won't sleep at grandma's!!!

[An2net]

hey there,

Just wondering if anybody has any suggestions for me. My son who's 1 just won't nap when we are at my mothers place for the day. She went out and bought a portable cot with toys and musical mobile etc so that when she has him for the day (and the fact I might be returning to part-time work and she'll be babysitting him) he'll have his own little space to sleep. When it's time to sleep, he starts crying as soon as we start climbing the stairs to the spare room where his cot is. He won't settle even after 15 mins of crying and leaving him in there with his toys etc. Therefore, she's always had to put him in the pram and go for a walk to get him to fall asleep where he stays for about an hour. I don't want him to get used to this. He's fine when we're at home. Any help?

An2net

[Mahjong]

Hmmm, sounds to me he's not comfortable with sleeping at his Nanna's as it's not HIS room if you know what I mean.

Some bubbies can be very picky when it comes to sleeping and where they sleep, some bubby's will only sleep in THEIR room and cot, no where else.

My advice is to not push the issue, it may make it worse and make him feel even more uncomfortable. Let him tell you what he wants and it will make him feel like he gets a say and may relax more. Wyatt was the same with his Nanna's place, we did what I mentioned and let him be in control, and now he will sleep there during the day when he visits and also overnight.

All kids are individuals, it's just trial and error when it comes to working out how they tick.

Good luck! :fingerscrossed:

[~Emmylou~]

You'll probably find that once he's there on a regular basis if you go back to work that after a week or two he'll sleep just fine.
But just like you, toddlers aren't usually fond of going to sleep in strange places. They like their own room and own bed and also somewhere different is overstimulating to them.
My DD is an excellent sleeper at home, always has been. But even after a year of going to MIL's two days per week she still doesn't sleep great over there.

[cath]

Hi,
my 10 month old is the same. My parents bought a portacot and I know that my Mum is so annoyed that it hasn't been used yet but he just won't sleep in it. We too have to get him to sleep in the pram if we are over there for dinner (and we have only worked that out in the last month or so - he just used to stay awake until we went home which was not good). We still rock him to sleep and we used to have him mostly asleep in our arms but as soon as we put him in the portacot he knew it wasn't his bed and would snap awake and refuse to lie down and go to sleep. We also have 2 portacots (bought one with a higher level thinking that would help after also been given one) so all up this little boy has 3 portacots to sleep in but has not used them yet!! I am hoping one day he might - I think it is a long way off though.

Cath

[Sarie]

My sister used to have the same problem with her little girl. She would never sleep in her porta cot, but I think it was because she wasn't used to it.
We've always had our boys have their day time sleeps (even if we are at home) in the porta cot, so if we go out and need them to sleep in one they will.
It takes them a little time to get used to knew things, but I'm sure they will eventually.

[An2net]

I know my mum is a little annoyed too at having spent the money to set up bubba's room - and not having him use it! It would be nice if he did sleep there - then I could leave him there for more than a few hours and not have to rush back to get him home for his afternoon nap!

I think I might also put up our portacot here at home and get him to have his afternoon nap in there to get used to it. DH wants to go away for a week over Xmas and my major concern is 'will bubba sleep?" in his portacot for a week. Better start practising now! This might help....thx for your suggestions girls.

An2net