18 month old hideous bedtimes

[bakewellbride]

My 18 month old has been an absolute nightmare to get down in her cot at night for about 4 months now. I'm not after advice or anything, just a listening ear. I'm just on my knees with her right now. Last night was awful and I ended up in floods of tears.

I spend what feels like a lifetime rocking her in the rocking chair. She hits me, she yanks my hair and sometimes rips it out. I tell her no, I put her down, I pick her up, I Rick her and so the cycle continues. On average for an hour. I just hate it so much and always dread this time of day.

As much as I feel guilty wishing time away I just wish she would be older and go to bed like a normal kid! Her older brother just goes 'night mummy I love you' and I long for it to be the same with dd.

Anyone? I'm on my knees here

Our DD did that at an earlier stage, maybe 9-10 months? Grabbing at the back of my hair and pulling, yanking at my partner’s neck chain… We got so frustrated we started simply putting her in the cot and settling her from there by stroking her back. She didn’t like it at first but ultimately we wouldn’t accept the hair pulling and pain so there was no other alternative but to put her in the cot!

She stopped within a matter of weeks. She’s now nearly 17 months and doesn’t even attempt it anymore. We’re back to rocking and cuddling peacefully.

I think it’ll help if you reframe it as something you’re unwilling to accept. You can’t put her on the floor, or stop bedtime - your only choice is to put her in the cot and she’ll have to learn!