15 Month Old Still Not Sleeping Through the Night

I'm just replying in sympathy! My 23 month old daughter has almost the EXACT same sleep schedule, only she wakes and wants to nurse. Good luck. Andi

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I would stop all night time feedings. My doctor says night feedings are not necessary after about 2 weeks of age, but if we keep giving them then the kids will keep waking us up to ask for them. Once your child knows he will not get that night bottle, he will stop waking up for it.

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i got some great advice from a seasoned mom....she said, your baby doesn't need to eat in the middle of the night so you need to quit giving them a bottle, otherwise, they will learn to wake up and want to eat..."who wouldn't want a pizza delivered to their bed in the middle of the night"

the first couple of nights are hard while you wean them, then, they are just fine. I have a 15 month too and she can sleep from 7 to 6 without eating

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B.,

I haven't read any other posts yet, but my experience is that children often do not reliably sleep through the night until they are about three. Some do, some don't, and it's always frustrating when everyone else's kid but yours sleeps for 8 hours straight!

From your post, it could very well be that your son is hungry at that first wake up--at this point, I would load him up on something filling. Would you consider bringing him to your bed at that point, to soothe him through the next "wake up" without getting both of you out of bed? (My son, 20 months, still wakes every so often, and I am so glad we are cosleeping. But it's still annoying!) If you can, get up with him at 6:30 and keep him up until ten or so, then let him nap. Chances are he'll take a longer nap then. I think I'd go nuts if my son was taking all these little cat naps. The point is to consolidate his morning nap to one big one.

About you: I know how it feels not to have enough rest. It truly sucks, and sucks the life out of me. Take the best care of yourself you can. If it's possible, have your husband put your daughter to bed and go to bed early with your son. (Explain to him that this is only temporary, but that you need your sleep.) Dishes, laundry...all of those things that keep us up can wait! If you can, hire some child care or ask a friend or relative to come and spend time with your daughter while you and your son nap. If that isn't an option, don't feel guilty about dozing with your son while your daughter watches a video or Sesame Street. Really. Two kids can be exhausting!

Above all, try to remember that this is a season. A tiring, hard season, but it's not permanent. My best to you, from one tired mom to another!

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My son was waking also for milk still 1 or 2 per night at 15 mos' basically I checked w/his dr to double check he was totally healthy and got his advice and we did the Ferber method. It was hard for about 3 nights but it worked-he'll still wake up but its less frequent and we only go in to check him make sure he's not wet or what not-usually all we have to do is give him a hug over his crib and tell him he's okay its still sleepy time and he lays back down and goes to sleep. Now he also eats more during the day b/c he's not getting those extra calories at night which has helped as well for him to eat a bigger dinner. and yes one nap might be the best bet as well-We did at 15 months-it was rough at first but now its one nap for about 2 hours-around 11 or 12 depending on when he wakes up-he usually wakes up at 6 or 7. Also another word of advice is to put your baby/child to sleep no later then 8p.m. Ours goes to bed between 7-7:30 Sleep negates Sleep-its true-read Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child-its the best book I've read regarding sleep and really understanding it.
It'll be hard at first but do it it'll be better for everyone-otherwise you'll have a 5 year old who still wakes up a few times a night.
good luck
K

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Feed him a high protein dinner with dense carbs (ie: brown rice as opposed to white rice). eliminate the morning nap (one big afternoon nap will work). Lots of play in the afternoon, and very consistent pre-bedtime routine.

He does not NEED the bottle/snack in the middle of the night, he is accustomed to it and now expects it. You might need to let him feel sad for a few nights, but don't give in! Remember, he doesn't have all the same emotional wiring we have as adults, so you're not going to traumatize him. He will view it more like, "I want _____, I'm not getting it, and now I'll cry to show I stll want it." He won't remember it in the morning.

We had to recently go through something similar with our almost-2 year old. She was waking up at 3:30--after a year of sleeping through the night with zero issues, and wanting to come with us in our bed. We had to stick to the method, and comforted her for a few minutes, and put her back down. We used the Supernanny method, first time, explained we love her and it's time to sleep, following times: no talking, just put her back in bed and walked out. It was not fun, but co-sleeping is not something that we want to do especially with another on the way! She's smart and figured it out pretty quickly. Thankfully!!

I know for us, it was so necessary to get her sleeping because we both work full-time, and I'm pregnant so not sleeping well as it is. Being sleep deprived is no fun, and I wish you well as you figure out what will work best for you and your little boy!

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It is time to reduce the number of naps that he takes. Also increase his activities. I would start by eliminating his morning nap. A child that age does not need a morning nap, replace it with activities, like co-op preschool, swimming, going for walk, gymnastics.

Good luck.

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he is probably ready to drop the morning nap completely - be awake from 6-noon, then sleep for 2-3 hours, then go to bed at his regular time...that might help. Also, you might want to stop giving him food in the middle of the night. It may be a habit that you have to break now.

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B.,
I am thinking that at 15 months a child only really needs one nap. Maybe cutting back on the daytime sleeping will allow her to realize that night time is a time for long time sleeping instead of just more of the same day time sleeping schedule it sounds like you have her on...I dont know if she has more than one nap during the day but that seems like what you are saying. Just a thought.

K.

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When my son was 14 months old, he was still only sleeping 5 hours per night - at most! A wise mother told me - stop those afternoon naps. Have him play, play, play all afternoon, eat a good dinner, a little more play, bath -- then he should just sleep all night. It worked! I was so sleep deprived - that when he finally slept through, I was a new woman! Hope this can work for you too!

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Hi, B.. I have an 11 year old son and have raised my sister's children who are 19 and 17 years old now. I found when they didn't want to sleep it was best to 1. Give them something filling to eat like brown rice for dinner, a bath after dinner, and a kiss until the next morning. Many children wake up during the night while they are trying to get used to being on the outside. It sounds (without knowing everything, like does he sleep in the smake room with you? Does he have a night light, do you go immediately when you hear him or is he crying when you are awoken?) like your son has programmed his body to do this because that is all he knows. You should give him something to eat that is filling, bath him (to help him relax), and let him wake himself up. Don't respond if he is just "talking", let him try to get himself back to sleep. I have yet to read a case study of a child dying from being allowed to cry for 5 minutes and trying to get back to sleep. If he cries when you go to him, simple comfort him without changing the lighting (hall night light if he is in anothe room)or talking to him, simply lay him back down, rub his back and reassure him that you are there for him. Trying to get children on a schedule is hard (for both of you) but persistance is the name of the game. Good luck to you.