Hi Katherine, I just wanted to give an update, as I see quite a few other people have also read this post and must be having the same problems. I have to totally agree that the main problem is that my baby (ahum .. Toddler!) has hardly ever fallen asleep by himself. There have been ups and downs and there have been times I was able to put him down sleepy but awake and he fell asleep by himself, but those days were rare and long gone. He is very used to falling alseep with me there and preferably on the boob, although the past weeks he would feed until nearly asleep, then roll himself around and fall asleep cuddled into me (lovely times for mummy!!). Unfortunately this needed changing, as it resulted in many NW and EW. I also agree with your observation that we are very much in the middle (possibly nearing the end) of the 2-1 transition. Generally he makes it through the day with 1 longer nap now (from about 10-11 am for 2 hour nap), although he may still wake up in the middle of that nap and I need to settle him - I hope that with our night progress that will befome better too. Today was even the first time he has taken a 2 hour nap at nursery - where before it would usually just be two 40-70 min naps (maybe because of our night progress, maybe just coincidence ... who knows) So, what did we do ...
We have moved house recently and I did up his room real nice, with a fabulous wall sticker that he loves. There is very little in his room and we just played in it (it's completely baby proof) for a day or two. I bought him a toddler mattress and put it in the corner, on the floor. Yes, just on the floor - I'm making him a floor bed, but couldn't wait for that to be finished and wanted to move him. And he cannot climb into ambed yet, and I certainly did not want to risk him falling out of a bed. I did not want to put him in the old cot we used before starting co-sleeping because he has only ever screamed in it, he tries to climb out and he was used to the 'open bed' (our bed), rather then being barred in. I really think it did the trick. I have been feeding him on his little mattress on the floor, as I normally would do, but then he's been too excited to stay in his bed after the feed. We would read a book on his mattress and he'd crawl around some more. I then just put him on his mattress and give him cuddles and kisses and leave the room (all of this takes about 15-30 minutes). He scReamed for about 2 minutes and then it just stopped. He just crawled back onto his mattress and went to sleep. Imthought maybe it was just luck, but he did it again this evening, with only 30 seconds of screaming. He also woke only once during the night (I did not give him boob), and I just went in to reassure him and kiss him good night. I feel like when Imstay, I just make it worse, the screaming just got louder, but when I left, he'd settle within minutes of me leaving.he woke up 5.45am, which is about as late as ever and he just dozed for an extra 15 minutes on his mattress befor estarting chatting to himself (then i went in to give him a good feed).
I see him on my baby video monitor (that does give me peace of mind he is actually in his bed and not just somewhere in the middle of the room) sleeping now. Again he went to sleep, by himself super easy. I just hope the night will improve too. The 'method' (for those who are interested) I try to follow in general is the Montessori philosophy, by Maria Montessori - that's where the floor bed idea comes from. I also have (only a few) of his toys within reach and a couple of books in his room (plus his dresser which is locked).
Ok I hope that helps some other desperately tired mummy's out there. It may be worth a try. I'll,update this post in another week or so, to let you all know how progress have been.
