What do you do when your kid wants to play instead of sleep?

[Deleted]

We have been dealing with this for about a week now. The only thing that has worked is letting her have a few stuffed animals in the crib. Previously it was just a blanket. She talks to them, moves them around, wraps them in a blanket, and plays until she falls asleep. That works for getting her down initially.

As far as MOTN, I have no idea. 1am has been playtime in our house the last several nights. The only thing that gets her back to sleep is a bottle and coming to our bed, which is the total opposite direction of where we need to be going.

[debatethis]

I put him in bed. Nighttime milk, brush teeth, story, crib. He can be mad at me all he wants but we put him down at 7:30 every night.

[ljgs1010]

We also put him to bed and let him get mad. We leave him with a few soft, noiseless toys or books. If we give in he wants to come out to the main area of the house and will throw an epic tantrum over it.

[sv917]

H cries himself to sleep every night. He never wants to sleep; he always wants to play.

[finnaroo]

I have spent most of the past 11 months fighting to get this kid to sleep. I nurse her to sleep. When she fights it, I let her play until she comes to me saying that she's ready. This is possibly not the best approach, but there's hell to pay if I force it.

[kimmycup]

Does he have a lovey? If not I'd suggest getting him attached to one and let him sleep with it. Routine and consistency is the key. White noise machine helps. For MOTN wake ups I'd make sure he didn't poo or pee through the diaper, and if everything was in check then I'd do time checks.

[cagoldi]

We still rock him, but he usually lets us. On the rare occasions he doesn't let us rock him, we've had to lie him down with his lovey, say good night, and leave the room. It hasn't been often, thank goodness, and he cried for just a few minutes each time then settled down. It was more of an "I'm pissed I'm not getting my way" than an "I'm hurt or desperately frightened cry.

He'll figure it out. If he is not hurt or scared I would just leave him be unless you think periodic check-ins will help or he needs you for a new diaper, he threw up, etc.