https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:41:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nap-training-6#post-2709111 Sun, 12 Mar 2017 16:31:46 +0000 RositaB 2709111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello! My son is 7 months old. He sleeps through the night for the most part (teething has been waking him up but he comforts himself back to sleep). He falls asleep easily on his own for bedtime.<br /> Naps however are another struggle. He takes two naps usually, morning and afternoon. Morning nap is about an hour, sometimes in his crib. However, afternoon nap he will not sleep unless he is nursing. He will sleep for 2+ hours as long as he can nurse. I take him off once he's sleeping but he will wake halfway through and want to be back on.<br /> My question is, how do I get him to nap in his crib and stay asleep for longer than 20 min? I know that I created a habit of nursing to nap, ?75 with him able to sleep at night on his own i know that he is capable. I'm not opposed to cry it out, I just want to make sure I am doing it right. I'll be back to work when he is 12 months so I have a few months to sort this out.<br /> He will also nap well in the car or stroller.<br /> Thanks for your help ladies!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1433412 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:07:53 +0000 chopsuey 1433412@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cchoi4: dd did this for a while so we locked her door from the outside. It worked well for us and she stopped getting out of bed after a few days.<br /> Now, we leave her door open at night and she doesn't come out unless she needs to potty. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1433405 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:05:58 +0000 whodat 1433405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cchoi4: Last night he got up twice and I calmly led him back to bed and patted him for a few minutes. I also put his star turtle nightlight on. He didn't complain too much and went back to sleep in his own bed each time. I consider that a win, even though he did get up twice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1433387 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 11:00:31 +0000 Cchoi4 1433387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@whodat: we'll have to check in with one another on how things are going in the next few weeks. I'm hoping things will normalize with some more consistency on DH and my parts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1433284 Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:19:14 +0000 Cchoi4 1433284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jump Rope: crossing my fingers for you! haha lame bedtime songs that work aren't lame!! :) they are magic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1431644 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 14:28:39 +0000 whodat 1431644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the same boat with my 2 year old, except that he mostly gets up in the middle of the night and comes into our room. Last night he got out of his bed about 4 times between 8 and 10 pm. So it's an ongoing struggle.</p> <p>What has worked is being consistent with telling him he has to sleep in his own bed, and not let him in just because we're tired and don't feel like dealing with him. Also he has claimed one of DD's boy dolls as his own, and we talk about the doll having to sleep in his own bed at night. He'll tell the doll "No sleep in mommy-daddy bed!"</p> <p>But, yeah, it's an ongoing struggle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1431470 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:35:09 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1431470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two days worth of experience. Okay, one bedtime and one nap time. </p> <p>We transitioned Chloe yesterday. Nap time was horrendous. Maybe she just wasn't sleepy? Bedtime was a little different. We tried bribing and pleading, but in the end here's what worked:</p> <p>- I made up a super lame big girl bed song. Trust me, it's lame.<br /> - I told her she's got a bed just like her princesses (her little people castle)<br /> - we tucked her princesses to sleep in their big girl bed<br /> - and then we did our normal bedtime routine<br /> - we also told her that she can't get out of bed unless she asked</p> <p>AND IT WORKED.</p> <p>Today, she declared nap time 40 minutes earlier than we normally would go in her room. She climbed in bed herself, asked me for the big girl bed song, we read a book and did hugs and kisses. She told me she's not a baby anymore (!!!) and she loves her big girl bed. </p> <p>Trying not to jinx myself because damn that turned out to be easy, but hoping my suggestions work for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1431448 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:29:03 +0000 Cchoi4 1431448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HabesBabe: ooh! I will have to look into those as well! Thanks!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1431426 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:24:11 +0000 Cchoi4 1431426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I had thought of that as an option but that won't deter him for screaming or yelling down the hallway or keep the noise in should he decide to bang the walls with his toys. His little brother's bedroom is between his bedroom and mine so potential noise is a factor as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1431420 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:22:30 +0000 Cchoi4 1431420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: thanks mrs bee! I will def check out the tips! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1431417 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:22:04 +0000 Cchoi4 1431417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyD: he's not really waking up. He just doesn't fall asleep for a long time so after the bedtime routine, I or my DH tell him the rule that we will stay five minutes and then leave. We give him fair warning and have one of those turtle nightlight that project stars on the walls and ceiling. He just won't fall asleep and makes a ruckus yelling and sometimes crying for us to come back or just not to leave. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1431086 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 11:48:56 +0000 HabesBabe 1431086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Innovative-Teach-Talking-Nightlight/dp/B003D7KV0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1392742063&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=times+alarm+clock+for+kids" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/American-Innovative-Teach-Talking-Nightlight/dp/B003D7KV0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1392742063&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=times+alarm+clock+for+kids</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/American-Innovative-Teach-Talking-Nightlight/dp/B003D7KV0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1392742063&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=times+alarm+clock+for+kids" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/American-Innovative-Teach-Talking-Nightlight/dp/B003D7KV0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1392742063&#038;sr=8-1&#038;keywords=times+alarm+clock+for+kids</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Onaroo-Childrens-Alarm-Clock-Nightlight/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1392742063&#038;sr=8-9&#038;keywords=times+alarm+clock+for+kids" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Onaroo-Childrens-Alarm-Clock-Nightlight/dp/B00EAHSBV4/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1392742063&#038;sr=8-9&#038;keywords=times+alarm+clock+for+kids</a></p> <p>How about one of these clocks/nightlights that "tell" your kid when it's OK to get up? My friend started using one for her pre-schooler and said it's been like magic. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430740 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 10:00:09 +0000 erwoo 1430740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never had leaving his room but calling us repeated for this and that and everything! What worked was being firm, even if it meant some tears. He still does it but these day I try to tell him he has to sleep b/c he has to do this or that the next morning. Sometimes incentives helps but I'd prefer not to. I've used a door lock on the inside for a very long time too. I think that alone prevented him from even attempting to leave his room, but not from calling us repeatedly. I agree with @Mrs. Bee: in that you have to experiment and see what works for him. I have a feeling our second will have a whole different set of issues when it's time to switch to the toddler rail on his crib. My oldest never used a toddler rail b/c it just didn't make sense to switch it only to switch it back. He was in his crib until a little after he turned 3 when we had to move his little brother into his room. The sleep sack worked really well for us. I think their crib is just impossible to climb out of with a sleep sack. I hope you find something that works for you so you all can get some rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430725 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:55:21 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1430725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cchoi4: here is a post i wrote on it with tons of tips you can try...</p> <p><a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2013/07/24/30-tips-to-help-your-toddler-preschooler-sleep/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2013/07/24/30-tips-to-help-your-toddler-preschooler-sleep/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430723 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:54:53 +0000 Mamaof2 1430723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cchoi4: ugh I feel your pain! - we had to lock my DS's door - it was getting ridiculous with him up and out of the bed 30 times at night - I was exhausted and we had to do something! We flipped the handle around and locked it from the outside - once he was asleep we would unlock it so he could come out if he woke later in the night - he was also 3 yrs old </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430719 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:54:07 +0000 looch 1430719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about putting a gate up in the doorway? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430716 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 09:52:32 +0000 Mrs. Bee 1430716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. High Heels: charlie's sleep was the same for a year+ after we transitioned him from the crib to a bed. we couldn't keep him in the crib around 26 months because he kept climbing out with his sleep sack and could easily fall and hurt himself (the sleep sack kept him in there a couple more months at least!).</p> <p>we tried a lot of different things! you really have to experiment. what worked for us ultimately was leaving a lamp on with a very dim bulb (i think ours is 15 watt now) or a nightlight. they start to have more fears/nightmares at that age. we also let charlie sleep with the door wide open. </p> <p>and yes we did use a door lock for a little while and yes that helped! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430343 Tue, 18 Feb 2014 00:16:22 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1430343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no advice because this has been happening to us ever since we transitioned DD out of the crib. DH didn't want to lock the door either, so we just deal with it...... we have been dealing with it for over a year now. :( now we're just used to it. she falls asleep in her own bed, and usually around 4 am she'll climb quietly into our bed and sleep with us. we actually like that now because we have the nights to ourselves and then we still get to wake up all cozied up next to her. </p> <p>it was dreadful when it first started though (because she was an amazing crib sleeper)... but we've just given up at this point, threw our hands up and said, "it is what it is!". bedtimes also take awhile - she wakes up multiple times stalling and asking for milk, potty, water... </p> <p>if i could go back in time i would've kept her in the crib as long as possible (we only switched her bc we were expecting #2). i also wouldn't have let her know that it was possible for her to even get out of the twin bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430334 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 23:55:38 +0000 leelee 1430334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh I feel ya! Usually takes us 45minutes to get DD to sleep :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430333 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 23:54:39 +0000 JennyD 1430333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Why is he getting up? Is he really tired or not tired at all? My two year old sometimes just needs literally five more minutes. She will stand at her door and scream for 45 minutes, but if I brig her back downstairs and tell her she gets 5 more minutes, she will go to bed, no fuss, in 5 minutes. I have no idea why it works, but it does. </p> <p>I would try talking to him through the day about when it's nap time or bedtime how he's going to stay in his bed like a big boy. And give him warnings. As many as he can handle. A five minute warning works good for my LO, or something tangible like "when you finish your yogurt, it's time to have a nap". </p> <p>Another thing my mom did with my sister was take time at bedtime tucking her in and telling her that the blankets were a cocoon and when she woke up she would be a beautiful butterfly. That worked, but she was a bit bigger I think....</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-would-you-do-39#post-1430292 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 23:04:07 +0000 Cchoi4 1430292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our almost 3 year old is constantly climbing out of bed at nighttime and naptime. Naptime is one thing but as I write this, it is currently 10pm. DH has been doing the bedtime routine and trying to get DS to go to bed since 8:30pm. </p> <p>Other than locking his bedroom door at night, (either replacing the lever door with a knob that he can't open OR putting one of those child safety knob covers on the inside knob so we can still open the door from the outside), we don't know what to do.</p> <p>While I don't want to lock him in, I also do not want to lie in bed with him for an hour or have him sneak out of his room and into DS2's room and wake him up.</p> <p>My son simply does not listen to DH or I when we ask him to stay in his room and we don't want this bedtime routine to be hours each night. What would you do? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-babys-cat-naps-lengthen#post-1228115 Tue, 19 Nov 2013 19:32:16 +0000 mrsbookworm 1228115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was the same way. Now at 6 months, he's finally sleeping for about 45 minutes. It just took time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-babys-cat-naps-lengthen#post-1227613 Tue, 19 Nov 2013 15:49:01 +0000 Mamasig 1227613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You aren't doing anything wrong! My son only took 30 minute naps until about 6-7 months. They then lengthened to about 45 minutes. Eventually, he dropped the cat nap thing at around 9 months. Now his naps are anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. I think some babies just grow out that phase more slowly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-did-your-babys-cat-naps-lengthen#post-1227605 Tue, 19 Nov 2013 15:46:31 +0000 Cchoi4 1227605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is 4 months old next week and he tends to only take 20-30 min naps, whether its in his crib, rock n play, etc. He wakes up crying but won't go back down. </p> <p>Is this a common 4 month old occurence? My ped says it is but so many moms on this blog have their kids on what seems to be a great schedule with long naps by 4 months.</p> <p>I can't help wonder if I'm doing something wrong. I try to put him down when I see sleepy cues, turn on white noise, etc. I can get him to fall asleep, but he always wakes up after a short time. His naps don't even get to the 45 min intruder, which I would welcome at this point.</p> <p>Am i alone? (please tell me I'm not) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-put-your-infant-down-when-you-have-a-toddler#post-1153650 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 17:29:01 +0000 glimmersnaps 1153650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also have a 12 week old and 2.5 yo! For me it's a reverse problem as the DD baby distracts my DS toddler from sleeping. It's just taken time for him to get used to her and some days he just passes out from exhaustion.</p> <p>When she's sleeping and he's awake, he just wakes her up sometimes. I don't have her sleeping in a quiet room or anything. She is used to the noise unless it's really loud. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-put-your-infant-down-when-you-have-a-toddler#post-1152926 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 12:32:24 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 1152926@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to be able to set up Little Boy with an activity while I nursed Baby Brother, with white noise on in a dark room. Currently though he's going through a mischievous phase though, so I just put on a DVD for 20 minutes. :/ For the afternoon nap/quiet time I try to put down the older one first while baby plays on the floor in his room, and then put the baby down. The best thing though was getting Baby Brother onto two naps instead of three (but I know there's only so much you can do to make that happen). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-put-your-infant-down-when-you-have-a-toddler#post-1152887 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 12:13:04 +0000 Cchoi4 1152887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all your responses ladies!! I will try maybe a little iPad and see if that will occupy him for a bit :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-put-your-infant-down-when-you-have-a-toddler#post-1151380 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:15:36 +0000 banana 1151380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I forgot to mention that we also have "special" toys that he's only allowed to play with when I put my daughter down for her nap. He LOOOVES these toys so it's always a special treat for him. So similar to what @t-mom suggested, maybe you can find a special toy or DVD for her? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-put-your-infant-down-when-you-have-a-toddler#post-1151342 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 15:00:23 +0000 T-Mom 1151342@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't have this issue with day time sleep since I work and the kids were in day care. However my DH was never home for bed time so I used the TV to keep my DD (who was 3) occupied while I nursed DS to sleep. It sounds like you may need to just get your LO more accustomed to being alone for short periods of time. Maybe if there is a new DVD to be excited about? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-put-your-infant-down-when-you-have-a-toddler#post-1151316 Tue, 15 Oct 2013 14:43:30 +0000 MamaBehr 1151316@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't remember what I did for morning naps. I feel like DD would just hang out while I tried to put DS down. Or, DS just slept on the go (which I know is bad). For the afternoon naps I got them on the same schedule FAST and I would put DD down first. Even though DS would often just scream in the swing, it allowed me to give him the full attention he needed to really get him to sleep without the distraction of DD. </p>