Author Topic: Starting bedtime story  (Read 1085 times)

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Offline klt

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Starting bedtime story
« on: August 24, 2005, 17:44:04 pm »
We started pu/pd with our lo properly (not just half heartedly!) a week ago and by day 3 she was putting herself to sleep from awake every nap and bedtime within 2 to 20 mins so that is great (fingers crossed....!)  Our bedtime ritual is me giving bath, milk, cuddle, lullaby and to bed.  DH is wanting to incorporate a bedtime story into the routine and we are wondering how best to do it without upsetting the whole wind down thing.

Should he read to her at cuddle time or once she is in bed already? (He usually gets home during her bathtime.)  Do you think she will need me to come in again afterwards and do lullaby etc?  Or if we are both hanging around might it wake her up again?   Or should we wait till she is older?  So many questions!  She is textbook/spirited if that makes a difference!  Thanks for any advice.....

Offline Bryony's mum

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Starting bedtime story
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2005, 19:58:37 pm »
I started reading a bedtime story just after 6 months with Bryony, and by a year she enjoyed much longer stories and could have books with paper pages without trying to eat them!  Ben is ten months and is lucky at the moment to get one very quick story a week!  :roll:   I want to make more effort because Bryony really loves her books.

I did Bryony's story during cuddle time, then i would pop her into bed and kiss her goodnight and go.  Looking at your routine, it looks like that would work well.  My advice would be to start with a really short story and to read it very calmly and quietly.  you can read the same one for several days just so she gets used to it, and if she starts fussing while you're partway through, just leave it and go on to lullaby.  that's how I do things with Ben.

As for coming back in after the story - don't know!  I always did Bryony's bedtime until about a year, then dh started doing alternate nights, coming in to read the story and put her to bed after I'd fed her.  Now dh deals with bryony while I put Ben to bed, and although I know that we'll have to deal with it sometime soon, I'm dreading dh putting Ben to bed - it will probably take some time (and tears  :shock: ) for Ben to adjust. 

Sorry to ramble - hth!
Alisa

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lil'monkey

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Starting bedtime story
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2005, 02:04:41 am »
Try "Goodnight Moon".  It's a classic and dd loves it.  I would point at the pictures as I read.  Now after 6 mos of reading it to her, she would sometimes point at the pictures herself.  We do bath, bottle, swaddle, book and bed.  If dh wants to help, let him do alternate nights to give you a break.

Offline kate585

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Starting bedtime story
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2005, 02:14:46 am »
We read "Pajama Time" by Sandra Boynton every night.  It is really fast and cute.  If ds is in the mood, we'll read one or two more.  Then, it's right into bed to say our prayers.  (We have a cute little bear that says, "Now I lay me down to sleep...")  It's good to read the same book every night so your lo will know what to expect.  (Just like having the same routine every night).  Make sure you pick one you won't be sick of reading every night for a few years, though!  :D
Kate,


Offline klt

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Starting bedtime story
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2005, 11:00:02 am »
Thanks for all the advice! I have sent off for those two books so we are looking forward to starting that when they arrive.....