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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
2.9 year old suddenly is fearful of napping / sleeping
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
2.9 year old suddenly is fearful of napping / sleeping
by JeffLewis, Jun 04, 2002 12:00AM
Our 2.9 year old had a nightmare (about Owls) last Wed. night. That night, he went back to sleep after we consoled him, etc. Since then, he has protested taking naps and going to bed at night. The mention of going to bed causes him to start crying. We've assured him that there are no Owls, etc. We are currently doing this: no naps during the day, regular bed-time rituals (reading books, etc), sitting with him at night until he falls asleep (within 15-30 minutes). He's waking up one to two times at night where he needs us to sit with him until he falls asleep again. If we do not go to him, he violently cries to the point where he is soaking wet from sweating. As he is out of the crib, he can open the door and get out of his room. We have thought about baby-gating the room as an option if we go the Farber route.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this. Is the Farber method effective? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this. Is the Farber method effective? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Jun 04, 2002 12:00AM
, Jun 04, 2002 12:00AM
The Ferber approach to solving sleep problems is without a doubt a sound approach. However, in such short-term situations as you are facing - i.e., an acute response to an upsetting event, it may not be necessary. The key is to offer a reasonable amount of support without beginning habits that can become entrenched and which will only exacerbate the problem. Part of the problem is that you removed him from his crib too early - this is a mistake many parents make. However, that is now water over the dam, so to speak, so you have to deal with it. Let your son know (and mark it on a calendar, even though he won't exactly understand the time concepts involved), that you'll continue to help him fall asleep for a few more days by sitting near the bed. Then, for a couple of additional days, sit just at or outside his door. Then you can tuck him back in, but do not stay with him, and let him know that you expect him to remain in his bed (of course, see if he has some idea what will help him do this). If he persists in coming out, by all means take the bull by the horns and prevent this. You'' have to bite the bullet if it gets to this, but it's worth it. By the way, if you've still got his crib and logistically it isn't a problem, consider resuming use of the crib until he's four or so - it may be helpful.
Thanks for the response. Actually, moving our son into the bed was out of necessity. He has learned how to climb out of the crib and I did not want to risk injury.