My 10month old will only sleep in my bed!! Help

[MummySara]

I was wondering if anyone can give advice. I have moved homes 3 times since my son was born, his night naps have always been bad, he will wake up 2-3 times at night. Now, my routine is I have to sit with him for 2 hours until he falls asleep in his cot and he will scream around 3am and the only thing that seems to work is to put him in the bed with me, and he is out as soon as his head hits the pillow! Sometimes I give in just to get a full nights sleep and put him to sleep with me, if I do than its a guaranteed 10-12hour nap!! How do I break this cycle. Especially as I am job hunting and looking to get back into work.

I'm pretty sure you know the answer already. You have just got to make the rule that he will not sleep in your bed anymore, at all. Mean it and stick to your rule without exception. Deal with the consequences and once he has accepted that he can only sleep in his cot and no matter how much he kicks up a fuss he will not get to sleep with Mummy, then he will be much easier to put into his cot.

If you let him into your bed on the nights you are tired or can't deal with the battle, then the problem will continue.

So you have to be firm. He will cry. A lot. A very lot. That doesn't mean you have to leave him to cry, you can be there will him reassuring him. But don't give up and bring him to your room.

Get yourself some support for a week or so, so that you can have a nap to catch up on your sleep in the daytime. You'll need it if you are going to be able to cope with the nighttimes. But if you stick to your rules, you will get there.

How well do you sleep with him in your bed? I'd rather have my child in my bed and get a decent night's sleep.

@Fatedestiny: My sons cot is beside my bed, I do let him cry but my husband feels sorry for him and picks him up and brings him into the bed, with excuses such as he is cold, he is scared, all this crying is not good for him. It comes down to do I want to get a night sleep or not. I have the same problem during his daytime naps, he only sleeps on my bed but I have to be beside him or he does not naps. He even holds onto me to ensure I do not leave his side. It is exhausting! I thought this was all normal until my mum said I was crazy to put up with these patterns. I have let him cry, but my neighbours called the police stating they have been hearing a lady screaming!! The police were understanding, but it has made me conscious that my husband has to get up in the mornings and so do my neighbours.

@Pico, It has its ups and downs. Baby sleeps in the middle. I have a better night sleep if the baby sleeps in the bed, but it also comes at a cost as its impacting our sex life.

You could try re-introducing a swaddle blanket for warmth and security.