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).
Question hello,
I'm a mother of two, my son is 33-months-old, my daughter is 11-months-old. I've been sharing a bed with her since she was born, I'd like to have some advice how to get her to sleep on her own. She's still nursing, several times a night, too; up until about midnight I usually go in and nurse her lying down and put her back in the crib, but after 3-5 times I'm just so tired I fall asleep with her for the rest of the night. I haven't slept in the same bed with my husband in 11 months and I know he feels left out, and I also know I have to teach the baby to sleep on her own... The problem is that when I tried to let her cry a bit she wakes up my son.
help!!!
Answer Gabi-
thank you for your question. Sounds like you've got a couple of things going at once. At 11 months, she is old enough to go all night without a feeding, let alone more than one. I would make part of her nighttime routine a snack of table food (crackers, fruit, cheese cubes, etc.) and a nursing session before bed. I would start first by helping her settle herself back to sleep without nursing by rubbing her back or belly. You might try introducing a lovie for her to help comfort herself back to sleep. Something like a soft doll or blanket or stuffed animal. Is her crib in the same room as her brother's bed? If not, I would shut his door most of the way when he goes to sleep so that her crying will not wake him. You could try the Ferber Method. That's simply letting her cry for up to 5 minutes the first time, then go in and soothe her without picking her up. You gradually increase the amount of time between her crying and your going in to soothe her until she learns to put herself down without the help.
If her crib is in her brother's room, you might need to move him for awhile until she learns to sleep on her own. Maybe he could sleep on a cot or sleeping bag in your room for a little while. If that won't work, I would work on weaning her from nighttime feedings first and the sleeping through the night should follow. I'm sorry I can't be any further help.
Please feel free to write back or to contact another volunteer on this site. Sweet dreams!
