We want our evening back!

[momofjack2cam]

Ok, so we have started the pu/pd.  Although it is nice not having himself scream the whole time until he is asleep it is taking tremendously longer to get him to sleep!! I have completely (I should say WE) have completly given up our evening trying to put him to sleep.  I am starting to second guess this whole thing. At least on our old plan, we got to enjoy some of our evening together and with our older son.  Has anyone else experienced this?  Also, I think this whole pu/pd has made him totally fear his crib! Every time I get close to it now, he holds on to me for dear life!  PLEASE HELP we want our evenings back.

PS: It only took us 3 hrs to get him to sleep tonight! haha

[tmbush00]

My 6mo dd had the same problem, so we had to gradually get her used to her crib again.  First, I would climb in there with her a nights until she was calm and asleep (still took a long time).  Then for the first week I slept on a mattress on the floor.  Just having me there was a big relief for her.  She would wake up every forty minutes or so, and it got to the point where I could just keep lying down and say, "it's okay".  I don't know if anyone else does this, but I also removed the crib bumper pad from the side that faces the doorway so she could see around the room, especially so she could see me from the doorway.  This helped tons.