Sleep

Estelle - posted on 05/14/2009

I feel your pain. I also have a 2 1/2 year old boy and he did exactly the same!! We packed up all the bottles and gave them to a friends' baby (which she kept for about 2 weeks), because babies needs bottles, and he is now a "big" boy. It took about 3 nights of explaining and trouble, but it was worth all the efforts! He sometimes sleeps through the night, but sometimes wakes at 2pm because of a dream or he is cold or just needs some comfort. I will stay at the end of the bed until he is asleep again (it takes about 5 minutes) and then go back to bed. I wish you the best of luck!!!

Heather - posted on 05/14/2009

Quoting Crystal:

You may want to speak to your child's doctor to figure out if there is anything "medically" wrong before you determine your child is purposely waking up that frequently. That said, it does not seem that a 2 1/2 yr old would NEED to wake that many times a night. I have a nearly 3 year old right now who would rather play than sleep, but once she is asleep, she rarely wakes up before morning. You NEED to break the bottle habit, regardless of the sleep issue. Does he only get the bottle at night? Maybe at his age, you can talk about how babies need bottles and big boys don't, and try to have him come up with the idea of getting rid of his bottles on his own (so that it was HIS decision...cuz chances are he will want one at some point later and you can simply remind him of his decision)..like giving his bottles to some babies somewhere or maybe leaving them out overnight fand the next day they are replaced by some "big boy cups" or have him pick out some new big boy cups at the store and "exchange" his bottles for the cups? ....does he want you when he wakes all those times or his bottle? If he wants YOU, maybe you can make a space in your room (not in your BED) for him to sleep. Then, if that works out, you can move him farther..like to his own room. It would help to know WHY he wakes up so much. Is it bad dreams? Habit? Maybe you can try talking to him during playtime to see what you can learn...play pretend and have him reenact going to bed or let him play the grown up and you play the child. You can learn a lot about how HE sees the world through pretend play. Don't take everything TOO literally, as I'm sure his imagination is sure to play a part more than his reality, but just try to pick up on some clues.
If you need any more ideas, I'd be happy to help if I can. (I have 4 little ones and know how difficult it can be getting little or no sleep.)

I really think Crystal nailed it I have an almost 4 year old and this is exactly the advice i would give! Good luck but definitly check out with the pediatrician to make sure its not medical then break the bad habits like the bottle which i know is hard to kick but you will love LOVE it when its gone!!! it will also help with potty training and night time wets!! Good luck!! and Get some sleep i do not miss sleepless nights you will have a full night sleep soon hang in there

Crystal - posted on 05/14/2009

You may want to speak to your child's doctor to figure out if there is anything "medically" wrong before you determine your child is purposely waking up that frequently. That said, it does not seem that a 2 1/2 yr old would NEED to wake that many times a night. I have a nearly 3 year old right now who would rather play than sleep, but once she is asleep, she rarely wakes up before morning. You NEED to break the bottle habit, regardless of the sleep issue. Does he only get the bottle at night? Maybe at his age, you can talk about how babies need bottles and big boys don't, and try to have him come up with the idea of getting rid of his bottles on his own (so that it was HIS decision...cuz chances are he will want one at some point later and you can simply remind him of his decision)..like giving his bottles to some babies somewhere or maybe leaving them out overnight fand the next day they are replaced by some "big boy cups" or have him pick out some new big boy cups at the store and "exchange" his bottles for the cups? ....does he want you when he wakes all those times or his bottle? If he wants YOU, maybe you can make a space in your room (not in your BED) for him to sleep. Then, if that works out, you can move him farther..like to his own room. It would help to know WHY he wakes up so much. Is it bad dreams? Habit? Maybe you can try talking to him during playtime to see what you can learn...play pretend and have him reenact going to bed or let him play the grown up and you play the child. You can learn a lot about how HE sees the world through pretend play. Don't take everything TOO literally, as I'm sure his imagination is sure to play a part more than his reality, but just try to pick up on some clues.

If you need any more ideas, I'd be happy to help if I can. (I have 4 little ones and know how difficult it can be getting little or no sleep.)