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Working PM shift and young kids

Jessica - posted on 11/17/2008 ( 6 moms have responded )

I work the PM shift at a hospital and have to come home to my 19 month old who wakes up around 12:30 am. I can easily put him back to sleep but then he wakes up about every hour thereafter! My husband works really early in the morning so I am usually the one getting up with my son. Although my husband does take a turn or 2 every night. It just gets really frustrating and tiring. My son has been doing this "routine" since birth. Any suggestions?

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Jessica - posted on 11/20/2008

Thanks Shannon! Ty has been having this problem for as long as I can remember and I even tried to lay him down for his normal routine nap and if I wasn't patting him he would lay there and cry (actually scream!). He may be just a difficult baby, but it would be nice to know! Although, my doctor doesn't seem too concerned.

Shannon - posted on 11/20/2008

Mine was the same way, and even the other night was up at 1am, 4am, and up for the day at 6am. I know he is teething. When he was a little younger we tried to let him cry it out...but it just didn't work. We finally talked to his doctor. He was diagnosed with reflux, which as we all know is worse at night. If it is pretty consistant, talk to his doctor. Reflux hurts and could be why he is having the problem.

Carolyn - posted on 11/19/2008

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My children are grown and in college now, but I would have to agree with Miriam. Be consistant with letting him cry himself to sleep or putting him right back to bed, it may mean doing it over and over again, but he'll soon see you are serious and and those are the rules.

Jessica - posted on 11/18/2008

I know I have to do this, but I think I need to take a few days off so I can nap during the days. I've tried to let him cry a few times (not consecutive days like I should) and he can last 2.5 hours! And he beat me! I guess I should say I lasted 2.5 hours, he was still crying! I have a 4 year old daughter and she was so easy, I've never had to go through this! Thanks for the advice ladies! I'll let you know how it turns out!

Amanda - posted on 11/18/2008

Let him cry... very difficult at first, but you are only doing him good. Every time that you put him back to sleep you are conditioning him. He knows that if he cries you will be there to put him back to sleep.
My daughter did this about a month ago and I was putting her back to sleep every night because it was easier than letting her cry (I work evening shift too). But, I finally let her cry it out and it took about 2 nights and she is once again sleeping the night away!!!

Miriam - posted on 11/18/2008

Let him cry it out! At this point there is no physical need for him to get up, he is just used to it. Time to break the habit. It may take quite awhile for him to fall asleep again the first few nights, but he'll soon figure it out! Good luck!