moving into own room

[Manueli]

I just wanted to see if anybody has any experience with moving your toddler into their own room after sleeping in the parent's room all the time. We are moving from a one to a three bedroom suite in June and the plan is to have him sleep alone in one of the rooms, but currently he is very aware that I am sleeping with him in the same room cause he even sometimes points to my bed when he has to go to bed, indicating that he wants me to lay down with him. I don't really have a plan so far and was thinking of doing it cold turkey rather than moving out slowly (partly cause I don't have a single mattress I could lay on), but am not sure if he can handle it.

[sianie]

Hi

Do you co-sleep with your LO or does he sleep in his own bed? Also is he an independent sleeper? These will have a bearing on how well he transitions to being in his own room.

You might need to do GW or WI/WO to support this adjustment (see below link)

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=80750.0

Does this help?

[Manueli]

He is an independent sleeper, falls asleep without me in the room, and we don't co-sleep (actually he now prefers his bed to mine). He does wake a lot of nights though at least once. We weaned a feeding prop about 2 months ago and I think he still hopes sometimes he will get some milk, at least he doesn't give up asking for it. This is where he is used to me being in the same room cause he knows I will be there right away when he wakes up (probably a partial prop and I have been reacting too soon) and that I will stay in the room while he falls asleep again during a NW. I have been thinking about doing GW rather than cold turkey because of him being so used to having me in the room during NWs. I was hoping to see if anybody has done it cold turkey cause that would save me having to go out and buying or finding a mattress. But I was pretty sure that most LOs are already in their seperate rooms unless they are co-sleeping.

[sianie]

But I was pretty sure that most LOs are already in their seperate rooms unless they are co-sleeping.

I would think that's the general case.....

You need to do what you feel comfortable with. Could you try GW with a chair rather than mattress....you might find this is the compromise between cold turkey & you actually sleeping in the same room as him. Gradually move the chair towards the door over a few nights so he gets used to you not being there?

[shivi]

I know lots of kids here who literally don't have their own rooms due to the size of flats here. There is one bedroom, a main room/living space etc.

These kids I know go to sleep by themselves in the bedroom shared with their parents and then the parents go later, just like you...

So, in some parts its commonplace NOT to have your own room just due to living habits/styles and space.

Good luck xxx

[Manueli]

Thanks ladies, we are probably moving tomorrow and I think I will just try the cold turkey approach. Our room is right next to his and I am going to leave the doors open to hear him when he wakes. We'll see how he takes it, if badly I will have to do some kind of GW.

[sianie]

Good luck, let us know how you get on!

[Manueli]

Well first night went pretty well but it's hard to say cause he really didn't wake up and slept STTN. I was in his room sitting by his crib while he was falling asleep cause it's a new house, new room and still pretty empty, but he was not too upset. I will try to GW out again now (probably a fast GW after a couple days) and then we'll see how he does the first time he wakes at night. To me it doesn't seem like it's bothering him very much though.

[sianie]

Sounds like a good start...FX for you!