Poop-slinging

We've been having some sleep issues around here lately. And today, we had an extra special incident at nap time. First of all, the last three nights at bedtime have been FULL of tantrums, crying, etc. And some nap times have been this way too. Jon and I don't mind letting Mylo "cry it out" when we know he's ok and has everything he needs.

Today at nap time, I let him cry for about 45 minutes, and finally decided to go up there. When I walk into his room, I notice his diaper is laying on the floor. Hmmm...that's never happened before. As I get closer to him, I notice a heavy aroma of poop. Lovely. I decide to turn the light on, and we have a definite poop situation. I have a screaming, red-faced child, COVERED in poop. It was caked in his hair, all over his face, hands, legs, feet, etc. There was poop all over his sheet, blankie, stuffed animals. It was also ALL over the crib slats, with nice big pieces of poop on the ledge! Wonderful.

"Please Mother, it wasn't THAT bad"...


Umm, ACTUALLY, it was.

Poopy Pacie anyone?...

So I carefully picked up Mylo, as to not get ANY poop on myself. Straight to the bath we went, where he SCREAMED the entire time. Poor guy was SO tired and I'm sure EXHAUSTED from all that crying (and poop-slinging.) After I got him cleaned up with a DIAPER ON, we got into my bed with a book to relax. He snuggled up real close and fell asleep almost immediately. He NEVER does that, so I must say it was heavenly to be all snuggled up with my boy. But I of course couldn't relax so much thinking of all the POOP I had to clean up!

So, needless to say, I will MAKE SURE Mylo has PANTS on when I put him down! I didn't realize he could even take his own diaper off!

After this incident, I decided to consult my two favorite parenting books...Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth and Touchpoints by T. Berry Brazelton. BOTH books basically confirm that these sleep issues are a common phase for toddlers to go through around this age. They both suggest continuing your normal bedtime routine, and allowing your child to cry it out. Each night should get a little easier. Let's hope! Because listening to your baby cry for an hour is a little trying! (But how am I to know if he can't sleep because he's schmeared poop all over himself?!) Here's my favorite quote from Touchpoints...

"Putting a toddler to bed at this age is not for the fainthearted."

I concur.