Sleep Issues - Wilmington,DE

You are right! Nothing will work if they keep running circles around him. Cry it Out only works if they stick with it. Otherwise it's the Cry Until The Parents Give in And Now They're Even Worse Because They Cry Longer Method.

I think the naps going awry is a result of the whole nutty low sleep situation. Have a talk with them and explain that whatever they want to do, they have to be firm and calm and not budgee. Take it from my step sister with 12 kids, ANY CHILD, barring medical conditions, can sleep through the night alone in their beds securely and happily. If the parents want them to and they do it that way from the start which is easiest on the child. But anyway, now that things are awry:

He needs more food during the day. Nutritious, not sugary of course. He needs lots of exercise during the day and a little sun whenever possible. He must be TIRED and FULL at night. Then, he needs a good cozy bed that he likes. Then his parents need to LEAVE HIM ALONE after they put him to bed. Even the occasional comforting is causing him to cry until he gets it. Bringing him to bed is the WORST thing they can possibly do if they want him to sleep alone in his own.

Either they want to break this habit or they don't. If they do, they have to get through the crying until he has realized he can-and has to- sleep himself. They can do it gradually if they want it to take longer.

They shouldn't worry about him sleeping on the floor. That will pass, and it won't hurt him-at least he's asleep! They could put a comfy mat there! Also, don't worry about the naps right now. That will iron out when all is calm. At this point, if he misses a nap it may help him be tired at night.

They need to make a decision, stand firm, or give up, sleep with him, and stop all the drama. Good luck! Keep your input positive and praise how hard they're trying, but let them know his behavior is TOTALLY NORMAL as long as they are running in and out and doing stuff for him at night.

I think you are right on the button S..
They have to pick an approach and stick to it. Cry it out will not work if they just give in.
If they are amenable to your input, sit down with them and ask them how they want to deal with the sleep issue and agree on a day to start the process. That way naps and bedtime are the same thing and all of the care providers are having the same response to the situation. I think it is wonderful that you as his nanny are so concerned. Are you interested in another job??? LOL

You sound like a great nanny! You are also in a sticky situation in trying to help them parent their little boy. If you are willing, I would read Richard Ferber's Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems and see if you think they would read it. It really explains the whole Cry It OUt (he's not really CIO, but that is what everyone calls it) method and how you do it-- and DON'T do it!

Kids need sleep, but the less they get, the less they want. Just make sure you're on the same page with the parents so he's getting a consistent message.

why isn't he in a crib? that would keep him in his bed.

It seems to me that they are doing exactly what he has trained them to do -- that is to put him in their bed when he cries.
If they are going to do Cry It Out, they have to ACTUALLY DO Cry It Out! If they want him sleeping in their bed, then they need to let him sleep in their bed. They're combining techniques and confusing him. Encourage them to pick O. or the other!
I'll bet once the bedtime sleep issue is solved, the nap may return to normal.
Good luck!

If he falls asleep on the floor let him stay there. My son did the same things at that age. He would climb out of the crib so we moved him to a toddler bed. Everynight he would be on the floor so i would just lay several blankets on the floor and just let him sleep there. He got his sleep and i got mine.

He may be getting some teeth in his mouth. Try some tylenol and hylands teething tablets. the teething tablets are homeopathic. If he sleeps on the floor let him. at least he is sleeping. put a blanket over him and see if he stays there for the night instead of putting him in the bed. may be he will sleep on the floor. Try a warm bath before bed and see if that helps him sleep better. I know it is hard because they can not always communicate their needs and they get fustrated. I have a son who is almost twenty one months old. Good luck