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Author Topic: Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!  (Read 900 times)

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Offline M and N's Mom

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Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!
« on: August 05, 2007, 22:18:02 pm »
DS is 17 mos old, and a totally indep sleeper...in fact I can't help him unless he's sick.

We have been at the cottage for 2 days.  First vacation with the kids since DS was born.  I know it is a new setting and he is probably OS but it took 1h 15mins to get him to sleep last night (one short NW due to OT).  This morning's catnap was in the stroller but then took 1h 15mins to get to sleep for pm nap today.  I had to wake him after 40 mins in order to preserve bedtime  :-[.  He doesn't want me to do anything but be in the room with him.  If I leave he screams bloody murder.  But if I'm there, he keeps standing up in the playpen to check that I'm there.  I don't want him to be scared in this new setting but I think me being there is a distraction since he's not used to it.  Wi/wo works him up but it might be my only option.

I'm afraid he's going down the OT road very quickly but I don't know how to help him.  I can't MAKE him sleep.

Any suggestions from more seasoned travellers?
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Offline Layla

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Re: Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2007, 22:49:41 pm »
I am so sorry things are tough & you are on your 1st vacation :(. I would say do what you can to make him fall asleep. If staying with him makes him wanna play then you might want to try wi/wo (I am pretty sure Stacy did this with Kaleb when they went away).

Try not to worry about it... he'll get back into his routine once you are back home. Try & enjoy your vacation.

Layla :) :-*
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Offline KathyM

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Re: Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2007, 23:21:30 pm »
When we were on vacation last year I had the same problem, I stayed in the room until he fell asleep. He stood up for a while and then starting falling asleep standing up and then finally laid down. The lights were off and I just sat there motionless and did not engage him in anyway except to be there. The next night I was able to stay for just a short time and then he went to sleep on his own after that. HTH and Good Luck!
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Offline Katet

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Re: Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2007, 23:51:10 pm »
Honestly if you are in a strange place he will take a while to get used to it.
I have always made it a rule for us that I stay in the room until my boys get used to the place... I sit where they can see but don't interact...in day because they sleep with curtains open I sit & read a book, at night I have a discman & listen to CD's... I let them play etc until they are ready to sleep, offer cuddles if they get upset & it pretty much has always worked... taken longer than at home, but hey they are in strange surrounds & they need to adjust too.
I don't think WI/WO is a good idea when surrounds are strange & they are OT as they fall asleep from exhaustion & frustration rather than from being "relaxed"... babies (& infact everyone) sleep lots better if they fall asleep relaxed & calm not from an upset state
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Offline rinajack

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Re: Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2007, 23:55:24 pm »
Try WI/PD/WO

I did this with Zara with SA at home, worked quite well.

If he starts to play, leave completely, but return the instant he starts to cry, lay him down, shh him if need be, help him calm down.  Then if he stays laying down, very slowly try to leave the room ie 1 step a minute or whatever, and if he looks for you, just shh him, or say your normal bedtime phrase. If he gets up and is agitated help him settle.  If he gets up and is playing, leave the room again. If you manage to make it out of the room with no tears, then don't return unless he cries again.

This gives the message that you are happy to help him if he needs you, but that you aren't here to play with him at bedtime.

I do agree with katet but with Zara, I know that she can attempt to engage me for several hours even if I am ignoring her LOL, so it really depends on the child.

HTH.  This method I think takes into account that he may feel uncomfortable in his temporary surroundings, but still shows that you mean business....
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Offline M and N's Mom

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Re: Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2007, 19:15:51 pm »
Thanks for the advice everyone.  I guess we'll just muddle through the week.  I ended up falling asleep on the bed in his room for his pm nap today as he just stood and screamed in the playpen when I tried wi/wo.  My concern is not here, we'll do what we have to to make him comfortable, but he is a kid who would love a prop and I don't want me being in the room to become a prop.  Oh well, guess we'll have to do wi/wo at home if he doesn't return to normal when we go home.
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Offline mari

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Re: Help! We're at the cottage and DS won't go to sleep!
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2007, 20:18:45 pm »
When you go home, he will probably go back to normal pretty soon.  I would do walk in walk out telling him that it's ok, we are home now so it's time to go to sleep.

Do what you have to now to enjoy your holiday.  Have a great time.

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