Monday, December 12, 2011

How do I get my 16 month old back on a normal sleep schedule?

It's not an easy answer, but you need to go into her room to comfort her, but do NOT take her out of her crib. Once you take her out of the crib you have rewarded her crying which encourages her to continue this habit. She is clearly insecrure about the move, and just needs reurance that mom is still there for her if she needs you. Give her hugs in the crib, rub her back tell her mom is still right here. Try to add more minutes onto the time it takes to respond ( 10 min. first few times, then 15, 20, 30 min.). Repeat, if she awakens in the night. Once you get her to fall asleep easily in her crib again for a couple nights, you can get her back on the old schedule by waking her up in the morning so she's not "sleeping late". That should help correct the nap schedule, and she'll be tired enough for the 8:30 bed-time as well. Just remember that she needs you to do this for her a couple nights so that she can stop feeling so insecure. She'll be so much happier when mommy helps her through this and she feels safe in her little bed again. Babies thrive on routine, and she probably misses the comfort of her old schedule too, especially since it was familiar and she's in a new home. If at all possible, try to make her new room look like her old one (position of crib, dresser, toys etc.) to help her adjust. Good luck.

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