Maybe you know this situation: for months, it was unthinkable for your child to be put to bed by anyone other than you. And then \u2013 suddenly \u2013 it works. Or maybe not..
\nSometimes it\u2019s a surprising breakthrough, sometimes a frustrating experience for everyone involved.
\n\nWhy this happens can be explained \u2013 and it has a lot to do with attachment, habit, and development.
\n\nAttachment is the key
\nBabies and toddlers strongly orient their behavior around their primary caregivers.
\nFor many children \u2013 especially in the first months of life \u2013 this is the mother.
\nBut that doesn\u2019t mean that dad is less important.
\nIt simply means that your child has linked a very strong bedtime ritual with you (often the person who provides the most closeness and care).
\n\nWhen dad takes over, it\u2019s unfamiliar at first for your child.
\nIt can be unsettling because the usual \u201cfalling asleep strategy\u201d is missing.
\nBut this is exactly where the learning process begins: children can also fall asleep with dad \u2013 sometimes even faster when they realize that the routines are similar and reliable.
\n\nWhy it suddenly works
\nThere are several reasons why it works all of a sudden:
\n\n1. Getting used to dad\u2019s rituals
\nThe more often dad takes over the evening routine, the more familiar it becomes for your child.
\nRoutines provide security \u2013 regardless of who carries them out.
\n\n2. Developmental maturity
\nAs your child gets older, they become more flexible in handling changes.
\nThey can better understand: \u201cDad is putting me to bed today, but mom is still here.\u201d
\n\n3. New experiences of security
\nWhen dad comforts, plays, feeds, or offers closeness during the day or on other occasions, it strengthens trust in him for bedtime as well.
\n\nWhy it sometimes doesn\u2019t work
\nSometimes there are setbacks despite all efforts \u2013 even if it has worked before.
\n\n\u2013 Separation phases: During times when children are especially clingy (e.g., around the 8th\u201310th month or during the toddler \u201cno\u201d phase), they may want only mom to put them to bed again.
\n\u2013 Changes in daily life: Starting daycare, vacations, illness \u2013 all of this can disrupt the bedtime process significantly.
\n\u2013 Sleep associations: If your child strongly associates falling asleep with nursing, being carried, or a specific person, it\u2019s harder to change that habit.
\n\nWhat can help
\n\u2013 Let dad regularly take over the evening routine \u2013 not just when it\u2019s absolutely necessary.
\n\u2013 Keep the process as similar as possible, no matter who puts the child to bed.
\n\u2013 Give your child time to get used to the new situation.
\n\u2013 Avoid evening arguments \u2013 a calm, clear routine is most comfortable for children.
\n\nConclusion
\nWhether dad can put your child to bed depends less on his \u201cability\u201d and more on how familiar and safe your child experiences the situation.
\nWith patience, consistency, and lots of closeness, this transition can succeed \u2013 and be a relief for everyone.
\n\nIf you\u2019d like to know how to make the change gentle without it becoming a stressful situation for your child, feel free to reach out to me.
\nTogether we\u2019ll find a way that works for your family \u2013 so that dad can also put your child to bed calmly.
<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Vielleicht kennst du das: Monatelang war es f\u00fcr dein Kind undenkbar, dass jemand anderes als du es ins Bett bringt.Und dann \u2013 pl\u00f6tzlich \u2013 klappt es. Oder auch nicht.Manchmal ist es ein \u00fcberraschender Durchbruch, manchmal aber auch eine frustrierende Erfahrung f\u00fcr alle Beteiligten. Warum das so ist, l\u00e4sst sich erkl\u00e4ren \u2013 und es hat viel […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1073,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allgemein"],"yoast_head":"\n