demonstrated) that I would come back if she was upset.
I'm ready for bed now!
Oh crossed posts - wonderful that she's asleep! Wishing you all a good night's sleep
Thanks! :)
She woke/ stirred loudly at 4.30 as she had kicked the duvet off - due to falling asleep in an odd position. She only needed a shh and a pat and she settled herself quickly. She slept till 7 which is v late for her but got woken up by dh's phone
Round 2 for nap time today...
Urg, she's wired!
As soon as we got to the bedroom she got all hyper.
So an improvement from not being able to lie her down without screaming but now she's yoyo-ing in and out of bed and exploring her room.
Nap times were a breeze cuddling to sleep as it only took 5 mins and then she would sleep and I could do stuff but today is not going to be like that. I will persevere with doing nap and be times the same tho! :)
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Definitely an improvement - and just think how lovely it will be when she can settle herself with you doing nothing - short term pain, long term gain! I was sooooo happy when my DD finally learned!
She's asleep!
Going to creep in to put the duvet on her...
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