My Child Won't Sleep! - Farmington,MI

My sister in law suggested a great book for me to use with my non-sleepers. She was given the book from her sister in law to help with her son the other family member that was a non- sleeper. It is Healthy Child, Happy Sleep Habits or Happy Child, Healthy Sleep Habits by Dr. Weisnblooth Director of Children's Sleep Clininc Children's Hospital of Chicago. I am sorry if I do not have the title right or the spelling of the Dr.'s name right, but I just lent it to my friend. It was a great book and easy to follow. There are some times when you need to let them cry and it is hard, but if you can make it through the three to five days of this happening, it works. It is not like the Ferber method. It was a great book that all my friends have used and comes complete with parent testimonials throughout the book. I hope this helps you and if you have questions, please feel free to email me back. Good Luck, I know firsthand how hard this can be.
N.

L.,
I can SO RELATE!! First, might sound silly but, does your son have allergies? If he is a little stuffy, or has swollen nasal passages, that could be what wakes him up. If it is see an allergist.
Next, A child who doesn't sleep, (Had one) A Serious sign of intelligence, My son from birth, never slept more than 6 hours, didn't take naps, nights were a nightmare, 2 hours, up for 2, I was a wreck. Some things that helped, a hepafilter in his room, helped clear his air, and constant noise. Start on a weekend, keep him up till 11 pm., do you have a routine?
Bath and story... put a gate on his door. put him in bed and say good night. If he is in a crib, get a toddler bed, (less worries about falling out) I am sorry hon, let him scream, sleep on his floor even! It may take a week, but he will get it. Go to his room at 6 am and see if he is awake, after a while, make it 7 am. leave him some toys and books, no nightlight, dark means sleep. We tried so many things, this worked, it was hell at first, but he got it, his room, his bed, we all have our own beds! My son is now 27, still sleeps only 6 hours, a real go getter, his mind was ALWAYS going, kept and keeps him going! He has just done the same with his 1 yr. old. More than anything it is for YOUR sanity! My husband and I took turns getting up early or staying up late with him. E me any time L...
(mom of 5 grown, Childcare Provider for 30 years, helped MANY who would not sleep on their own!!) K.

We did this much earlier at 5 months but we followed Ferber progressive waiting and it took a week. 1st day 1 1/2 hours, 2nd day 1 hr, 3rd,4th and 5th day 30 mins each, 6th day 8 mins, 7th day 1 min. After that she rarely ever cried more than a few seconds and then didn't cry at all. I nursed her when she woke during the night until she stopped waking up on her own at about 6 months. You lay them down drowsy but awake and then check at progressively increasing intervals 1st day check after 3, 5, 7 mins and then every 7 mins until falls asleep. next day 5,7,10. 3rd day 7,10,13. 4th day 10,13,15. 5th day 13,15,20. 6th day 15,20,25. 7th day 20,25,30.

I hate to sound like a commercial, but I can recommend a book if you have time to read it. It's called Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. I only have one child, he's 16 months old and sleeps wonderfully (12+ hours per night) thanks to what I've read in this book. (It may sound strange, but maybe he's too tired to sleep well. Try putting him to bed earlier.)

Never been in your situation so I can't offer you any direct suggestions, but if nothing else works grab a used copy on Amazon or see if your local library has one.

Good luck to you.

H.

Hello L.,

Have you thought about having him checked by a chiropractor? have his neck curvature checked and make sure there is no extra pressure anywhere. God bless! ~Carmen~

The advice you'll find in books like Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child and the Ferber books aren't the only way to handle sleep issues, incase you're looking for something a little different. If you don't want to let your child "cry it out," you might want to look into the No Cry Sleep Solution or the Dr. Sears baby sleep book (haven't read this one, but have read Dr. Sears web site info on sleep issues which has been helpful). The Healthy Sleep Habits book is very informational and will help you understand children's sleep needs and cycles, etc., but as for solutions it seems to continually point to letting your child "cry it out" for LONG periods of time, and I know that doesn't appeal to everyone.

Do you know what is keeping your son from sleeping? He just won't settle at night, etc.? Do you have a nap/night routine? If he's not napping at all I guess that would make him very overstimulated by bedtime. What is going on w/naps?

Good luck and I hope you and your husband get some sleep very soon! :)

I can recommend the book 'Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child ' by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. It's a great resource for real sleep issues.

I feel your pain. I have 2 children and both were bad sleepers. I had tried many different methods. Finally I asked our doctor and she told me to try this book "Healthy Sleep Habits Happy Child." I can't tell you what really worked but, it did. I think most of it is getting them on a structured routine. So, you could try that. I hope it helps.