17 month old not sleeping

Belinda - posted on 02/04/2010

Hi Amanda, it could possibly be night terrors as she is fine when either me or my husband are in the room with her but then often cries again once we leave. She has however had a few nights of really good sleep and sleeps fine during the day when she has a nap.
We have had Ava in our room before to sleep but she isn't a settled sleeper and we keep each other awake.
I will have to have a look into it

Belinda - posted on 02/04/2010

Thanks Ladies, Ava has been teething she has her molars and almost all her other teeth too, we are just waiting for the eye teeth to come through.
She does sleep during the day fine though

Siobhan - posted on 02/04/2010

if you're truly worried about your 17 month old not sleeping, maybe you need to see the doc, just to rule out something like an ear infection...which they are more prone to during teething and at 17 months she should be teething her molars I beleive. Hope this helps.

Amanda - posted on 02/04/2010

I have 5 children and each and everyone at about 18 months did exactly the same thing, night terrors they call it, we ended up each time putting their cot in the corner of our room, normally until their about 3 years old, sleep at 6.30 wake at 6.00 never wake during the night. Apparently they can smell you and feel calm.. hope this helps worth a try... it worked for us..

September - posted on 02/04/2010

Is she teething? Going through a growth spurt? There could be all kinds of different reasons your 17 month old is not sleeping. I hope things get better soon and the both of you can get some rest :)

Kelly - posted on 02/04/2010

Could your 17 month old not be sleeping because of colic? Have you tried standing next to her while she is lying in the cot and gently patting her back or bottom? I know when I used to move my bub he would wake up almost immediately and it was really frustrating to think, "yes, finally asleep" only to have them wake when moved.

If it is colic causing your 17 month old to not sleep, try some wind drops or gripe water an also laying them on their back and while holding her ankles, genlty push her knees up to her tummy.

Belinda - posted on 02/04/2010

Thanks for your suggestions Kelly. Ava has a routine of having dinner at 5pm, then a bath with lavender at 5:30 and a bottle and bed at 6pm. We have tried altering her sleeping times but it has made no difference she will still wake during the night and cry and not settle down back to sleep. Like you suggested I have also been laying down with her on my chest and she will go to sleep but as soon as she is put back in her cot she will scream again.

Kelly - posted on 02/04/2010

I know its hard to deal with your 17 month old not sleeping, I have been there too. Trying lying down with her on your chest, breathing deep. Or rocking with her in a chair. Soothing music or a warm bath, with lavender. You need to set a routine and stick to it, there is no use changing it because it will confuse bubs. Maybe get some relaxation music and have it playing softly in the room. Also make sure that you are relaxed and calm yourself, as any tension you are feeling, your little one will be able to sense it and may be distressed as well. Keep up the good work and good luck :o)

Siobhan - posted on 02/04/2010

if you're truly worried about your 17 month old not sleeping, maybe you need to see the doc, just to rule out something like an ear infection...which they are more prone to during teething and at 17 months she should be teething her molars I beleive. Hope this helps.

Amanda - posted on 02/04/2010

I have 5 children and each and everyone at about 18 months did exactly the same thing, night terrors they call it, we ended up each time putting their cot in the corner of our room, normally until their about 3 years old, sleep at 6.30 wake at 6.00 never wake during the night. Apparently they can smell you and feel calm.. hope this helps worth a try... it worked for us..

September - posted on 02/04/2010

Is she teething? Going through a growth spurt? There could be all kinds of different reasons your 17 month old is not sleeping. I hope things get better soon and the both of you can get some rest :)

Kelly - posted on 02/04/2010

Could your 17 month old not be sleeping because of colic? Have you tried standing next to her while she is lying in the cot and gently patting her back or bottom? I know when I used to move my bub he would wake up almost immediately and it was really frustrating to think, "yes, finally asleep" only to have them wake when moved.

If it is colic causing your 17 month old to not sleep, try some wind drops or gripe water an also laying them on their back and while holding her ankles, genlty push her knees up to her tummy.

Kelly - posted on 02/04/2010

I know its hard to deal with your 17 month old not sleeping, I have been there too. Trying lying down with her on your chest, breathing deep. Or rocking with her in a chair. Soothing music or a warm bath, with lavender. You need to set a routine and stick to it, there is no use changing it because it will confuse bubs. Maybe get some relaxation music and have it playing softly in the room. Also make sure that you are relaxed and calm yourself, as any tension you are feeling, your little one will be able to sense it and may be distressed as well. Keep up the good work and good luck :o)