Hi everyone,
Just wondered if anyone out there has read "Bed Timing" (link here: http://bedtiming.typepad.com/). I saw it reviewed on Moxie and got it out of curiosity - the authors, child psychologists, identify different emotional stages that babies go through and discuss when the best and worst times for night changes are. It reviews the different approaches to sleep, including the more AP ones, and includes pros and cons for all without taking sides.
Anyhow, it's an interesting read and has got me wondering about my own DD, who is 15 months. She's definitely a bit ahead developmentally, and I think is already in one of the big stages of separation anxiety and emotional fragility, which they call the stage of "Social Negotiation," that they identify for 17-21 month olds. They say it's one of the worst periods to introduce any sleep changes. DD has never been a great sleeper and I've been dying to try nightweaning and have her in her own little sleeping place next to ours most of the night, but when ever we've tried to make changes she fights so hard that we back off. We've always told ourselves that we need to follow our instincts, and the book has reaffirmed that for me - I need to respect her boundaries and insecurities.
But now I'm looking ahead and wondering if she might do better when she reaches the next "stage," which they call "social stabilization" and say comes at around 22-27 months. Maybe she will show signs that she is more independent and secure, and hopefully even communicate better so we can explain to her what we'd like.
Any thoughts on this? Experiences with when is the best time to make nighttime changes in the family bed? I'd love to hear others' input!
Thanks,
Angela
Just wondered if anyone out there has read "Bed Timing" (link here: http://bedtiming.typepad.com/). I saw it reviewed on Moxie and got it out of curiosity - the authors, child psychologists, identify different emotional stages that babies go through and discuss when the best and worst times for night changes are. It reviews the different approaches to sleep, including the more AP ones, and includes pros and cons for all without taking sides.
Anyhow, it's an interesting read and has got me wondering about my own DD, who is 15 months. She's definitely a bit ahead developmentally, and I think is already in one of the big stages of separation anxiety and emotional fragility, which they call the stage of "Social Negotiation," that they identify for 17-21 month olds. They say it's one of the worst periods to introduce any sleep changes. DD has never been a great sleeper and I've been dying to try nightweaning and have her in her own little sleeping place next to ours most of the night, but when ever we've tried to make changes she fights so hard that we back off. We've always told ourselves that we need to follow our instincts, and the book has reaffirmed that for me - I need to respect her boundaries and insecurities.
But now I'm looking ahead and wondering if she might do better when she reaches the next "stage," which they call "social stabilization" and say comes at around 22-27 months. Maybe she will show signs that she is more independent and secure, and hopefully even communicate better so we can explain to her what we'd like.
Any thoughts on this? Experiences with when is the best time to make nighttime changes in the family bed? I'd love to hear others' input!
Thanks,
Angela
