Hi....
I have read posts before on issues like the one im having with my son at the moment but cant find them.
Jakob is 13 1/2 months old and for the last 7 months has been pretty wonderful at bedtimes and usually good at naptimes.We have been very lucky in the sleep dept up until now so im grateful
He didnt crawl until he turned 1 and only started pulling himself up on furniture 2 weeks ago.He has taken his time to do these things which has its upside HOWEVER now he can stand up he wont lay down or stay laying down for naps or bedtime!! He isnt crying intially but playing and throwing everything out of his cot. He will in the end start screaming out.
Ive tried pulling the covers tight but he can manage to get out no matter what! I have just spent 50 mins getting him to sleep tonight. i followed our usual routine at bedtime....bath ,bottle,wind down,bed. I kissed him,put on his musical and left.No sooner had i got out his room and he was up rattling the cot. I went in,lay him down, said "its bedtime" tucked him back in and left again.This continued for 30 mins.....me going in and repeating this over and over.He ripped his fav animal pictures off the wall and laughed himself silly when i walked in.GRRRR...that was part of his bedtime ritual saying goodnight to those animals...GREAT!!!!!!
By this stage im over it.I wasnt getting past his doorway before i had to turn around again and lay him down etc.So this final time i tucked him back in and sat down on the bed beside his cot.I held him down (just gentle but enough to stop him getting up) I didnt look at him or talk to him, i simply kept my hand on him until he stopped resisting.Then i removed it and stayed next to him,still not looking.When he went to move i gently placed my hand back.EVENTUALLY he gave it up and went to sleep.But what a mission and im not thrilled at the prospect of this every night.
Okay my questions then;
Have i done the right thing tonight or have i used AP by staying in the room and holding him down?
Do i continue doing what i did or do you leave them to it if they arent unhappy or crying?
Can anyone help me with ideas or tips on what to do?
ALSO;
Jakob has always been one who needed to be tucked in with blankets to sleep.He has always hated going to sleep with no covers. So now he gets out of his covers and of course cant just play a while,get sleepy and then tuck himself back in....nor will he play a bit then just lay down as he is and go to sleep.
What do I or can i do?? Sorry for the long rant but i wanted to be detailed on whats going on so hopefully someone has some tips!
Thank you
Kirsty
ps..here is his routine
7-7.30 awake, bottle
8.30 breakfast
10-10,30 nap or 10.30-11 nap (depending on wake up time)Have changed this to a catnap as he has been waking lots at night and he used to sleep up to 1 1/2 hours at this 1st nap.
11.30 lunch
2pm until 3pm nap (usually sleeps 45 mins only at daycare but longer at home)
5pm dinner
5.30 bath
6.30 bottle and wind down
7pm bed