Anyone with other little ones - need sleeping advice

[lilgreen]

DS just turned 3. We used to co-sleep, but since Sept he's slept in his own bed. I just stopped nursing him last month, and until then he would nurse several times at night, which meant I also slept in his bed, mostly.

I thought he would sleep better at night once he stopped nursing, but he still wakes at least two or three times before 6am and I have to go in and lie with him until he falls asleep. I also still have to lie with him until he goes to sleep at bedtime.

I know when the baby comes I will not be able to keep doing this, so I need help to get him to comfort himself back to sleep. Dh has tried, but ds always loses it and won't let up until I come in. He won't even let dh put him to sleep.

I've tried talking to him about it, but once nighttime hits, nothing changes - he just wants mommy.

If any of you have had experience with this or have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much in advance.

Take care,
lilgreen

[Thmom]

have you tried having dh in with you... maybe both of you comforting him for a bit will get him more used to dh doing it...

also maybe a cup of water? my kids needed a cup of water to "replace" nursing with

does he have a blanket or other security item? you may want to try to introduce one...

do you have an established bedtime routine so he's slowly prepareing for bed?

sorry mama that's all the advice I have... each kid is different and some just need more comfort than others

[lilgreen]

Thmom:

That's a great idea to have dh with me when getting him to sleep.

I'll also try getting him a stuffed animal or something for him to snuggle with.

We do all the rest of the stuff you questioned - water, bedtime routine.

He falls asleep fine and when he wakes up he just calls for me and usually falls right back to sleep. He just needs to be sure I'm there before he lets himself.

Thanks for the suggestions, and it is so true that all kids are different and some just need a little more tlc.

Thanks!
lilgreen