Arun at 3 months
We recently started to have some problems getting Arun to sleep. I know this is a journey that all parents have to go through and yes, many have it much worse. I know parents of three year olds who still wake up three or four times to nurse their baby back to sleep.
Not us.. we thought we had overcome all of that. Upon our return from India Arun seemed to have a major developmental leap. At 15 months he started to walk, to talk and to finally sleep through the night on most nights. We were able to move him into his own bedroom where eventually we just kissed him good night and he chatted to himself for a few minutes before falling into a long and deep sleep. I felt very proud of this, like we had overcome a major hurdle of parenting. I think I even bragged a little.
But no more- he simply does not want to sleep. It all started about a month ago when he figured out how to open his bedroom door. Since that day he will not stay in his room if we leave. He will run in and out of his room, giggling and calling for us until we eventually give in and come into his room, lay him down and lie perfectly still until after at least an hour of squirming, baby yoga and other stalling techniques he finally succumbs to utter exhaustion. This is repeated at both nap and bedtimes. All three of us are losing sleep and losing patience.
When I try to coax him into just lying down and going to sleep, he tells me 'I am not interested in sleeping'! This, coming from a 22 month old, would be quite funny if we weren't all so tired.
How does your child go to sleep?
