[hscott]

Has anyone had their child sleep wonderfully in their crib for approx. the first 5 mo. home and then all of a sudden not want to have anything to do with going to sleep in their crib?

That is exactly what our dd has done.........we've had her home for almost 6 mo. and well, she's been in bed with me for the last 2-3 weeks because she cries and screams and clings if we even go near the crib to put her in it. We've tried just putting her in, thinking she would get over it.......nope! I really am kind of stumped...........

Any ideas or experiences appreciated!!!!!

Thanks!

Heather

[hbrown22]

Hmm, I'm not sure, maybe this is just a phase? I swear once I have my kids figured out they decide to throw me for a loop and change it up! I wouldn't give in though and let her sleep with you, I think that would make it worse if you want her to sleep in her own bed. That's just me though. I lose sleep if one of my kids are in my bed! I'm not sure how old she is? Do you think she might be ready to transition to a toddler bed? Good luck!

[cborsa7]

It's actually quite common and usually due to the fact that she just wants to be up and not in bed. She is enjoying her time awake Pick up a good sleep issues book, I personally like Ferber's because it uses real cases and the solutions. It is also very informative about sleep patterns, and why kids wake. This is the book we used from the sleep center for our son and has a huge amount of information on toddler sleep. There are also several others you can try. I agree she may be ready for a toddler bed (don't know her age).
Hope she sleeps soon!

[dac_cincy]

Another thing it may be is an attachment/bonding thing. the crib might have been her way of shutting out the change in her life and now that time has passed and she realizes that she is with you forever, she maybe scared to be seperated from you.

It can be very hard- Bug has cycled through this- although he hated the crib from the beginning. he has now been in my bed for 6 months again. The first month is hardest for me, but now we pretty much sleep through the night now with out me being hyper viligant all night.

Love to you,
Deb

[robandjulie]

It could be a lot of things; a few that come to mind:

1. just wants to avoid bedtime
2. fear of separation from you
3. had a bad dream in her crib
4. strange noise/sight from her crib is freaking her out (maybe some new sounds related to summertime? window open? traffic or bugs/birds?)

If it's 2, 3, or 4 letting her cry-it-out would probably only make it worse. Will she sleep in there if you're in the room? Can you rule out 4? Can you put a pack-n-play or portacrib in your room and let her sleep there as a compromise?

[hscott]

Thanks for the replies so far...............

She is just over 2 years old. My concern with "making" her stay in her crib when she is soooo upset about it stems from attachment concerns. I have 9 yr. bio. daughter who NEVER slept in our bed. She was made to "cry" it out if she didn't want to be in her crib. However, with the extra issues that come with adopting a toddler, I don't want do anything that could hinder or harm the attachment process and her feeling of trust and such............
I'm just not sure how to go about getting her back in her own bed without doing harm to our progress with attachment.

I wonder all the time, is she just being naughty or is she afraid to be away from us, etc., etc. I'm sure most of us have wondered that at some point with various issues.
Keep coming with the suggestions! =)

Heather

[Guatemomtobe]

what about putting a pack and play or crib in your room? I tried that and it worked for a while. I finally transitioned her to toddler bed and about 2 1/2 to a twin bed. She does better now but she still ends in my bed a lot of nights at some point (she just turned 3).

[hbrown22]

Heather, I totally understand where you are coming from. Sometimes it is so hard to know what is "normal" and what is attachment/adoption related.

[cborsa7]

I wonder all the time, is she just being naughty or is she afraid to be away from us, etc., etc. I'm sure most of us have wondered that at some point with various issues.

Yes!! This is one of the reasons I really liked Ferber's book as opposed to some of the other sleep books. His book uses real cases from start through progress. It makes it easier to determine if your issue is "normal" toddler when you "see" your child in one in his book. Whether you use his method or not, I highly suggest it. I do think we tend to worry to the extreme sometimes if something is attachment related. I also think it is important to take into consideration your child's age at homecoming and age now. Ultimately you are the only person who knows your child.

[JillnChris]

Have you tried staying in her bedroom with her until she falls asleep?
I think transitioning to a toddler bed may be a good idea too.