How do you teach them to put themselves to sleep without crawling off bed?!

[RileysMom29]

Hi all! I am new here. My name is Farrah and I am the Mommy to a beautiful 13 month old named Riley. He is my life. I am still breastfeeding and he has slept in our bed since birth. My concern is, that he goes to daycare 3 days a week and is transitioning into the toddler room, where he'll have to put himself to sleep. I always nurse him to sleep at night or we walk him. I know teaching him to put himself to sleep will be best for everyone, I just don't know how to do that with the family bed. I am worried that he'll just keep trying to crawl off the bed. How in the world do you make them stay put and put themselves to sleep. It makes sense with a crib, ovbviously they can't go anywhere, but how do you do it with the family bed? Thanks all for any advice you can offer!

[Shanny2032]

Anxiously awaiting some good advice as I need to start the process with my 12 month old as well. If I tried to walk out while she is awake now she would go crazy and walk out to come find me unless I closed the door tightly which of course is just mean. I have the no cry sleep solution and will look in there for some clues too. I thought she would be a little older and able to understand better when I needed to do this but she goes to work with me and until now has slept in a car seat that swings. She is not sleeping well in there anymore so I am thinking we might as well make the change but I don't want to use a pack and play.

[tpintsch]

I wouldn't worry about teaching him to put himself to sleep. With my DS (granted every child is different) but because daycare was such a different experience and I wasn't there, he followed along with what all the other toddlers where doing. He just layed down with them and fell asleep with no problems. I continued to put DS to sleep by nursing him when I was home. I think they understand that a different place means different expectations. I've heard that most children's daycare nap experiences are the same. If you feel like you have to get him used to falling asleep on his own, I would put the mattress on the floor, or use a different room with a small mattress on the floor so that if he does crawl of he won't hurt himself; but if he is anything like my DD he won't stay put. Hang in there, it won't take him long to get used to his new environment.

[alegna]

I would find out more about the sleep expectations at daycare. When I worked in preschools we still helped the 3-4yr olds go to sleep with music and rubbing and patting backs. I would not find it acceptable if they truly do nothing to help put toddlers to sleep.

-Angela

[RileysMom29]

Thank you all so much! I have spoken with daycare and they have assured me they will help him with transition (rubbing his back, etc). I just want to make it as comfortable as possible for my little one. I'll keep you all updated and let you know how it goes. It would be wonderful if he followed the lead of the other toddlers!! We'll see!!

[annekevdbroek]

Originally Posted by tpintsch

I wouldn't worry about teaching him to put himself to sleep. With my DS (granted every child is different) but because daycare was such a different experience and I wasn't there, he followed along with what all the other toddlers where doing. He just layed down with them and fell asleep with no problems. I continued to put DS to sleep by nursing him when I was home. I think they understand that a different place means different expectations. I've heard that most children's daycare nap experiences are the same. If you feel like you have to get him used to falling asleep on his own, I would put the mattress on the floor, or use a different room with a small mattress on the floor so that if he does crawl of he won't hurt himself; but if he is anything like my DD he won't stay put. Hang in there, it won't take him long to get used to his new environment.

This was also my experience. My older son fought going to sleep at home - still does. At daycare he'd just lay down when everyone else did and go right to sleep. I know at the places he attended they were good about letting sleepless kids come do quiet play or sitting and rubbing their backs, or whatever they needed.

[Maluhia]

ditto the previous posters - DD will go to sleep for them there much different than at home, I would not worry a bit about teaching him