Go into crack up. Rocking her to sleep.

[4 under 5]

My heads about to explode. My dd is 11mths old. She won't nap unless I rock her. If she wakes as soon as she's put in to the cot I've to start rocking all over again. Here's her routine

7am wake
9.30am nap
10am wake
1.30 nap
2.30 wake
7pm bed

These nap time suits as I've to do two school runs in between. If she sleeps any longer than 2.30pm she will not go to sleep at 7pm.

I've had to rock her to sleep as she clings to me for dear life as if she's afraid of the cot.

I'm expecting baby number 4 in October and can't keep this up or my back will be broke. Can someone please help me out. X

[anna*]

You're going to need to do some sleep training. There will be a lot of crying. At this age you'll just stay with her, sit by the cot until she sleeps. Expect her to skip naps for a few days while she gets used to it.

Can you put her in her cot during A time, play with her in there (posting toys through the slats is a fave for my little girl) so that she gets the idea that it is a nice place to hang out? Make it as nice as possible for her, a special toy, play some soft music, you could spend a few whole mornings just hanging out in the nursery, playing in and around the crib.

If you really can't adjust these times at all, I guess you are stuck. Do you wake her from her 9.30am nap or does she wake herself? She's not getting much daytime sleep for her age.

[4 under 5]

Ah no I can't let her cry. That would break my heart. She's got the flu now too so wondering has that got something to do with it.
She likes playing in her cot so it's not really an issue but ill maybe let her hang out in it a bit more. I wake her at 10am.

[anna*]

Not talking about CIO or CC, but when you change up an 11 month old's going to sleep habits, she's going to protest. Can you start by rocking her til she's drowsy but not asleep and then putting her down and trying to soothe her in her cot? She IS going to cry if you want to stop rocking her! But remember she's not afraid or in pain, just frustrated because she doesn't know how to go to sleep without rocking. It's a gift, to teach her how to put herself to sleep without you, because I'm guessing that in October things are going to ahve to change whether she likes it or not!

[4 under 5]

I have tried putting her down when she's drowsy but as soon as her head hits the mattress her eyes pop open really fast and she's wide awake again.
I actually climbed into the cot today but she thought this was time to chat. Wee monkey. Yes things will have to change in October :'(it's a disaster

[anna*]

I think you're going to ahve to brace yourself for the crying and see through some sleep training. Honestly, I know it is hard but it will be better for you AND for her if she can put herself to sleep. We'll be here to hold your hand and support you through it. Have a think about it - don't start though if you think you won't be able to see it through.

[4 under 5]

I know Anna. Thanks for your help. How to you do it? I'm going away this evening so dh will have to put her to bed but I'd rather be here if we decide to sleep train. Ill leave it for a while but may be forced to do so if she won't sleep

[anna*]

You just stay with her while she figures it out. You can sit on the floor next to the crib and pat the mattress so she knows she needs to lie down - or lie on the floor so she can copy you. Talk to her in a soft voice, reach through into her crib and stroke her hair or pat her back. You can't make her sleep, but you can stay with her while she figures it out. There's no short cuts - she hasn't learned how to go to sleep by herself, and she will protest it. So then after a few days you can move from being right next to the cot to being a few feet away. Then in a couple more days move a bit further away. Before you know it you will be at the door and then you can move outside the door. I know it is hard but really it is a great gift to give her to be able to sleep without having to rely on you to rock her. better to do it now than to be forced to do it when the new baby is here.

[4 under 5]

Thank you Anna. Ill have a think about it for now. Appreciate your help x