Sleeping

Here’s what Dr. Ann Corwin, The Parenting Doctor, has to say about Sleeping:

Not getting enough sleep is a very successful form of torture. You will do anything, literally, just to get a few winks. That is understandably why parents do stuff in the night to get their kids back to sleep that they would never do during the day or when they were rested.

First, thing to remember is when you tell your kids it is time to go to bed, what they hear in their childhood brains is that their play and fun has to stop and they will not see their parents anymore.

What we really mean as parents is that we will give our kids a bath, read stories, brush their teeth and get some needed sleep so we’re ready for tomorrow.

As you can see a child’s view of this process is very different than their parents.

SO WHAT’S A PARENT TO DO?

Tell your kids what they want to hear at bedtime. Instead of saying “bedtime”, say, “It’s time to read your favorite stories, splash in some water and get your smile shinning brightly while we listen to some music up in the bathroom”.

Give it a try and just see if your kids don’t look forward to bedtime instead of resisting it.

P.S.
If your child is waking in the night, be sure to not give them incentives to keep getting up by talking to them, touching them or looking at them. Just put them back to bed with their lovey. The lovey tells them that they are not alone, even though they cannot be with their parent when they are sleeping.

Boy giggles and laughs for up to 20 minutes after we’ve put him down at night to sleep

Written on June 5, 2008 – 10:23 am
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents

Hi Dr. Ann, 
My 35 month old boy giggles and laughs for up to 20 minutes after we’ve put him down at night to sleep. Should it be a concern?
Danel Peterson, South Africa

Wow, to have a happy, self assured kid…the greatest gift to sleep. Every single one of us figures out how to fall asleep.  Some […]

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Ontario Mom with 25 month old has bed problems

Written on February 8, 2008 – 3:30 pm
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, Pacifiers, Thumbs, Fingers, Toddler Years

Hello Dr Ann
We are having some issues with our 25 month old daughter. Shortly after her second birthday we purchased a dora toddler bed which Ryleigh loved, we also at the same time took away her sucky.
Since then she has been doing amazing with the no sucky situation but has now refused to sleep in […]

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2 Year Old Night Waking

Written on December 14, 2007 – 6:45 pm
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, Toddler Years

Hi,
I read a very similiar situation on your site and wondered if you might be able to help with our 2 year old who is waking quite frequently now that we have a new baby. 
Amelia took a long time to start to sleep through the night, around 15 months, and was consistent until we had […]

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Getting Baby To Sleep

Written on December 10, 2007 – 9:37 am
Posted in Dr. Ann's Column, Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, First Year, New Baby

The needs of an infant, in terms of sleep, are all dictated by their nutritional needs.
Meaning they need to wake up to eat. Every 2 to 3 hours, babies need to wake up because their tummies are small. They need to fill their tummies up, and then in 2 or 3 hours, they’ll wake up […]

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Getting 7 Month Old Baby To Sleep

Written on November 28, 2007 – 7:06 pm
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, First Year, New Baby

Hi Dr. Ann,
I have a 7-month-old son who wakes up during the night to drink a bottle. I have tried many ways to get him to sleep through the night, but nothing seems to work. Can you help?
– Lupe 
Dr. Ann Corwin, The Parenting Doctor Advice
Dear Lupe
The needs of an infant, in terms of sleep, are […]

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Toddler Night Time Fit at Bedtime

Written on November 28, 2007 – 7:04 pm
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, Tantrums, Toddler Years

Dear Dr. Ann
My 17-month-old toddler throws a fit every night at bedtime. She will not listen to a word we say. She has a 2-month-old brother and I wonder if she’s doing this for attention. How can I help my daughter express herself in a more effective way and how can I learn to understand […]

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Sleeping Anxiety

Written on November 27, 2007 – 2:42 pm
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents

Hi Dr. Ann
 I have a quick question concerning Sydney’s sleeping. She still has anxiety when I put her down so I am unable to lay her on the pillow and tuck her in.  I attempt it but end up just leaving for her to cry (which is still taking a while before she lays down).  […]

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Sleep in the 1st year

Written on November 27, 2007 – 11:14 am
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, First Year

Hi Ann, 
Well, you didn’t think I was going to get through Nick’s first year without a few questions did you?  The truth is we are doing very well.  Nick is growing quickly and is a very happy baby.  I think this is in part because of the way his sister and brother love him.  They […]

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Sleep and Guests

Written on November 27, 2007 – 11:05 am
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, Toddler Years

Good Morning Ann Corwin,
I attended your class a few weeks back w/ my son, Elijah.  Thank you for your time.  You really encouraged me.  I spoke w/ you about my concern about sleeping” and getting a schedule down for him. 
I also purchased the book “Sleep - The Brazelton Way”  which I found much more to […]

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Night-night routine for 31 month old

Written on November 27, 2007 – 10:54 am
Posted in Dr. Ann's Place for Parents, Toddler Years

Hi,
I saw you today and we discussed Ethan (27 months) not going to bed at night without calling me back to say goodnight one more time and various other requests.  Tonight didn’t go so well (he’s screaming right now).  Can you go over one more time what I’m supposed to do.  You mentioned having a […]

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