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2-yr old nurses to sleep- what about when with a babysitter???

707 views 8 replies 9 participants last post by  Miasmamma  
#1 ·
My son is about to turn 2 and still nurses to sleep for naps and at bedtime. However, I am now working full time and when he's with my mother during the day, she has a heck of a time getting him to sleep. She has to rock him until he falls asleep but now he's been fighting it.

I know people who just put their child in a bed or crib and they just go to sleep without any effort on the part of the parents. I wonder, who are these people and how did their kids get that way? Because my kids is not like that at all!!!

Is there anything my mother can do? And when can I expect him to go to sleep on his own without nursing? (maybe when he weans...)

Sorry if this is slightly off-topic...
 
#3 ·
I didn't leave the children very often but when I did family would try things like laying down and watching cartoons with them, rocking with a sippy cup and stories or my husband always lays on the couch and gives them a backrub and they fall asleep together. I think the trick is to start before the child gets overly tired and cranky.
 
#4 ·
My first ds would only accept me to go to sleep until he weaned at nearly 3 yrs old. The only exception was if my dh drove him in the car and then VERY carefully got him into our bed without waking him. He was nightweaned when he did this so if he woke up AFTER falling asleep, he let dh put him back to sleep.

Dd, on the other hand will let dh put her to sleep by laying down with her and using a pacifier. She's actually done this for ages if the need arises, since about 16 months and she's almost 2 ( next week!) She still nurses to sleep every night and is able to go back and forth...

All kids are different....maybe your mom can lay down with him and pat his back, sing songs? Go for a drive and sit in the driveway and read a book?
 
#5 ·
My son (as a baby) was rocked by his sitter. She came once a week. DH could never put either of my kids to sleep (he gave up too easily).

But sitters have always been able to do it.

They rocked them. Or took them for a walk in the stroller.

With my 2.5 yr old daughter, I taught my sitter to carry her in the sling and literally seconds later, she is out.

So it is possible!

My kids were never left alone to sleep in a crib or any bed unassisted. It was always with me nursing.

After I weaned my son at 3 yrs.... He still likes to snuggle to sleep.
 
#6 ·
I have the same issue. My 18 month old will only go to sleep when nursing, and sleeps right next to me every night. I wouldn't normally mind this, as I'm almost never away from him.

The issue comes with my 3.5 year old who has medical issues. When I was in the hospital with her for several hours, or at CHOP having her testing done, Grant was with my mom or MIL. He screamed the entire time he was at my MIL's
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Luckily, he seems to think my mom looks a lot like mommy, and will fall asleep while cuddling her.

She isn't always available,though. It's hard to strike a balance between comforting them, and getting them to handle the times when mommy isn't there.

My mom said she just rocked him on her shoulder and rubbed his back. He eventually just fell asleep.
 
#7 ·
If you just went back to work it is going to be a transition for your little one. I think that as long as your mother is consistent with her method, he will eventually adjust.

Perhaps, having a set time everyday for his nap, a long wind-down period leading up to the nap (i.e. reading books in the rocking chair) and then a really long rocking session. Even if he doesn't go down for his naps, she should keep at it, because eventually, he will get relaxed enough and know to expect this that he will feel comfortable falling asleep.

Hopefully, you mom doesn't mind holding and rocking him for long periods!

Good luck!
 
#8 ·
I agree--if she's consistent, he'll eventually adjust. I think having some sort of "grandma" routine is key. Here's my BTDT: ds (13mo) is still really difficult to put down for naps at home (I have to nurse and bounce/rock him, and it sometimes takes 40 minutes even when he's exhausted, grrr). At daycare, after lunch, she changes their diapers, gets out the cots that the toddlers sleep on, and says "ok nap time." They all (incl ds!) lie down voluntarily and happily go to sleep. ON THEIR OWN. And he sleeps for 1.5 hours there (at home, never more than 45 mins). She used to rock him, but now he just does it on his own.
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They adjust to new situations--it might take a while, but it will happen.
 
#9 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Equuskia View Post
It's funny, because with me, my 15 month old dd nurses to sleep. With everyone else, my mom, sister and hubby, she falls asleep on their shoulder, lap or just being rocked to sleep. Why can't she be like that with me!
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