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If you have not taught your child since infant stage to sleep in a separate crib or bed than yours, it is going to be UGLY for you.  Do not despair, all children can be taught to self-sooth and fall asleep by themselves. 

 

We share with you some alternatives that will help you during this period of transition.

  

Method A – You stay in your child’s room but will not lie in his bed or interact with him.  Every night you will sit on a chair and will take it far from the bed until you are out of the room.  By this time (a period of 4 to 7 nights) he will accept the idea that you are around while he sleeps even if he cannot see you.  If you have succeed  with this method and suddenly your child demands you back in the room, take him gently by the hand and re assure that it is ok to go back to bed and that you will be near in case he needs anything.  Do not lie in your child’s bed or you will sabotage all your sleepless nights.

 

Method B – You take your child to bed and promise that you will be back in five minutes to check on him.  KEEP THE PROMISE!! You will do this as necessary as required during the night prolonging the minutes every time until he falls asleep.  This method seems to be the favorite among parents.

 

Method C – If you failed Methods A or B, then the drastic method is to take your child back to the room and tell him that “He needs to stay in bed to sleep”.  Some children will stay and obey, some others will keep coming out of the room and some parents gate the room to make their children stay in their rooms.

 

In our opinion, gating your child’s room, letting him cry until he falls asleep or any other method that will make your child hysterical is not necessary.   We encourage parents to try methods A or B.

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You need to create a nighttime routine that can include the following:

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•  Have a healthy snack (not in the room).

•  Have a little talk while walking your child to the room (asking about the day, telling how happy you are with his good behavior at school, at home, or day care).

•  Having a special mommy or daddy time that can include: singing a special song, saying a prayer, saying goodnight to your family pet, listening to one song before bedtime).

•  Read a book along with your child.