Feel like a mean mommy - OT

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone. Do any of you have problems putting your little ones down to sleep without them falling asleep prior, like, say, in your arms? is 15 months old and I have yet to be able to put him to sleep for a nap or for the night just on his own. He lets me know when he is tired and wants me to pick him up, upon which I hold him or rock him until he falls asleep, and then I put him down. However, if upon putting him down in his crib he wakes up, he will not go to sleep. He stands up and wants to be picked up again. This happens all the time, and until now, I was just going along with it and waiting for him to show me his is ready to go down by himself. THIS IS NO LONGER WORKING. Can you tell I am definitely a first-timer at this? I have heard that you just have to put them down and let them cry it out, and until today, I haven't been able to do this. Hearing my baby cry is not something I am fond of, and I cave in easily, and he knows this! Especially at 15.5 months, he is turning into a very manipulative little boy and knows how to push mom's buttons. He has even developed a fake cry with the added pout.

If it were not for a rush transcript order, I would be caving right now. He fell asleep in my arms, but twice when I put him down, he woke up and started crying. The second time, I said, "Enough is enough," and I gave him his teddy bear and walked out of the room, closed the door. I have been working on my transcript ever since and just patiently listening to him. It started out as screaming, and now, going on a half hour in there, I hear soft little cries and "Mama, mama." I know eventually he's gotta fall asleep, but I am afraid to look in there because I know he's probably standing up and waiting. I want this to be kind of a learning experience for him, because I can't rock him to sleep forever, but is he going to hate me or not trust me anymore after this? I feel awful. How have your experiences been with sleeping problems? If it were not for this rush order that has to get out in about an hour, I'd be holding him right now, but I have no choice. I figure, crying to sleep is not going to kill him and I will make it up to him when he wakes up, but why do I feel so awful right now? is he going to just cry until I go in there, or will he ever fall asleep?

(sigh!)

Kellie, mom of

Tacoma, WA