My 18 Mo Old Won't Sleep Through the Night!!

S.,

My son, who is now 20 months old, did the same thing. He started not sleeping all night at about 12 months. He would wake up 2-3 times a night for several months. Is your son teething? My son would get one tooth in, only to start on another. He got a mouthful of teeth in about 5 months. We gave him Tylenol sometimes, which helped. He would at least sleep until the Tylenol wore off. If he's not teething, try putting a sippy cup of water in bed with him at night. I tried that about a month ago and my son has been sleeping all night ever since. He would wake up and yell for milk. So, instead of me waking up and going down stairs to get it for him, I finally put water in bed with him. I don't think he drinks a lot of it at night, some nights he doesn't drink any, but it has sure helped him and me sleep!!!

Hope that helps!
L.

S., I have a 7 year old Caleb, who, along with his sister, is the light of my life too! I'll enjoy reading what others have replied to you on this one, because what I have done with situations like that in the past, is I let my child sleep in the bed with us! Oh, I'm sure I may hear from those who disagree, but that is what I have done, and that is what we still do. Waking up 2-5 times a night is too much, especially if you have to function the next morning. But, if there is better advice, I'm open to that, too! We actually had our children in the bed with us a lot; I nursed the babies for a long time, and it was easy for me to lay in the bed and nurse. So, I think the children found comfort being close to us. And, we got to sleep. It would have been better if we had a king size bed, but we did manage. And, even now, Caleb likes to snuggle. I love it very much! Both of my children are very affectionate. I'm not sure if that helped any, but that is just my advice.

DON'T keep him up later so he'll sleep later. I had sleep issues with my daughter and had to take her to a pediatric Sleep Clinic. They told me to put her to bed EARLIER instead of later. At the first sign of drowsiness, we began her routine, and it worked!!! Instead of the 9 1/2 or so hours she slept prior, she is now up to 11 hours of night sleep, and is MUCH happier during the day. They said this is the most common mistake parents make in their sleep choices for children.

The book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Weissbluth was also helpful.

Happy sleeping!

My son did not start sleeping throught he night until he was 2. My son is also one of those super skinny kiddos and we finnally realized that he was matabolizing(sp) everything he had while sleeping and was hungry. We stared feeding hin Pediasure before bed ( the target version thoguth b/c it is A lot less expensive) and sure enough he was sleeping though the night almost immeadiatly. I would ask your doctor if that is posssible. Hope that helps.

I don't write this as an expert, but as one who has experienced this problems with both of my daughters and am still experiencing it with my 2 1/2 year old. However, the biggest answer (which I myself have not done and struggle with) is consistentcy. If you are going to have him cry it out...do it...until he starts getting it and sleeps through the night. You just can't give in, because next time he will just cry harder. (I have never been able to psychologically let my kids cry it out and thus still struggle with it). If you are going to sleep with him, start and then every night move a little further away until he is on his own. If he thinks you are there and then wakes up and you are not he will be upset. Essentially you are in charge, but have to decide what path you are taking and just follow it until he is sleeping. If I am consistent with my 2 year old she starts sleeping much better, however if I let it slide like I way too often do, then I pay the price. Hang in there..if you know you are going to be up at night with him while you are working things through, then sleep during the day when he does so you can make it through. If you want more information on what I have looked into, email me and I would be happy to throw out my knowledge on the subject. I am much better at learning about it than implementing it unfortunately. Good luck

When does he take his naps? Maybe too late.
What I would do is let him be at night when he wakes.I know it sounds bad, but should work after a few nights.Right now he know you will pick him up....
Good luck and hopefully it is just a short term problem.

E.

I have a 13 year old and a 15 year old. I don't know if this will help you, but I always put my children to bed, in their own beds with a ritual that did not change. I fed them their dinner, gave them baths, massaged their bodies as I lotioned or oiled them down. Then I would perhaps read a story, or sing a song to them. Then I would put them on their knees as we prayed together. One of the prayers I used for my daughter, that I had her repeat was, "Dear Lord, Mommy said you always know just what to do, and that I should put my trust in you. Then mommy said when she is out of answers, she talks to you....so that's what I'MMMMMMMMMM going to do....God bless mommy, god bless daddy....etc. Then I kissed them, tucked them in, said goodnight, sweet dreams, and I will see you in the morning.

What this begins to do is to impress in their minds what the routine is going to be and the expectation for them to stay in their own beds, until I saw them in the morning. It took time, consistency and commitment. Try it. It shows love!

God Bless!