My daughter’s night routine.... Need HELP!!!!

[Gabriela Flores]

I have a 4 year old daughter; she is a sweet girl, smart & very talkative, pretty easy to get along with. … however, at night the story is different. Even though we have a well established routine for dinner/bad/bedtime, she is not been able to sleep through the night in her bed, since we moved her out of her crib, ever…and that was 3 YEARS AGO!!!!

So, every night no-matter-what at some point, she will climb down the stairs and get into our bed. We’ve tried everything (closing our door, a gate on the stairs, leaving her lamp on, a side-bed next to ours, carrying her back to her bed –sometimes more that 3 times per night-, sweet talk, no TV/games/candy, etc…)

At this point, we are desperate to recover OUR bed, our intimacy and also we’re worried that she doesn’t sleep thru the night without waking up. This therapist that I know recommended me this educational toy called “I can do it!” (or Reward Chart).

This is a calendar-type of game where you and your child establish activities (like sleep in your own bed thru the night!!), set a goal (i,e: 3 or 5 days) and pick a reward. Then you two will keep track daily by marking with a star each day she accomplishes her activity until she reaches the goal, thus getting the price…

I bought it immediately and I am ready to start this thing with my daughter tonight! Has anyone here experienced the same thing? I bought it at www.learningfromatoz.com

[Lullaby Luna]

At 4 incentives are a good way to go. There is also a alarm that has a sun and a moon and you set the time- they can leave when it turns to the sun. I have to find out what it is called- can't find it right now.

Also, you need to take her back to her room as many times as it takes. My son went through something similar when he was 2 1/2 and I took him back to his room 89 times before he stayed. You need to find a way to give her the tools to soothe herself back to sleep when she wakes during the night- finding you is not an option.

Contact me for more help.

Courtney, mother of 3, sleep consultant, sleep blog writer LullabyLuna.

[Lullaby Luna]

http://www.goodnitelite.com/

[Fleur]

Keep taking her back to bed and not engaging in any conversation or affection. It may take countless times, you may get no sleep at all for the first few nights. don't converse, console, cuddle or kiss. Just be efficient and on auto pilot. Fleur Dietitian Resume

[Hoodia Gordonii]

4 years ago, I got the same problem with my child. I follow one step as like 'lullaby luna' that I presented her a good wrist watch and told her to wake up at right time. She try to follow my words and soon she recover from this within 1 week.

Hoodia Gordonii

[Margaret Snodin]

I found the best way of dealing with a similar problem was to get out of bed and return my daughter to her own bed. Yes there were a few nights where there was very little sleep but it did work. Now she sleeps all night in her own bed.

Magssno

[Dominique Goh]

I too am having trouble making my son sleep. He is currently 2yrs 8mths old and still doesn't sleep through the night. Wakes up every night from 1-3 times.. every time I have to put him back to his bed and make sure he sleeps before leaving the room..It has been exhausting ..any suggestions?

[Sandy Phillips]

I had similar experience with my son when he was 2 years old. He used to wake up in midnight. My wife limited his sleeping time after lunch to 2 hours and after the tea they got engaged in lots of games and so by bed time he will terribly in need of a good sleep and he started sleeping through out the night.
Reducing the sleeping hours in day time can help you I think.

regards,

Sandy Phillips
Feline Kidney Disease

[Rachel Inch]

I have a 3 year old daughter and I am presently using the reward chart - it is going very well, she is pretty pumped about the whole idea. I made the chart, but the ones you buy would be equally effective. Good luck.