18 Month Old Doesn't Sleep Through the Night

Updated on July 04, 2011
V.D. asks from Smithfield, UT
8 answers

My 18 month old isn't sleeping through the night. She sleeps in her own room and has a good meal before bedtime, but she'll wake up once a night and won't go back to sleep until after she has a bottle. This is the only bottle she gets a day. It's the only one that I can't get her to give up. What should I do? She's been waking up every night for 3 months now. She was a one time sleeping through the night and I don't know what happened. Anyone have any suggestions what i need to do to get her to sleep through the night again?

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D.H.

answers from Denver on

I agree with the moms who said to drop the bottle for a couple of reasons:

1. She is very into the routine, so it really isn't about hunger or thirst. I would suggest that through the day, remind her that there won't be anymore bottles. "This is the last meal of the day and now it's time for bed."

2. By keeping up this habit, you could be creating a new night time issue as she gets closer to potty training (ie accidents).

3. I like the idea of a water bottle or sippy cup near her, if she's in a big girl bed. We did that for one of my boys. We only left about 2 or 3 oz. of water in a sippy, but it gave him reassurance that he had water if he needed it.

I know it is hard to say no or to stop something, but the part to remember is that kids don't remember a couple of nights of not getting their way or crying. They learn that there are limits and boundaries, and they remember that night time is a time for sleep.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

2 moms found this helpful

D.G.

answers from Lincoln on

When my oldest was that age I gave her water bottles at night. It might not be worth it to her to get up for that! and since it's just water you can leave it in her crib.
My oldest though didn't sleep thru the night til about 2 1/2. My little one is 21 months and she doesn't sleep thru the night. I think it's more common than you might think.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from Denver on

I had this happen to me with my daughter and the first thing the doc told me to do is drop the bottle. He also said that you want to get it handled before they turn two or it's even harder to break.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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N.L.

answers from Tampa on

My son is almost 17 months. He was like that when he was 13 months for 3 months. The pediatrician said that they go thru phases.... and he changed one night and now the is sleeping thru the night... It always happens to me when he is teething or in pain....
At least you were able to avoid the bottle during the day... I have no idea how to do it!!!!! ;)
Good luck and hang in there!!!
N.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

It could be anything: teething? wet diaper, dream, hungry, scared
Make sure she has a nightlight
Change her diaper right before(and I mean right before) bedtime.
Can you try to go in quietly not turning on light and gently rub her back to sleep? So steathlike that she barely know you're there.
Hang in there....it's a phase and she will soon go back to sleeping through the night.
Just rule out teething. If she's in pain, she will wake up.

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

Stop giving her the bottle. It will make for 2 or 3 long nights, but then she will get that she is not supposed to eat in the middle of the night and will stop waking for it. Try giving her a sip of water and than helping her find other ways to sooth back to sleep.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Denver on

I agree with the person who said they go through phases. My oldest would sleep well for months and then not sleep well for months. I would stick to whatever you were doing before but if you work or just need sleep some times you have to give in to get through until you have the energy to make them go back to sleep on their own, just don't wait too long or the habit will be even harder to break (especially at 18 months).

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J.S.

answers from Salt Lake City on

The bottle has become a routine - not something that is really needed for nutrition. It really is best to give it up now - it will only cause more problems as your go forward. You can give up the bottle cold turkey - or you could try reducing the amount in the bottle by one ounce each night until you get down to an ounce or two & then drop it altogether. I did this with one of my kids and after the 3rd night, she never woke again in the middle of the night.

If she continues to wake, go to her & soothe her, but don't take her out of her crib. Stay for a few minutes & leave. If she cries, stay away a few minutes and then go to her again. Repeat this process, never taking her out of her crib & increasing the amount of time you are gone each time. She will get the message that it is time for sleeping, that you are there for her, you will always come back for her, but it's just not worth waiting for you to come back. Within a week, I suspect she will no longer be waking at night.

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