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Original poster

I'm going to try and teach 2yo dd to fall asleep on her own!

46 replies

motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 11:31

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. Confused

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? Confused
I'm hoping it won't be too traumatic for either of us! :)

OP posts:
Teachercreature · 25/03/2013 12:43

Plan sounds fine to me! Rapid return can take many returns but hang in there, and good luck! Smile

mamij · 25/03/2013 12:56

Nothing to add I'm afraid, but watching with interest. DD2 has always slept with me, but want to move her in with DD1 at the end of the year when they will be 4 and 2. So will be happy to steal some tricks/ideas!

Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 13:01

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! Shock 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'?

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 13:02

Teacher - thanks for the reassurance! I'm pretty sure bed time will be many, many, many returns....

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BedHanger · 25/03/2013 13:05

Following with interest as our 2.5yo DS currently insists on someone lying down with him till he falls asleep. Shock

Teachercreature · 25/03/2013 14:36

Great start motherofvikings, that bodes well! But a quiet lie down is still an excellent plan just in case Smile

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 Smile

Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 19:44

Hmmm
Dh hasn't managed to leave her yet as she won't lie down and keeps crying. :(

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Teachercreature · 25/03/2013 19:47

Hang in there mother. The first night is always the worst!

Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 20:24

Urg. Rapid rerun isn't really happening as she screams as soon as you as her to lie down.

Have adapted now to try and nip out while she's calm on some pretence or other and then go back when she gets agitated.

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 20:34

Hmm. She's now not melting down when I leave but is NOT keen on lying down.

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BranchingOut · 25/03/2013 20:38

Personally, I found gradual retreat better, combined with moving to a bed and using a lullaby CD to ease the transition.

Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 20:40

She is now lying in bed, moaning but not screaming in a grouchy rather than upset way iyswim.
I might try reducing the light level a bit as she doesn't like total dark at all so have landing light on but that's c bright.

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 20:53

She's now jabbering away to herself. Not upset, but not exactly sleep either...

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 20:59

Just done a nappy change as she had a wee and wasn't happy with being wet Hmm

She did lie down tho. :)
She's still jabbering away tho, more mmmm than mummy mummy...

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 21:01

Just done a nappy change as she had a wee and wasn't happy with being wet Hmm

She did lie down tho. :)
She's still jabbering away tho, more mmmm than mummy mummy...

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 21:13

She's asleep! Grin

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!

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Teachercreature · 25/03/2013 21:22

Yay to the lying down! Have my fingers crossed...

Teachercreature · 25/03/2013 21:22

Oh crossed posts - wonderful that she's asleep! Wishing you all a good night's sleep Smile

Original poster
motherofvikings · 25/03/2013 21:30

Thanks teacher! :)
I'm knackered! I was tired before (after a busy weekend away) but after all that I am spent!

Am hoping tomorrow nap time and bed time will be a little easier .....

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mamij · 26/03/2013 09:49

Well done OP!

Hope you got a good nights sleep yourself and she didn't wake up too early this morning!

Original poster
motherofvikings · 26/03/2013 11:21

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 Hmm

Round 2 for nap time today... Confused

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 26/03/2013 13:13

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. Hmm

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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Teachercreature · 26/03/2013 13:17

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! Smile I was sooooo happy when my DD finally learned!

Original poster
motherofvikings · 26/03/2013 13:23

Still bouncing off the walls - literally!

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Original poster
motherofvikings · 26/03/2013 13:30

She's asleep! Grin

Going to creep in to put the duvet on her...

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