AboutHolly Cihla Expertise I am a mother of two girls, ages 2 years and 8 years. I have worked with children of varying abilities and ages for over sixteen years and am currently teaching junior high special education. I can answer questions on infant feedings, sleeping habits, play, developmental milestones and behavior and issues with school age children that include school, learning, behavior and home issues. I can also help you with wheat and gluten allergy diets as my youngest has a wheat allergy.
I CANNOT answer medical diagnosis questions, or things of that nature. If it is a medical issue, or you are just not sure, I always suggest checking in with a pediatrician.
Experience Experience in the area: I am a mother of a 2 year old daughter and an 8 year old daughter. I have worked with children of all ages for the last sixteen years in various forms. I have worked in the day care setting, as a nanny, at summer camps, and as a liason for families with children that have neuromuscular disease. I am currently a special education teacher that specializes in learning disabilities and minor behavior disorders. Organizations: I am a member of Kappa Delta Pi. I volunteer with the Children's Miracle Network and Children's Hospital. Education/Credentials: I have a bachelor's degree in special education and have been trained in the PBIS Behavior Method (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies).
Expert: Holly Cihla Date: 7/19/2008 Subject: 29 month old won't go to bed without a fight
Question My daughter has always been a good sleeper. At 3 months she started sleeping through the night. We put her to bed awake and she will just talk and play for a while until she falls asleep. The same goes for the morning when she wakes up. I thought that we were so lucky to have such a good and happy sleeper. We were just about to convert her crib to a toddler bed and all of a sudden she won't go to bed without a fight. Our routine is the same, but now when we put her down she screams like crazy. The first couple nights we went back in and tried rubbing her back and soothing her which calmed her at the time, but she immediatly started screaming again when we leave, so we have had to let her cry it out. She is VERY stubborn and she has been screaming for atleast 5 to 10 minutes, somethimes more. I don't know what to do now, because if we give her the freedom of her toddler bed I am scared that she will just keep getting up and actually out of bed. Her 5 month old brother is right across the hallway and I don't want her to wake him up acting crazy. What can I do to get her back to her good sleeping habits, and should we wait to give her the freedom of a toddler bed, or do you think that the freedom might help.
Answer Stephanie-
thank you for the question. It's hard to say when a child is ready for the next bed. I put my youngest in a toddler bed at a year, but that was because she was pretty big for her age and my back hurt lifting her in and out of a crib. She has difficulty going to sleep and I actually put a baby gate in her doorway. I put her to bed and give her three tries to stay there and if she comes out the third time, the gate goes up. Sometimes she cries, sometimes she doesn't. It never really lasts for long.
You could continue the Ferber Method and shut your son's door so that the tears won't wake him. You can always open his door back up once she goes to sleep.
If you got her a toddler bed, I would make a big deal out of it. Get her special sheets, like a Dora set if she's into Dora. Really talk up how special she is for being able to sleep in a big bed like mommy and daddy and what a big girl she is. This might help with getting her down.
It could also be a phase, and you just have to ride it out. That's the worst part, riding it out. Whatever you do, keep the nighttime routine the same. The change in bed, if that's what you choose to do, will be a big enough change, and she'll need the rest to be consistent.
I am sorry I cannot be more help. Please feel free to write back or contact another volunteer for more help. I wish everyone sweet dreams!
