megincl
09-19-2005, 07:08 PM
We just recently got NCSS for toddlers/preschoolers. DS is 2.5, and we have used many of the solutions from the first NCSS to help him with his sleep. But, his nighttime sleep has been getting worse and worse again, so I'd love some support, both from those using the NCSS approaches and from any others who have some wisdom to offer in this area.
Here's some of our dilemmas:
1. DS definitely needs an early bedtime. He is in daycare until 5, and I think we need to have lights out definitely by 7:30. This seems like so little time to do evening activities, wind down, have a bedtime routine, etc. Any suggestions for making this work? I'm thinking that maybe we need to put off any dinner prep for the moms until after he's asleep. Not ideal, but may help.
2. DS routinely wakes in the am between 5:15 and 6am. Usually, it's much closer to 5:15. I am beginning to suspect he is hungry at that time. How can we give him a bit of a snack without encouraging waking up?
3. The biggie: it is taking DS over an hour to fall asleep after the bedtime routine is done. I lie with him and leave only if it is okay with him. He thrashes around, turns somersaults, sings loudly, lies on top of me, and more. It is VERY hard for him to relax his body. Sometimes I put huge amounts of pressure on his diaper, which seems to help him relax. I think that he's mostly over-tired by the time he's 10 minutes into these activities, making it even harder for him to relax. We need some major help here!
Other info: DS is generally a good napper, getting about a 2hr nap every day. When he sleeps 8.5-9hrs at night, however, that is still less than the "recommended" amount of sleep, not that I 100% buy into that. But I'm curious. He also has lots of food allergies, but mainly his allergens are out of his diet, and they don't seem to affect his behavior as much as his digestion (but maybe we need to look at this too). Going down for naps usually happens in about three minutes, no problem. Nighttime is an entirely different story.
We look forward to any and all advice,
megin and katie, two tired but very much in love moms to quinn :)
Here's some of our dilemmas:
1. DS definitely needs an early bedtime. He is in daycare until 5, and I think we need to have lights out definitely by 7:30. This seems like so little time to do evening activities, wind down, have a bedtime routine, etc. Any suggestions for making this work? I'm thinking that maybe we need to put off any dinner prep for the moms until after he's asleep. Not ideal, but may help.
2. DS routinely wakes in the am between 5:15 and 6am. Usually, it's much closer to 5:15. I am beginning to suspect he is hungry at that time. How can we give him a bit of a snack without encouraging waking up?
3. The biggie: it is taking DS over an hour to fall asleep after the bedtime routine is done. I lie with him and leave only if it is okay with him. He thrashes around, turns somersaults, sings loudly, lies on top of me, and more. It is VERY hard for him to relax his body. Sometimes I put huge amounts of pressure on his diaper, which seems to help him relax. I think that he's mostly over-tired by the time he's 10 minutes into these activities, making it even harder for him to relax. We need some major help here!
Other info: DS is generally a good napper, getting about a 2hr nap every day. When he sleeps 8.5-9hrs at night, however, that is still less than the "recommended" amount of sleep, not that I 100% buy into that. But I'm curious. He also has lots of food allergies, but mainly his allergens are out of his diet, and they don't seem to affect his behavior as much as his digestion (but maybe we need to look at this too). Going down for naps usually happens in about three minutes, no problem. Nighttime is an entirely different story.
We look forward to any and all advice,
megin and katie, two tired but very much in love moms to quinn :)