Sleep Issues - Ballwin, MO

You know my little guy is about the same age and his molars are coming in. It seems to really disrupt his sleep as kids notice it more at night. Anyway, I don't know if his gums are red or not, but we have had to do a little extra comforting. Also we got one of those lady bugs that is a stuffed animal, but acts as a night light and it seems to have put a positive twist on things for the moment as he is excited to get in his crib. Just some thoughts, it is always hard to know exactly what is upsetting them though!

I suggest you google "sleep regression" and read up on the different ages when babies typically have trouble with sleep. According to the material I have read, sleep regressions are basically unavoidable, they are fairly short-lived (a few weeks in duration), and there is very little you can to about them except be patient. It is just really good to know that he is normal and you didn't break him somehow! I personally think it is important to continue to give him comfort during this time, and not make bedtime a scary thing.

K.,

I'm so sorry that you are experiencing this. Perhaps you may need to visit the doctor. My son did this starting on his birthday. I thought he was just pumped up from the party and two cupcakes. But after hours of non-stop crying I took him to the ER. He had a bad middle ear infection. I was surprised because there was no ear tugging or fussiness. The key was that everytime I laid him down, he screamed, when I rocked him, he was on my shoulder. I'd put him in his bed, he'd scream again. Good luck.

Could this be in response to your new baby born a month ago? Maybe he's just now having issues with her (jealousy). Maybe he sees he's getting less attention? I don't have any ideas persay but this thought popped into my head!!

Good luck!!

K.,

I TOTALLY know what you are going through. My son will be 1 on Saturday and he is doing the same thing. He is getting his molars which I think is the culprit, but my husband and I are at a loss as to what to do. He still naps pretty well and once he is down at night he stays asleep for the night, but getting him down is a nightmare and it used to be so easy. He used to go to bed around 7:30 after a story - last night he screamed and didn't sleep until 9:30 - the poor thing was SO exhausted. We thought maybe he was "playing" us because we used the cry it out method and we thought maybe he needed a refresher course, but even though he was up very late and screaming - in the end he still went down eyes open and put himself to sleep. I wish the best for you - I know it is emotionally, physically and mentally draining. If you get any great advice please pass it along.

Best wishes,
J.

Could he be teething? Maybe call your peditrician let him/her know whats going on see what they think. Not sure what it could be, sorry not much help.

Sounds like it could be due to pain....teething or ears. Is he still napping and eating okay? I agree with calling the ped. If nothing else, you could try Motrin 45mins or so before bed and see if that helps. Let us know what happens.

I'm having the same issues with my 2 year old...they are coming into a VERY active stage in their lives...wanting to explore EVERYTHING...and they don't want to miss out on ANYTHING...I've read somewhere too that at this age they start being afraid of the dark...do you have a nightlite in his room?

The first thing I think of when I read this is ear infection. You might just see if you can get him in for an appt. and see if he has an ear infection. They don't always run a fever or have any other symptoms, but laying down is VERY painful for a little one if his ears are all clogged up or infected. If this isn't the case, you might try a night light and maybe some soft music playing so he has something to listen to. Just hang in there - I am sure you will get through this. But please, take him in to the Dr. to be sure his ears are OK. Good luck.

Go to the room and try to imagine you have a huge imagination and look around for things that may be scaring him. I have four kids, one boy's imagination was so big, he was scared of windows not covered and mirrors (monsters), open closet, anything that may be making a shadow that scares him (try turning off the light and look for scary shadows of furniture, etc.), anything on the floor that looks like a snake in the dark, etc. Then I tried one "sleeping buddy" (stuffed animal) for him, but he wasn't attached to any. Luckily he had a big sister with lots of them and I put dozens around him a few nights to cover every side to protect him from any monsters. Maybe even show him under the bed or put a stuffed animal there to keep it safe.