Sleep & Behavioral Issues

Courtney - posted on 03/17/2012

Hi i hope this helps, as ive struggled with this for many months and still learning.

My son was diagnosed with masto around 5 months, he is now almost 14 months and is just the happiest little man imaginable.. Considering his condition, He has his moments where he needs cuddles from his mum, he's very attached to me, I can't even go to the toilet without him standing at the door :)) but he handles it so well.. His masto has not had an affect on his behavior and as for development he was really good, he's a big boy so it took him a little longer to lift his body to crawl lol as for sleep, that has been the biggest struggle since he's been diagnosed. He used to toss and turn for ages just to try and get comfortable, he would be hot and itchy. It was heartbreaking to watch but I've gotten to learn about his needs a lot more, still struggling but where coping ok. Ryder sleeps with fans every night without fail, he NEVER wears clothes to bed or anywhere for that matter, I've found the best routine for him which may help, he has his dinner cooled to room temperature, anything hotter will trigger the masto, he plays then has a bath around 29*c he will then wear just his nappy for the rest of his play followed by a room temperature bottle as I put him to bed, now just before we lay down we wet his whole head, as that's his most irrated spot, as the fan cools him down I watch to see if he gets a little cold and may put a light blanket over his legs, but I always have a wet face washer incase he still tosses and turns after his bottle, that's how I know he's irrated, and yes he can carry on wen I rub the face washer over his back and legs but as soon as I stop you see the releaf in him..

He does still sleep in my bed, but this was such a struggle for us when he was younger and he needed a queen size mattress to toss and turn in, he was smashing into his cot and I just couldn't bare him upset, people say tough love but it's impossible with a child with masto, I will never allow him to scream so he can get irrated so I know it's my own fault but there special and need all our love and support. I really hope ive help in some way. Good luck with your little miracle :))

Brandi - posted on 09/25/2009

Hey Kelly! I definitely have noticed that my 3 year old daughter, Taryn, has sleep, behavioral and developmental issues. I really feel that its all masto related because when she has flare-ups from the masto. her pdd-nos (type of autism) gets worse. She was diagnosed with the masto. at 4 months old and then diagnosed with the pdd-nos in June of 2008. Whenever she gets upset or frustraited or too excited her masto. flares up also. Her sleep is very broken and she is up a ton of times at night, expecially when she has had a flare-up that day. I have also done some research and found that there is a doc. that seems to think there is a link between autism and masto., I completely agree with that because of my experiences with Taryn.

Jessica - posted on 09/24/2009

My daughter has sleep issues also.
She wakes up screaming and cryin and i was told it could be night terrors.
I never thought a 1 y.o had those...she's now 2 and she dont have them as much as she did..
Sometimes she can be a picky eater..but they say 2y/o's go thru that.

Kelly - posted on 06/29/2009

My son does have issues with eating. It's hard to say if it's his age or the masto, though. He also has food allergies on top of the masto. He used to be a good eater until he was started on solids.

Dee - posted on 06/18/2009

My son is 7 months old ans was just diagnosted last month. Everyone comments how hard he fights sleep and how quickly he gets frustrated with things. I have no idea what is in store for him/us, but it is good to know others have lived through this and we will too.

Jennifer - posted on 05/06/2009

my daughter also has sleep problems, behavioral, and she has had a few developmental issues.. She also was born 12 weeks prematurely, which may influence some of these issues, but i have also too wondered if all these were related to Masto.Do you also have problems with your child eating?

Tiffany - posted on 03/01/2009

I don't know if they are linked but my masto boy has issues with sleep. Now 4 years old he still can't sleep through the night