Bad sleeper!!!!!

Jinnie - posted on 04/05/2013

He isn't a bad sleeper, sounds like this will be his normal pattern. Now if he was getting less than 6 hours a night and not taking naps, I would recommend talking to his pediatrician. If he is getting that much sleep but waking up several times a night, maybe you're dressing him too warmly or maybe (if you're using one) the night light or any music or whatever needs to be turned off. Also make sure there are no toys in the bed or attached to the crib-he's ready to start learning that bed is where you sleep, not play. Also, you might want to keep him up a little later if you are wanting him to sleep later- we had to do that with my son, but mainly b/c we felt like we hardly got to see him during the week. When we got off work at 5 & after dinner, baths, & cleaning up, 8 PM was too early, so we moved his bed time to 8:30 or 9. He slept until 6:30. I would get myself up & dressed first so I could focus completely on him when it was time to feed him & get him dressed. When my oldest was a baby, the childcare provider would try to make her stay in bed even after she woke up & she would fall back asleep for a couple more hours, then she wouldn't sleep at night. That sucked. So we talked her into just giving her books, crayons & paper, or puzzles if she woke up before nap time was over. Made us all a lot more happy & comfortable.

Jinnie - posted on 04/05/2013

I'm sorry I don't see the problem here. If he's sleeping 8-10 hours a night, that's good! And a 1 to 2 hour nap a day is just fine at 17 months.

Miriam - posted on 05/24/2012

LOL.. love it.. I completely agree, thats why I just put up with it and smile as I love my boys at midnight and at 3 a.m. and as we get up at 530!!! :)
one day they will sleep.

Miriam - posted on 05/24/2012

I have 16 month old twin boys that have never slept through the night, the most they have ever slept in a row are 5 hrs. they want milk at night! we have a good routine as well and now sometimes they take 2 hour hour and 1/2 naps sometimes just one anywhere from 1-2 hours. :(
Im just hoping and praying that it happens someday SOON!!!
Good luck to you as well!1

Megan - posted on 05/30/2011

My sons were never good sleepers either. I don't know where people get babies that sleep through the night at 6 weeks old, etc. My first son did at 9 months and my second son is 22 months and still isn't! Both of my boys are very active and would rather be up and doing something than wasting their time sleeping....and they love to learn! My brother was the worst sleeper in my family and he is a doctor now. I still want another child...maybe #3 will be the good sleeper???

Rebecca - posted on 01/29/2009

My little girl is 16 months. She goes to bed at 8:00 and she is up by 6:30. Im lucky if she takes her 2 hour nap during the day. Do you stay at home with him? If so take naps when he takes naps. Believe me I do!

Kasi - posted on 01/29/2009

MY FIRST SON IS 3 AND HE STILL ONLY SLEEPS ABOUT 4-6 HRS A NIGHT. SO 8-10 IS DOING PRETTY GOOD FOR MOST NIGHT. HE WOULD ONLY SLEEP FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS A NIGHT WHEN HE WAS A BABY TILL HE WAS ABOUT 1 AND A HALF. SO NOW IM HAPPY WITH A FEW MORE HOURS. I WAS NOT GOING TO HAVE ANYMORE EITHER AND WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT AGAIN I DIDNT KNOW IF I SHOULD BE HAPPY OR SCARED ID NEVER SLEEP AGAIN. LET ME TELL YOU THOUGH THIS BABY SLEPT ALL NIGHT FROM THE DAY HE WAS BORN. NO KIDDING! SO I STILL HAVE ONE THAT DOESNT SLEEP AND ONE THAT DOES, BUT DONT GIVE UP IT GETS BETTER AS THEY GET OLDER. I PROMISE!

Christine - posted on 01/29/2009

Hey Erin ,its me again .It sounds like you are having the same problem I had.My son got up every night at leat once some times more and he is almost three.Finally I had enough,there is nothing wrong with them.My friend told me to just let them cry it out, so I tried it.The first night before bed I wuld give him his milk then before we went up to bed and during the day I just started telling him when you wake up in the middle of the night.Mommy is  not coming,just go back to sleep.Well the first night was aweful.he cired and screamed for quite awhile.but the next night  was less and less.It took about a week but ow he sleeps throught  the night.It was really hard,we had to wear ear plugs,but it did get better.I know you dont want him to scream and cry but you need to get control back.He is in control riight now.But once you start you cannot give in.Good luck let me know what happens.I just went through it,if you have to cry too,it is defanetly not easy.But finally I have been having a little more sleep.

Christine - posted on 01/29/2009

Hey Erin ,its me again .It sounds like you are having the same problem I had.My son got up every night at leat once some times more and he is almost three.Finally I had enough,there is nothing wrong with them.My friend told me to just let them cry it out, so I tried it.The first night before bed I wuld give him his milk then before we went up to bed and during the day I just started telling him when you wake up in the middle of the night.Mommy is  not coming,just go back to sleep.Well the first night was aweful.he cired and screamed for quite awhile.but the next night  was less and less.It took about a week but ow he sleeps throught  the night.It was really hard,we had to wear ear plugs,but it did get better.I know you dont want him to scream and cry but you need to get control back.He is in control riight now.But once you start you cannot give in.Good luck let me know what happens.I just went through it,if you have to cry too,it is defanetly not easy.But finally I have been having a little more sleep.

Kathryn - posted on 01/29/2009

The baby wise books are crap, you have to be willing to listen to them cry and you have to realize that it will pass, 5 or 6 years from now you will not be able to wake them up. No one ever said that being a mom would be fun or full of rest, it is just part of it.  If you cannot handle the lack of sleep than DO NOT have another because the oldest will not let the first one sleep and you will be a yo-yo all night back and forth between the two.  It's time to suck it up, this is what we signd up for

Kathryn - posted on 01/29/2009

No offense, but how much sleep do you want???  Don't feel alone, but you have to accept his routine, some kids don't sleep as much as others.  Be forward thinking, he is a motivated child so find ways to challenge and teach him, if you cannot exhaust him physically try for mentally.  But you might just have to accept the fact that he will only sleep that much, which in all honesty isn't that bad.  Trust me, if he does start sleeping through the night, you will still wake up.  It is sad to say, but once you have kids, sleep  - for you at least - goes out the window.

Christine - posted on 01/29/2009

Hi I have a 2 year ols almost three and he is just now sleeping through the night.We just let him cry it out a few nights. It was hard but seemed to work.ALso try calling Helen sands the sleep specialist Ive heard wonderful things about her.www.hushababy.com

Christine - posted on 01/29/2009

Hi I have a 2 year ols almost three and he is just now sleeping through the night.We just let him cry it out a few nights. It was hard but seemed to work.ALso try calling Helen sands the sleep specialist Ive heard wonderful things about her.www.hushababy.com

Nichole - posted on 01/29/2009

You know I've been thinking....my son has had around 10 ear infections, so what can expect from him.  About every other month he has had one.  And if it's not that he's teething or he's had RSV.  One thing after another and it is still continuing. He has ear infections now and is popping 2 teeth!  I need to just slow down and try to wait it out.  He is only young once.  I'm sure he won't be like this when he's 16 :)  I need to be there for him, especially since he has been so sick.  I am going to try some of the things people have mentioned and see if they help.  Otherwise I will just enjoy the once or twice a week that he does sleep thru the night, when he isn't sick or teething.  I thought that putting in ear tubes would really help but he has still been getting up every night since those were put in.  I can just hope and pray that it will get better and that God will give me all the strength and patience throughout my days.  Thanks again everyone for all the help.

Erin - posted on 01/29/2009

I am having the exact same problem with my 15 month old son. I'm going crazy! He wakes up about 5 times a night and screams and yells for Mommy and Daddy until one of us comes in. We've tried everything.....we heard Passionfruit juice helps kids to sleep better and tried it last night with no luck, we're going to increase the amount tonight and see if it does any good. We've also tried putting books in his crib because he loves looking at them, but he just ignores them and yells for us. When we go in there he doesn't want anything but hugs and for me to rub his face until he falls back asleep, which usually takes half an hour; and he usually notices when I'm sneaking out. I feel like I haven't slept in weeks. I try to take naps during the day, but it's still not making up for how much I'm awake at night. People tell me to let him cry, and I'm all for it, but he can outlast me, he's gone for more than 2 hours before! I'm at a loss too. But you're definately not alone, let me know if you find anything that works.....we're desperate.

Julie - posted on 01/28/2009

Helo Nichole,

I have 2 kids, 2,5 and 1y. with totally different attitude to sleep. The first one slept 8 continous hours in his 4-5 months, the 2nd one is still waking up to turn side, or he needs ... sssssssssssshhhhhhhh, however he finally manages to sleep 10h at night. I recently slept 8 continous hors myself! when he was younger, i was holding him when crying at nihgt, trying to calm him, got him out of bed etc I think that this was wrong....he just needs a blanket more or less, or help him change side, or even change pads (slowly by slowly, not to wake him up completely...), and alot of SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH....these about my kids...i know that sooner or later you;ll find the way with yours. People who say those exteme thing such as "my child?he never cried!!!!" , or "my child? he slept from 1 m. for 10 h", or later "my child? he was always doing what i was telling him!", or even "my child? he was going to the toilet alone from 1,5!!!!!!!!"...they have forgotten how kids are....when the years pass we tend to forget the "bad" things about them....check yourself:you havent slept for more than 3 h, then you and the baby wake up, you play, he smiles,..............and you say: Oh what a wonderful day we had....he;s such a good boy!!!!!!!!!!

Dont listen to anyone....babies cry, dont sleep, have shit and pipi....but they are so adorable....DO have another one...it ;ll be easier and you cant imagine ...they do play together and leave you 10 min to have a cup of coffee!!!!!!!!!!!

Julie Drouga

Athens

Penny - posted on 01/28/2009

Do you let him fall asleep on his own or do you rock him to sleep? My daughter doesn't sleep through the night very often and mostly because she has teeth coming in. Does your son have teeth coming in???

Ellen - posted on 01/28/2009

just in case the link didn't load properly:
http://www.babywhispererforums.com/index...

Ellen - posted on 01/28/2009

Hi Nicole. if you've tried CIO and aren't going to re-examine it after reading Ferber's book, then check this out:

Obsessing as I usually do about sleep, I came across this whole thread chronicling a gentler pick-up/put-down (PU/PD) method of sleep training. What's great is it the mom doing it reports how it all works, and another mom is giving her advice along the way! It's worth reading through all 4 pages if you do not want to do a Cry it Out (CIO) or Check & Console (CC). It's a commitment, but it's great to see a real world example of it working! http://www.babywhispererforums.com/index...

I've heard that with CIO methods like Ferber that consistency is key, and giving in even one time can cause regression. Especially since your son is older, he has a mind of his own & will be able to cry a looong time (and it feels like forever even if it's only 10 min - I know!). Also, the Ferber book could help you figure out if he might be waking up a lot because of another problem like night terrors, etc. We took our DD to the pedi before we did any sleep training. She is small, so she still needs to eat 1 - 2x/night. Still, that's such a big improvement from 4-6 times and we're happy!

Wishing you all sweet dreams soon!

Joanne - posted on 01/28/2009

Hi there, the best advice i can give you is to go out and purchase a book called 'save our sleep' by tizzie hall.

My son went onto her routine from 5 weeks old and slept through the night from 8 weeks on. He is now 7 months and still sleeps 7pm-7am. He also has two day sleeps. Though for your son at his age he would probably only need one day sleep and maybe a nap.  I promise you that you will not look back once you follow this book as it explains everything about sleep and sleeping habits and it will teach you how to get your dream sleeper!!

It was recommended to me by two friends and now my whole mothers group follows the same book and all their babies sleep 7-7 too. It is a really easy problem to fix once you know a few little tricks of the trade - I promise you you wont regret it - words cannot express just what a life saver this book is... there is even a group on face book called 'save our sleep saved my sanity' there are hundreds of members who all agree that this book should be given to mothers when they leave the hospital after giving birth!!!

Carlie - posted on 01/28/2009

hi that sounds like my son leo who is 7 months old now and never sleep thru then night , what i am doin at the mo is, leo gose to bed at 7 so he has a bottle to go to bed then i wake him at 10 for a bottle then if he wakes any time from the 10 o'clock bottle till 6 i will give him water, i have been doing this for 4 days now and he was waking 3 times, between 10 and 6 and now on his 4 and 5 night he has woke 1s, so im hoping that he will not wake next week, i dont no if that helps xxxx

Kerri - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting Nichole:

Bad sleeper!!!!!

I am so frustrated!! My son has been a terrible sleeper since day 1. My son is

 

 

Well my babie is now 10 months and i have the worst nights sleep ever. he has never been great untill now lol. before he was waking at different periods every night. some nights would go down at9/10pm and wake up every 1/2 hour-1 till about 3 and then was up at 5 am. othjer nights he would wake up bout every 2 hours all trough the night. so was so exausted as it takes me a little while to get back to sleep after hes gone down. and some nights would be rocking him for 3 hours at a time because every time i tried to put him down he would wake up and scream. but i realised the problem lied with me and not him. since he was born i have fed and rocked him him 2 sleep.  and i aways have i did it with my first as i have 2 with no problems. so i realised when he wakes up in the night be it even jus a little as he is always half asleep he expects me 2 get him back to sleep because thats all he knows. i wake call 4 mummy she gets me to sleep. be it over the top mothers instinct thats jus what i did. i have only just realised this. my thinking was right if i start by giving him his bottle (stil having that bond) and putting him dowm awke. and letting him start to learn its ok to go to sleep by myself.  obviously the first few times he cried a little but thats because its new to him. but i was amased the first time i tried in the affternoon and he cried for about 5 mins and then nothing. i was like omg why didnt i do this before. as i would be rocking him for at least half hour. then i tried it that night to and the same thing cried for 5 mins and went to sleep. but the best thing of all is he woke twice in the night that i know about lol and did the same. dont get me wrong i would never turn off my moniter and ignore him at al!!! i stood very close by and had at time limit of 10 mins but it never got that far. now he sleeps right through waking maybe once or twice but getting himself back 2 sleep right away. obviously i wake when he does but i dont have 3 hours of rocking to do any more yey!!!! so anyway my advice is dont be scared to leave them for a short time maybe 10 mkins maximum jus to see if they can do it alone. because it wont do them any harm and they need to learn how to get them selves back to sleep with out comforting. because when they r older they are still going to want that comfort to get to sleep because thats all they know. dont get me wrong i wouldnt advis this for a small baby and was hesitant with mine at 10 months as i did not need to do this with my eldest till he was over 1. but anyway as i said i have 2 my eldest is 3 and i used this method with him. i could not ask for a better sleeper every1 is amased with how godd he is. he will go 2 bed at 6 pm. and stay in bed till he falls asleep and sleeps right through till 6am. its great and if he does wake i take him back to bed and tuck him in with no problems. it has been two weeks now with my youngest and he is now starting to do the same. all babies are different and take different times to adjust but just be patiant and constant. they will get there eventually. but you must be consistant because if you give them mixed messages they will not know what they are surposed to be doing. aahhhh breath lol. x x

0 hours at night and usually 1 nap for about 1-2 hours tops. I don't know what to do anymore. We have a really good routine down but it changes here and there with his terrible sleeping. Does anyone else have this problem? I would also love some help, if anyone has any suggestions. I just feel so alone. I hate it because everyone always tells me that their child slept thru the night at 1 month or something rediculous. Having such a bad sleeper makes me never want another child. Reply with quote

Kerri - posted on 01/28/2009

Well my babie is now 10 months and i have the worst nights sleep ever. he has never been great untill now lol. before he was waking at different periods every night. some nights would go down at9/10pm and wake up every 1/2 hour-1 till about 3 and then was up at 5 am. othjer nights he would wake up bout every 2 hours all trough the night. so was so exausted as it takes me a little while to get back to sleep after hes gone down. and some nights would be rocking him for 3 hours at a time because every time i tried to put him down he would wake up and scream. but i realised the problem lied with me and not him. since he was born i have fed and rocked him him 2 sleep.  and i aways have i did it with my first as i have 2 with no problems. so i realised when he wakes up in the night be it even jus a little as he is always half asleep he expects me 2 get him back to sleep because thats all he knows. i wake call 4 mummy she gets me to sleep. be it over the top mothers instinct thats jus what i did. i have only just realised this. my thinking was right if i start by giving him his bottle (stil having that bond) and putting him dowm awke. and letting him start to learn its ok to go to sleep by myself.  obviously the first few times he cried a little but thats because its new to him. but i was amased the first time i tried in the affternoon and he cried for about 5 mins and then nothing. i was like omg why didnt i do this before. as i would be rocking him for at least half hour. then i tried it that night to and the same thing cried for 5 mins and went to sleep. but the best thing of all is he woke twice in the night that i know about lol and did the same. dont get me wrong i would never turn off my moniter and ignore him at al!!! i stood very close by and had at time limit of 10 mins but it never got that far. now he sleeps right through waking maybe once or twice but getting himself back 2 sleep right away. obviously i wake when he does but i dont have 3 hours of rocking to do any more yey!!!! so anyway my advice is dont be scared to leave them for a short time maybe 10 mkins maximum jus to see if they can do it alone. because it wont do them any harm and they need to learn how to get them selves back to sleep with out comforting. because when they r older they are still going to want that comfort to get to sleep because thats all they know. dont get me wrong i wouldnt advis this for a small baby and was hesitant with mine at 10 months as i did not need to do this with my eldest till he was over 1. but anyway as i said i have 2 my eldest is 3 and i used this method with him. i could not ask for a better sleeper every1 is amased with how godd he is. he will go 2 bed at 6 pm. and stay in bed till he falls asleep and sleeps right through till 6am. its great and if he does wake i take him back to bed and tuck him in with no problems. it has been two weeks now with my youngest and he is now starting to do the same. all babies are different and take different times to adjust but just be patiant and constant. they will get there eventually. but you must be consistant because if you give them mixed messages they will not know what they are surposed to be doing. aahhhh breath lol. x x

Alodie - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting Malerie:

Quoting Cindy:

If you are getting 5 hours it's normal.  Anyone who's child is "sleeping through the night" either does not hear their child stir or ignores them.  I have a 2+ year old who sleeps 5-6 hours at night, gets up plays for an hour or might turn on a TV, then he falls back to sleep.  My little bundle (6months) gets up every 2 hours.

You can try setting a later bed time, leaving a bottle of water with them in bed, try whitenoise.  Try feeding him pablum 1/2 hour before bed, that way he is not hungry.

Or, if you have a great family, sleep overs.  You send your munchkin over to a family members home for a night - with out you.  Consider it a recharge.  You just might find that you are so attached to your baby that you wake up with out him there and go check on him.  It's really funny.  You might find that you just love each other so much that he wimpers and you run.

 

Good luck.

I think it is wrong of you to say that people who have children who sleep through the night either dont hear their kids or ignore them. My eldest is a bad sleeper but I can honestly say my younger two kids sleep through the night. My second child sleeps 9-10 hours and my youngest even sleeps 12 to 13 hours a night at 6 months old. I was a light sleeper before I have kids but since having kids the slightest sound from any of their rooms wakes me up. Plus being up with my eldest I am up alot during the night and have a chance to hear my younger kids but I dont. If on the rare night my younger kids do wake up because of teething or something I dont ignore them. Its not fair to say that other mums must be lying. Some kids just sleep good and some dont.

Thank you Malerie!!  Our daughter most definitely has been sleeping through the night from about 18mos until now (almost 3).  She does not wake up in the middle of the night to play she is still in a crib so if she wakes she cries and I am a very, very light sleeper.  For the past year she has pretty much been going to bed at 9pm and wakes up ~7:30-8am. 

Kids DO sleep through the night.  Some kids are just able to sooth themselves and can put themselves to sleep if they happen to wake up at night.  Other kids need a little reassurance that their parents are there and will cry out. 

My daughter ran into a really bad patch of sleep from around 15mos-18mos.  She was waking up in the middle of the night so I would bring her in to bed with us.  I finally just had to stop bringing her into bed with us b/c I couldn't sleep with her kicking. 

I finally changed HOW I was putting her to bed.  I was rocking her until she was fully asleep then putting her to bed.  I changed our routine to reading 1 book to her and then putting her to bed still fully awake.  Yes, it took a few nights of her crying herself to sleep but since then she has been a wonderful sleeper.  I'm not sure how you are putting your son to sleep?  If you are rocking him to sleep then putting him in his crib you may try what I did.

Malerie - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting Cindy:

If you are getting 5 hours it's normal.  Anyone who's child is "sleeping through the night" either does not hear their child stir or ignores them.  I have a 2+ year old who sleeps 5-6 hours at night, gets up plays for an hour or might turn on a TV, then he falls back to sleep.  My little bundle (6months) gets up every 2 hours.

You can try setting a later bed time, leaving a bottle of water with them in bed, try whitenoise.  Try feeding him pablum 1/2 hour before bed, that way he is not hungry.

Or, if you have a great family, sleep overs.  You send your munchkin over to a family members home for a night - with out you.  Consider it a recharge.  You just might find that you are so attached to your baby that you wake up with out him there and go check on him.  It's really funny.  You might find that you just love each other so much that he wimpers and you run.

 

Good luck.

I think it is wrong of you to say that people who have children who sleep through the night either dont hear their kids or ignore them. My eldest is a bad sleeper but I can honestly say my younger two kids sleep through the night. My second child sleeps 9-10 hours and my youngest even sleeps 12 to 13 hours a night at 6 months old. I was a light sleeper before I have kids but since having kids the slightest sound from any of their rooms wakes me up. Plus being up with my eldest I am up alot during the night and have a chance to hear my younger kids but I dont. If on the rare night my younger kids do wake up because of teething or something I dont ignore them. Its not fair to say that other mums must be lying. Some kids just sleep good and some dont.

Elizabeth - posted on 01/28/2009

Wow, I feel for so many of you. My daughter (11 months) sleeps 11 to 12 hours at night (9 to 9) and started early. She also naps 3 hours during the day. I have always just allowed her to decided what she wants and that is her pattern. She does wake up in the middle of the night sometimes and plays but goes back to sleep on her own. She will only cry if she has a poopy diaper. She has a lovey that she will not go to sleep without, so maybe that is it. Our routine is she finishes her milk, I put her in the crib awake (but sleepy), give her her lovey and leave. She goes right to sleep. I also have a nature noise radio in her room that is always on. When she was younger I had a music/light up fish aquarium that I would turn on and she would watch till she feel asleep (a life saver). I hope you all figure out what is best for you and your family. Good luck.

Heidi - posted on 01/28/2009

I hope it works for you. Initially, we were like you putting her to bed between 7 and 8pm and waking up for the day at 5am. Now she is in bed between 6 and 7pm (usually closer to 6:30pm) and is waking up between 6 and 6:30am. It's wonderful. I know it sounds strange that putting your LO to bed earlier will make them sleep longer and I was skeptical myself but it worked for us. Please let me know how it goes.



Heidi

Nichole - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting ashley:

DOnt let people worry you..SOme kids are so overly stimulated they never enjoy sleep.. Read above the lady whose 2 year old just strted sleeping.. Thats right.. SOme kids arnt great sleepers.. Mine slep thru thru the night last night first time since teething and it was 12 -7.. that was good for us.. Ill take what I can get.....she ll get there

Thanks for all your input.  At least I know there are other people out there with the same issues! :)

Nichole - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting Heidi:

What time does your little one go to sleep at night? My daughter is 5 months old and she was having the same problem. She was sleeping 8-10 hours waking up once but not really wanting to eat or anything. In the morning she was cranky and still visible tired. It was suggested to me that I try putting her to bed a little bit earlier and within a week she began sleeping straight through the night for 11 or 12 hours. It's worth a try. Good luck.

Heidi

I usually have him in bed between 7-8pm.  And it never fails he is up by 5am.  Even if he does go to bed later (9ish).  But there are those interuptions at night that make him grumpy.  I will give that a try.  But most nights he is so crabby and tired that he will just fall asleep.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Thanks for the help. 

Heidi - posted on 01/28/2009

What time does your little one go to sleep at night? My daughter is 5 months old and she was having the same problem. She was sleeping 8-10 hours waking up once but not really wanting to eat or anything. In the morning she was cranky and still visible tired. It was suggested to me that I try putting her to bed a little bit earlier and within a week she began sleeping straight through the night for 11 or 12 hours. It's worth a try. Good luck.



Heidi

Cindy - posted on 01/28/2009

If you are getting 5 hours it's normal.  Anyone who's child is "sleeping through the night" either does not hear their child stir or ignores them.  I have a 2+ year old who sleeps 5-6 hours at night, gets up plays for an hour or might turn on a TV, then he falls back to sleep.  My little bundle (6months) gets up every 2 hours.

You can try setting a later bed time, leaving a bottle of water with them in bed, try whitenoise.  Try feeding him pablum 1/2 hour before bed, that way he is not hungry.

Or, if you have a great family, sleep overs.  You send your munchkin over to a family members home for a night - with out you.  Consider it a recharge.  You just might find that you are so attached to your baby that you wake up with out him there and go check on him.  It's really funny.  You might find that you just love each other so much that he wimpers and you run.

Good luck.

Melanie - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting Nichole:

Bad sleeper!!!!!

I am so frustrated!! My son has been a terrible sleeper since day 1. My son is 17 months old and is still not sleeping thru the night, most nights! I am exahusted and so is he. At most he will only sleep betwen 8-10 hours at night and usually 1 nap for about 1-2 hours tops. I don't know what to do anymore. We have a really good routine down but it changes here and there with his terrible sleeping. Does anyone else have this problem? I would also love some help, if anyone has any suggestions. I just feel so alone. I hate it because everyone always tells me that their child slept thru the night at 1 month or something rediculous. Having such a bad sleeper makes me never want another child. Reply with quote

Hi, I had a very similar problem with my son. U need to get a book called Silent Nights written by Bryan Symons. Read it and stick to it. It is tough love but u can do it, i did!! Goodluck

Ashley - posted on 01/28/2009

DOnt let people worry you..SOme kids are so overly stimulated they never enjoy sleep.. Read above the lady whose 2 year old just strted sleeping.. Thats right.. SOme kids arnt great sleepers.. Mine slep thru thru the night last night first time since teething and it was 12 -7.. that was good for us.. Ill take what I can get.....she ll get there

Malerie - posted on 01/27/2009

My eldest has just turned four in december. He still doesnt sleep through the night, getting up about 5 or 6 times in 9 hours. He cut out his day time nap at 18 months. I read every sleeping book and called help lines to get ideas and I tried every idea I was told. None of them worked. Then I cut out all colours, flavours and preservatives from my kids food. He went from waking up 8 or 9 times to the 5 or 6 it is now. I also talked to my doctor. My son's tonsils when they are normal are this huge round ball that sits on his tounge blocking half his throat. Sometimes while sleeping the tounge rolls back to the throat and with his tonsils blocking the other half he stops breathing and wakes himself up. They wont take his tonsils out till he has tonsilitis 4 times in 12 months. Try different sleep methods and if they dont work then get your child checked out, it may be a medical reason.

Heather - posted on 01/27/2009

My daughter has never slep all through the night and she is now 20 months. She slept in my bed until a week ago which meant I got a bit more sleep but now I am pregnant I need my bed back. I have moved her cot right next to my bed and now she wakes up once in the night and I just lay her down and she goes back to sleep. I put her to bed at 7pm, she wakes up about 2ish, put her back down and then that's her till about 6 or 7am (7 if I am very lucky...lol).  I think you just have to try several things and see what works for you....some people get them sleeping in their own big boy or girl bed and get the child to help pick out duvet covers etc which helps them feel more in control....I really hope you find a solution that works for you. Please don't let it put you off having more kids as every child is different and they say the 2nd is easier...Good luck hun, let us know how you get on.xx

Jessica - posted on 01/27/2009

Read a sleep book or two and do what they say.  Very hard for a night or two than easy.

I have three kids and had 1 week of sleepness nights due to bad parenting before I read a sleeping book.  After reading the sleep book I fed my first baby once a night for a week. My second baby slept 12 hour a night from the start thanks to the sleep books. My third and smallest baby had a 10 minute night feed for the first two months. But that was my choice as he is my last and I wanted alone time with him.

Tina - posted on 01/27/2009

I highly recommend a book called Save our Sleep. My son was waking up 1, 2 and sometimes 3 times every night and it was killing me!! Eventhough he was getting 8 - 10 hours sleep it was disturbed sleep and he was still tired during the day. I read one and a half paragraphs of this book and after 3 nights of implementing the suggested sleep strategy he was going to bed without a problem and was sleeping 10 - 12 hours straight every night. I couldn't believe it. My son was 20 months when i did this. The book has routines for babies from birth to 2 years and includes routines for twins, triplets,  etc. I hope this is helpful for you. Good Luck.......

Nichole - posted on 01/27/2009

No!  He is getting up 2-4 times a night with a total of usually 8-10 hours.

Jennifer - posted on 01/27/2009

Quoting Nichole:

Bad sleeper!!!!!

I am so frustrated!! My son has been a terrible sleeper since day 1. My son is 17 months old and is still not sleeping thru the night, most nights! I am exahusted and so is he. At most he will only sleep betwen 8-10 hours at night and usually 1 nap for about 1-2 hours tops. I don't know what to do anymore. We have a really good routine down but it changes here and there with his terrible sleeping. Does anyone else have this problem? I would also love some help, if anyone has any suggestions. I just feel so alone. I hate it because everyone always tells me that their child slept thru the night at 1 month or something rediculous. Having such a bad sleeper makes me never want another child. Reply with quote                                                                                                                                                        

    Maybe trying to lay your tot down earlier for their nap and eat dinner a little later then usual! Goog Luck

Jennifer - posted on 01/27/2009

My daughter didn't sleep more than 2 hours at a time until she was 2 1/2. I had been asking our family doctor about it since she was six months old. I was so sleep deprived that I got no more than 2 - 4 hours of sleep for a night. I cried all the time and was frustrated at her almost constantly. It really was an unfair reaction on my part but I was too tired to see it that way.

Our doctor told me to stop giving her bottles at night and I did. Then they said to cut out bottles all together...that didn't help either. Finally, we got a diagnosis of night terrors. They would not diagnose her with this before she was two but her behavior at night was the same as when she was six months. She would scream and have no idea who I was or allow me to hold her. We would have to undress her completely and put cool wash cloths on her until she woke up. It has taken three years but we have some solutions that work for her. I have found that when she is over tired she wakes more. I cut out her naps when she was 2 1/2 and just put her to bed a little earlier. This helps too but it makes for a cranky little one at supper time.

Some nights she sleep and others she has these night terrors. It is frustrating but you are not alone. Please remember that not all children have the same issues...my oldest has slept well through the night since he was 1 week old. My youngest who is 7 months wakes some nights and not other. Best of luck.

Jess - posted on 01/27/2009

8-10 hours IS sleeping through the night!?!

Nichole - posted on 01/27/2009

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone so far.  All of your input has helped.  I also wanted to add that we have to the CIO thing and it did not work at all.  We did it for 2 straight weeks and all it did for us was make our son completely terrified of his crib.  So I will not do that again!  He does sleep in his own room and occasionally we will put him in our bed but most of the time we still don't get much sleep.  (mainly due in part to the fact that he is all over in bed!)  One thing I should add is that my son has had about 10 ear infections since he was born.  We opted to have tubes put in but that has not helped at all.  I'm just hoping that after he is done teething and seems to get his ear infections under control I hope he starts sleeping better.  I have heard a lot on allergies too and I'm curious to see if cutting out milk would help.  Ashton did have reflux when he was real little but that went away.  I also breast fed him until 11 months but am completely done with that.  That was actually a very SMOOTH transition.  So at least I'm not struggling with everything :)  Thanks again and keep on posting your thoughts!

Nichole - posted on 01/27/2009

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone so far.  All of your input has helped.  I also wanted to add that we have to the CIO thing and it did not work at all.  We did it for 2 straight weeks and all it did for us was make our son completely terrified of his crib.  So I will not do that again!  He does sleep in his own room and occasionally we will put him in our bed but most of the time we still don't get much sleep.  (mainly due in part to the fact that he is all over in bed!)  One thing I should add is that my son has had about 10 ear infections since he was born.  We opted to have tubes put in but that has not helped at all.  I'm just hoping that after he is done teething and seems to get his ear infections under control I hope he starts sleeping better.  I have heard a lot on allergies too and I'm curious to see if cutting out milk would help.  Ashton did have reflux when he was real little but that went away.  I also breast fed him until 11 months but am completely done with that.  That was actually a very SMOOTH transition.  So at least I'm not struggling with everything :)  Thanks again and keep on posting your thoughts!

Nichole - posted on 01/27/2009

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone so far.  All of your input has helped.  I also wanted to add that we have to the CIO thing and it did not work at all.  We did it for 2 straight weeks and all it did for us was make our son completely terrified of his crib.  So I will not do that again!  He does sleep in his own room and occasionally we will put him in our bed but most of the time we still don't get much sleep.  (mainly due in part to the fact that he is all over in bed!)  One thing I should add is that my son has had about 10 ear infections since he was born.  We opted to have tubes put in but that has not helped at all.  I'm just hoping that after he is done teething and seems to get his ear infections under control I hope he starts sleeping better.  I have heard a lot on allergies too and I'm curious to see if cutting out milk would help.  Ashton did have reflux when he was real little but that went away.  I also breast fed him until 11 months but am completely done with that.  That was actually a very SMOOTH transition.  So at least I'm not struggling with everything :)  Thanks again and keep on posting your thoughts!

Tamara - posted on 01/27/2009

I liked going to www.Kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleep12yr.html for help with sleep stuff for my child.  It seemed to help.  Hopefully you find the right advice.  I know I love my sleep:-)

Tracey - posted on 01/27/2009

Bless u,believe me u r not alone,my 18mth old son wakes at 6am every morning has an hr sleep during the day between 12.30 and 2pm them nothing till bedtime at 7pm he is very active but dosent sleep thrugh the night he is up at least 6-8 times every night it can drive u insane.like u im exhausted and have a daughter of 3 plus 2 pt jobs.I have actually ended up putting him in bed with me just to get a bit of sleep,but he still wakes up.I hope u get things sorted if u do let me know the secret so i can sort my problem out.good luck.x

Alysia - posted on 01/27/2009

I have not read all the replies so I apologize if I am repeating. My son has never slept well at night either. He's 19 months now. There are two biggies with sleep issues: 1) medical reasons 2) nature & habitual reasons. Food allergies can cause babies/toddlers to wake often. There are some great sources online for info concerning sleep to include: www.askdrsears.com When I cut out dairy, soy and wheat my son started sleeping 7 hours without waking! It was miraculous!! Babies/children's sleep patterns differ from adults. They sleep deep in early and late sleep and are sleep light in the middle.. adults are essentially opposite. Helping your child learn new sleep associations will make a huge difference in their ability to fall back asleep without your help. Check out the book: The No Cry Sleep Solution. Easy to read, easy tips, great book!

Good luck!!!

Coby - posted on 01/27/2009

Quoting Nichole:

Bad sleeper!!!!!

I am so frustrated!! My son has been a terrible sleeper since day 1. My son is 17 months old and is still not sleeping thru the night, most nights! I am exahusted and so is he. At most he will only sleep betwen 8-10 hours at night and usually 1 nap for about 1-2 hours tops. I don't know what to do anymore. We have a really good routine down but it changes here and there with his terrible sleeping. Does anyone else have this problem? I would also love some help, if anyone has any suggestions. I just feel so alone. I hate it because everyone always tells me that their child slept thru the night at 1 month or something rediculous. Having such a bad sleeper makes me never want another child. Reply with quote

Hi Nicole,  I can relate to your situation.  My daughter is 12 months old and she only sleeps max 7 hours at night and that is only if we are at home.  If we go to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's house she is up at least 2 times in the night and she will have 1 or 2 naps of about 1 hour per nap depending on her sleep the night before.  I have read other ladies suggestions about how to get them to sleep longer and through the night and I have tried it all.  Some swear by a routine including bath with the bedtime/lavender calming soaps and lotions (which I use), some say to let them cry  and some suggest to stick to a routine and it will come eventually.  I can understand how you feel.  My partner works away for extended periods of time so I feel almost like a single parent somtimes.  I also have a sleep disorder and because I am still breastfeeding, cannot take my medication which makes an already hard situation even more trying.   I was under the impression that sleeping through the night meant  6 to 8 hours of   continous sleep , but if your son is sleeping for a minimum of 8 hours I think your doing pretty good.  I have alot of close friends having babies and between all of us I don't think there is one who has had a child sleep through the night before 6 months.  My daughter did it once or twice, but like I said, it was only about 8 hours max.  As for the feeling alone and not wanting another child, I would hope that  you have some kind of  support network.  I would ask for help, sometime to yourself to collect your thoughts relax take a bath or just have a nap.  Let me know if you need to talk I am here to listen.  Good Luck!!

 

DD - posted on 01/27/2009

Quoting Ellen:

Hi Nicole, I feel your pain, &with a 4 month old daughter, our goal has been to help her sleep as well as she can now, so we will all be able to get more rest by the time she's ready to sleep 8-10 hours through the night. Since I also have postpartum depression, it's critical for me to get enough sleep in order to recover, so researching sleep has become a bit of a hobby for me...

Ferber gets a bad rap, but I honestly think his books would give you the best perspective on what is appropriate sleep for your son's age! I agree with Sylvia - what are your expectations? According to Ferber & most other sources, an 18 months a child requires, on average, LESS than 12 hours of sleep/day. The average distribution is 9 and 5/8 hours at night, and 1 nap of 2 hours.

Ferber's book is "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems". I've read that, "Babywise", "The No Cry Sleep Solution", "Sleeping Through the Night", and "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." What I've learned is that the basic strategies are THE SAME, it just depends if you want to be there while your child protests to more gently wean your child off troublesome sleep associations or use CIO method to help them learn to settle themselves. Since it seems like your son is sleeping the right amount for his age, you may not need anything else.

I also learned that sleeping just as important as eating for a child's long-term development, and that whichever method you choose to help your child learn to sleep, you are doing your job as parent!

Good luck, and sweet dreams.

What a great response!  I had such issues with my first and am facing similar yet not as severe with my second.  I hate the "this is the answer" answer.  All children and parents and families are different and all have different needs.  What works for some maynot work for others and the judgements must stop.  Thanks for an awesome post!! Wish they could all be this good and well balanced :)

Alysia - posted on 01/27/2009

I have not read all the replies so I apologize if I am repeating. My son has never slept well at night either. He's 19 months now. There are two biggies with sleep issues: 1) medical reasons 2) nature & habitual reasons. Food allergies can cause babies/toddlers to wake often. There are some great sources online for info concerning sleep to include: www.askdrsears.com When I cut out dairy, soy and wheat my son started sleeping 7 hours without waking! It was miraculous!! Babies/children's sleep patterns differ from adults. They sleep deep in early and late sleep and are sleep light in the middle.. adults are essentially opposite. Helping your child learn new sleep associations will make a huge difference in their ability to fall back asleep without your help. Check out the book: The No Cry Sleep Solution. Easy to read, easy tips, great book!

Good luck!!!