Sleep Issues

Jen - posted on 08/21/2010

Might want to take a look at "Good Night, Sleep Tight: The Sleep Lady's Gentle Guide to Helping Your Child Go to Sleep, Stay Asleep and Wake Up Happy" I have this book and use it as a reference. It talks about different sleep troubles based on age. She does talk about situations, just like you describe, where your little one keeps checking to make sure you are still there. She has her "Sleep Lady Shuffle" that is a 14 day way of helping your little one over come this. I used her suggestions and was able to get my son to sleep in his crib after he would only sleep in his swing for the first 5 months of his life. Now he sleeps through the night in his crib.. ok, most of the time. This past week he's been up in the middle of the night because he's walking but other than that, he's a great night time sleeper!! Hope this helps. Good luck. :)

Misty - posted on 08/20/2010

He may have an ear ache. I know mine are not comfortable doing anything at night when they have one. Has he started a milestone like walking? He may also be going through a growth spurt. Hoping it's just a phase for him though. Sorry I couldn't be more help. My Liberty does not sleep all night yet and won't just lie down in her criba nd go to sleep but I know what her deal is she want to be attached to momma lol

Kassi - posted on 08/19/2010

my son use to cry all the time when i would put him down but i knew that the longer i let him get up after i put him down that he'd just get harder and harder to get to sleep so when he was five months i would just let him cry himself to sleep at first it was super hard cuz he'd just cry but i'd check on him every fifteen minutes or so i would never pick him back up i'd just pat his back so he'd know i was there for a minute then leave him waiting twenty minutes before i'd go back in to check on him if he wasn't already sleeping... he started catching on that he wasn't gonna get out i'd always make sure though that he'd have his bottle and when he would wake up in the middle of the night i'd let him cry... i'd still make sure he has his bottle then just let him cry himself back to sleep... now when he's tried he doesn't like to cuddle anymore he prefers going to bed in his bed and he sleeps all night so that worked wonders for me... i know it sounds harsh but he loves going to bed now and i love it cuz i get my sleep at night too...

Laura - posted on 08/17/2010

What kind of bedtime routine do you have? I would suggest taking a look at what he is eating and his activity level before bedtime. I read "No-Cry Sleep Solution" and it's amazing how important keeping a low level of activity and light an hour before bedtime is. It could be that his little body just isn't ready for bed and is still wound up for activity. As for the middle of the night, I would think that he just needs re-training. Go to his room and get him settled again. To cover the noise of you leaving, try some white noise in the bedroom - a radio, fan or crib toy like Ocean Wonders.

I know it seems horrible now, but it won't last forever.