Sleep Problem

Are you sure he doesn't have an ear infection or something that is causing him discomfort? If not, I'm wondering how he gets to sleep at the beginning of the night. I think it's important he learn to fall asleep in his bed on his own. I'm not saying don't check on him, but picking him up and comforting until he's asleep in your arms might be overkill, and he's going to expect that treatment every time he wakes in the night. We used the Ferber method with great results, but "giving in" just makes it worse, so maybe you want to look into The Baby Whisperer or The No Cry Sleep Solution, which I've seen recommended many times. Good luck.

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Hi M.

My twin 19 month old daughters started listening to music when they slept about 6 months ago. It has worked well for us. When they wake up at night, we play the music, when we lay them down for a nap or bedtime, we play the music. It seems to tell them it is ok to sleep now. I was told by my doctor the reason my kids may wake up at night in a fit was because I wasn't there. They were used to me holding them until they fell asleep. I miss those days but really cherish my sleep I am now getting!!! Good luck!

Could it be teething? My son, who is usually an amazing sleeper, was waking in the night. After a weeek, we mentioned it during his regular 12 month check-up, and the doctor asked about his teeth. Sure enough, he had cut his first two molars! Now he is back to sleeping peacefully.

My 20 month old has always acted that way when she was teething. She has been working on her 2 year molars for a few months now and she'll have a few days where she wakes up screaming and won't nap, then she'll be okay for a few days and so on. We can feel the teeth under the gums, but they still haven't come through yet--they are very slow. When she acts that way, we give her a dose of Motrin and if that fizes it, we know it's teething. If he has allergies, it could be sinus pressure --I've experienced that also. Good luck!

My son was born 12-16-06 amd we to have had this problem over the last 2 months. About 2 weeks ago we moved him into a big boy bed and it stopped immediately. I think the crib mattress is very uncomfortable once they get big and I think my son was running out of room and banging hs arm and head on the rails in the middle of the night as he is big mover when he sleeps.

In the past two weeks my 22 mo has been refusing to sleep unless his Dad puts him to bed or he lays in the bed with me. So you're not alone.

I would say teething or growing pains. It's hard when they're little and don't have the vocab to tell you what's wrong. Have you tried Hyland's Teething Tablets or a kiddie vit with calcium/magnesium?

could your little guy have an ear infection? I ask only becaus this is how my little one is when he has one. It's one of my main cues that something is going on with his ears. Best wishes! Jess

Go back to the basics. Put him on a tight schedule and make sure not to give him any kind of spicey foods like pizza and things high in food acid. But above all avoid any naps after 5:00pm this is what is the hardest thing to break

I am sorry that your son is waking up like that...I would not pick him up if I were you. I would go in the room after about 5 minutes consoling him while he is in the crib/bed. Do not pick him up and do not talk with him. Stay in there for a couple of minutes and then if he does it again; wait about 10 minutes and repeat...then wait 15 minutes and keep uping the time by 5 minute increments. You have to try your hardest to be strong and not give in.....kids are smarter than we give them credit for! I know it will be hard...but trust me...this works. Kids will wake up in the middle of the night for any reason....he could be going through a growth spurt or whatever. My theory is that as long as they are not in pain, fever, wet, etc....then I need to be the one to adjust to the crying out and not them. Good luck!

I am a married-full-time working woman and mother to 2 kids. My daughter Jannah is 3 years old and my son Jayse is 4 months old.