Mom Seeking Help with Toddler Who Wakes up in the Night

My son had a similar episode (3 yo) w/birth of sibling (5 mos) What seemed to help us was, tucking him back in a kiss on the forehead, cheek and tell him "It's alright, it's time for bed now" Give him a lovvy, stuffy type thing so he can give it hugs. It is difficult, but he just needs to know that you are there, if he really does need you. So YES, he is testing your boundaries! Reassurance is what our boy was after, maybe yours is doing the same?? Dunno. Best of luck to ya!

I am a mom of 3 1/2 year old twins. We went through the same thing this summer. They would wake up 3 to 5 times a night because they couldn't find their lovie, or needed a drink, or because they saw a monster. It was very tiring.

We took a cue from a neighbor and used something they both really wanted. In their case it was a fish, in our neighbors it was the Bolt DVD. They had to get 10 stickers to get their prize (we made a little chart to hang on the wall). They got one sticker for every night they slept through the night, we told them if they wake up to just roll over and go back to sleep or they wouldn't be able to have a fish. They loved to put the sticker on their chart in the morning. We had to remind them every night. It worked! They have had the fish for over a month and they are still sleeping through the night.

-- A well rested mom!

Hi,
Most probably he is getting hungry at night. Try giving him some milk to drink when he wakes up.

Did you check to see if he is getting his molers?(sorry probably misspelled) I just had a baby in May and had the same drama with the passi... I did get rid of it a month before baby arrived. Went so smooth.....I was deathly affraid of sleepless nights but with in 2 days it was fine. Well this is my theory...and I have a bit of experience this baby was my 4th. I am all about a regular naptime bedtime meal schedule. At 3 I would give them later naps around 1:30-3:30 and bed at 7:30. That helped alot that they arent sleeping to much in the afternoon and would be ready for bed. When he is getting up I would get him what he needs kiss him and say it's night time....even if that was 3-4 times. Hang in there I know your tired....Nap when he does!!!!!

Sounds like he is just a toddler!! My son had always been a good sleeper as a baby, a very 'easy' baby- when he became an evil toddler, we were just amazed- it was like " Who took the good baby and left this one here!?!" LOL

He did the same thing- didn't want naps, didn't want to stay in the stroller, got up at night, etc. I wish I could give you some fabulous advice, but honestly, this too shall pass.

Just be as consistent with his schedule and the things you do as you can. If he won't nap, shoot for 'quiet time' with a book or on mommy's lap. At night, just keep soothing him and putting him firmly back to bed. It will be a pain, but you'll get through it. My son still threw a couple of doozy tantrums when he was 4- but then it just sort of magically stopped, so I think its just his age.

This sounds like my daughter every time she starts to drop a little bit more sleep and we're going through this now. Personally, it sounds like he not need as much sleep. Once again, this is only because it sounds exactly what my daughter went through.
We changed up her routine a bit, for us, it was getting her to nap earlier, and we only allow a 1 hr nap now (it was previously 1.5) and after a few days, she was going to bed quicker and easier without the wakeups. You would have to tailor to your child as each child's sleep needs are different. Or if your child is only taking a 1 hr nap already, it could be time to drop the nap and he is simply undertired.
Also as a previous poster suggested, it could be molars or perhaps another low-grade illness. Although after 3 weeks, my guess is more on the molars if it is pain/discomfort related.

To get us through the new routine, we started using Hylands Calms Forte which helps relax your child naturally, as well as gave her chamomile tea for lunch and dinner to help her relax. This helped us get into the new routine, which we then were able to stop using it.
We also used motrin or tylenol a couple of nights because we thought teething was part of a culprit for a while. It seemed a couple days in a row of motrin got her back into a sleeping habit as well.

Did anything change in his life about 3-4 weeks ago? Did he just start school? Does he have a new teacher or childcare person? Could he be dealing with a bully in some area of his life?

Here are some other resources which I hope might be helpful for you...

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/7/T070100.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060900.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/t063300.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/6/T060100.asp

Best wishes,
J.