Cry it out method with toddler

[wingingit987]

I am desperate to get my 2.5 yr old to go to sleep on his own currently I need to sit on the floor
Until he goes to bed.

My partner works nights im hugely pregnant I just need to be able to leave him.

I've been trying cry it out but is making it worse.

Please help.

@Throwaway999

I do the same with my 2.3 year old abs trying to stop as I find if he wakes at night, which he often does, he then wants me to do it again... and again... and again!!! So last night I was lying on his floor at 10pm, 2am and 4am!!! I even have a sleeping bag and pillow there now!!!!!

PS I wouldn't bother with potty training unless your eldest is quite old and mature, else you may find it goes backwards when baby arrives and you will be tearing your hair out. Take it easy!

Have you considered a yoto box type thing? Maybe it could coincide with moving into his new ‘big boy’ room... after story with mum he gets to pick a yoto story (they also do relaxing bedtime meditation type things) and listen to it whilst he falls asleep and you leave the room. Works well for us! We did a lot of groundwork before we got it about how exciting it was for him to pick and listen to a story of his choice - he practically sends us out the room now!

If potty training isn't coming easily I'd leave that for now - it can disrupt sleep in and of itself and also a half/not quite potty trained child takes loads more attention and energy than changing nappies so it might make it harder to manage with the new baby not easier.

For the sleep I would wait until he moves room but then try to never establish the habit of you sitting in with him in his new room, but come every time he shouts, even if that means literally just walking in and out constantly for a few nights. I agree with MRex that you can talk to him about it at his age and you can do it in the lead up to him moving rooms - it might even be worth getting a book about going to sleep (there are loads of these, it's a common problem!) as a way of talking about it.

I am amazed by all these posters who still sit with their children until they fall asleep.

You're already struggling OP, it's not going to get any easier when the baby is born! You need to solve sleep issues before, not after your child gets a sibling. The worst thing would be to resort to sudden sleep training shortly after the baby is born. I would approach this issue now, this evening, by putting him to bed after his usual routine, explain that you are leaving the room now because you need a rest on the sofa/a shower/wash the dishes, whatever it is you are going to do. Then go back in every 5 minutes and repeat what you said, give him a cuddle and a kiss. Do this over and over until he falls asleep. It will work within a few nights and is much less stressful for everyone involved. You are doing your child a favour by teaching him to settle on his own and that there is nothing to be afraid of, mummy is still here and available even if she isn't sitting in with me.

As someone who spent far too long sitting on the floor beside the cot and bed I am clearly no expert here but what worked for DS1 did not work for DS2 so my conclusion is that there is no single right way. At 2 and a half a child should be old enough to understand that it is sleep time and you need to leave now but will check back soon. I also learned to read the last story with a slow, low voice which seemed to help. Nothing lively or loud.
Potty training - leave it for now. DS1 trained quite easily at 2 years 3 months. DS2 was one week past 3. Fortunately nursery were excellent and told me it would be soon and probably very easy at that age and they were right. He literally said one week after turning 3 ‘no more nappies mummy’ and that was that. His only accident was when he didn’t get his pants down far enough at nursery when on the loo, he didn’t have a single accident as such.