I think I've figured out why my little guy freaks out around bedtime now. Since I decided to wean him from his pacifier at bedtime, he nows screams for about an hour before eventually falling asleep. I don't like it but I'm trying to get him away from it.
Last night I decided to test a theory. Instead of fighting him around this pacifier, I eased him into bedtime as I always do. We had dinner, we played, we watched Elmo for 30 minutes (that's all he gets) and then we got into bed with the lights down low, music playing softly. He kept figetting but I knew he was sleepy. He asked for his "fasfier" and I let him have it for 5 minutes. Next thing I knew, he was knocked out.
He woke up this morning well-rested and upbeat. He always wakes up with a smile but this smile was different. It's the kind of smile you have after ag ood night's rest.
I think the problem I am having is that I can't force the weaning on him. He goes all day without it at daycare and there's no issue but he knows when he gets home, he can have it. I don't give it to him. If he absolutely can't go to sleep, then I will give it to him for a few minutes. So far, this has been working out for me.
I know his dad doesn't think he should have it and will keep it from him. Thus, my son ends up screaming and throwing tantrums until the wee hours of the night. I don't want him associating bedtime with negative stuff, especially anxiety about crying and such. on the night's his father visits I think I will be responsible for putting him to bed. I want bedtime to be a calm experience. Hopefully, what I started last night will work and we'll see.
Last night I decided to test a theory. Instead of fighting him around this pacifier, I eased him into bedtime as I always do. We had dinner, we played, we watched Elmo for 30 minutes (that's all he gets) and then we got into bed with the lights down low, music playing softly. He kept figetting but I knew he was sleepy. He asked for his "fasfier" and I let him have it for 5 minutes. Next thing I knew, he was knocked out.
He woke up this morning well-rested and upbeat. He always wakes up with a smile but this smile was different. It's the kind of smile you have after ag ood night's rest.
I think the problem I am having is that I can't force the weaning on him. He goes all day without it at daycare and there's no issue but he knows when he gets home, he can have it. I don't give it to him. If he absolutely can't go to sleep, then I will give it to him for a few minutes. So far, this has been working out for me.
I know his dad doesn't think he should have it and will keep it from him. Thus, my son ends up screaming and throwing tantrums until the wee hours of the night. I don't want him associating bedtime with negative stuff, especially anxiety about crying and such. on the night's his father visits I think I will be responsible for putting him to bed. I want bedtime to be a calm experience. Hopefully, what I started last night will work and we'll see.
