Kid won't sleep

[lilmom]

We need help! My toddler is 21 months old, and goes to sleep with her cup every night, then wakes up for it at 3 am. Our son is soon to be 4 months old, and would sleep through the night if she wasn't screaming for her cup at 3 am. All that was fostered by daddy, and now, I'm trying to put an end to it. He spoils her. He wakes up 10 minutes till three waiting for both the kids to get up for their "am feedings," and then expects her to go to sleep while cuddling close to her and giving in to "THE CUP." He says it's her "security blanket," while I say, she only wants it and screams for it, because she knows you'll do anything to push it. We've tried baths nightly, with and without lavendar, children's tylenol, and a full meal right before bed time. What else is there. Also, we live in a 2 bedroom apartment and the 4 of us share one of those bedrooms. We're moving in May in hopes of more space,
What esle can we do?

[Linda/NE]

Honestly the only thing I can see that will work is taking the cup away and not giving it to her at 3 AM. Yes, you will have sleepless nights but the habit will need to be broken.

What are you putting in the cup? If you offer something other than water (which isn't a good idea by the way), then you may be able to break her of it by offering water in the cup at 3 AM. When she finally realizes that's all she gets she won't be interested in waking up for it.

Good luck!

[angie r]

The water trick worked with my ds.

[MaryL]

Same thing I was going to suggest!!!! Maybe also offer her only a drink...and not let her go to bed with it. (...a dixie cup...no cover???)