 | I disagree with Thwarted in that crying it out DOES NOT work with all babies/toddlers. I let Nathan cry one night for 3 hours and after 2 throw-ups (and putting clean sheets on the bed and new jammies on him) I figured it wasn't working, or worth it. He fell asleep - by himself in his crib at 10 and woke up at least 6 times that night.
I only have one child so I can't imagine how exhausted you must be with 2 little ones! For bedtimes and naps I hold Nathan until he falls asleep. We sing songs, read books or just talk. Sometimes I can lay him down very tired but awake, but usually he's asleep when I lay him down. He'll generally sleep 10 hours, sometimes 11. I think that if he'll sleep that long by me putting him to sleep so what?! You do what works for you. The "books" say that you shouldn't put them down awake because they can't put themselves back to sleep, however I find that untrue.
Now, as far as advice, because so far I haven't given any to you, I would just say that don't let them into your bed at all, even in the morning, until their nights get straightend out. Maybe that's what wakes them; wanting to be in your bed, but because they are so tired they fall back to sleep, but not for long. Stay with them until they fall asleep if you have to.
You mentioned that you're still trying to find the "perfect time" for bedtime. At those ages I would say 8 or 8:30 is late enough. So the other problem may be that they are going to bed too late, which can affect their night sleep.
What were your 2 older kids like as babies? |
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