Sleep Issues with My Toddler

Hey D.,

Someone already mentioned Marc Weissbluth, M.D. His book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child saved our life (or at least marriage) with our second child. I did all teh No Cry Sleep SOlution stuff first but it didn't work with her. She's very social, will never turn off by choice, and is stubborn. His book helped me read her signs better so I could tell when she was tired and finally understood she needed not just a crib (we were co-sleepers with #1 and loved it) but her own room away from the distractions of Mama. She could smell me in her sleep! The main key was the earlier bedtime, as someone else suggested. Ours was already going down at 7pm. We moved it up to 5pm and it was amazing. She took 2 days to learn to soothe herself back to sleep (she'd been waking every hour or so) and would sleep 13 hours easily. Then her naps normalized and there was no crying at either unless we got out of sync--a missed nap or late night. Then when she caught up on her sleep we moved her bedtime back incrementally. The book has a lot of different case scenarios and is still a helpful resource. I highly recommend it! And it has good advice for infant and pre-schoolers and adolescents! Good luck!

It sounds like she has gotten into a bad habit. It's hard when they start waking up at 5:00 AM my daughter used to do the same thing. It wasn't something we could do anything about because that was her body clock. You didn't mention your husband? Are youmarried? I used to sleep while my husband got up with her. It's only fair if your pregnant that he helps out. Although, he would put the news on and lay down with her on the couch while I stayed in bed for a few more hours. Worked out great. My daughter eventually stopped. We think that the body clock gets longer as whey grow. Also, one more thing. She might hear something at 5:00 AM garbage truck? neighbor? dog? birds? Try sound proofing the room. Good luck and hope you have an easy and safe delivery :)

This article on sleep expert, Dr. Marc Weissbluth may be helpful http://billiediscoverytoys.blogspot.com/2008/09/sleep-beg...

Another book that is in line with Weissbluth's ideas is The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. She's a mother of 4 and gives step by step instructions on how to move towards a better sleeping situation. This book may be a little more practical & easy to read than Weissbluth, even though that's a great book. We used it & have had dramatic improvements in our 21 mth old's sleep habits.

Have you tried leaving a bottle next to her so you don't have to get out of bed? Do you know the sex of your 4th baby. I have 3 little girls also and prego with my fourth! I hope she starts to sleep later for you. Good luck with the new arrival! S.

Maybe you should go back to two naps? And maybe try an earlier bedtime? (Sounds weird, but earlier bedtime often leads to later wake up!)

Try a nap at 9 and 2. I know many kids are down to 1 nap by 21 months, but plenty are still at 2! Can't hurt to try, right? Give it a few days, before you give up.

Good luck, and take care of you and that new baby! You must be exhausted! :)

don't let her fall asleep in the early morning.. keep her up.. then try a nap at 10 to 11 only.. then 2 to 3... keep the naps short.. then put to bed at 8 or 9 and see what happens.. good luck.. the first few days she will be a bear.. but keep her up as much as possible.. also keep the room where she sleeps very dark.. like put a towel over the window... so no sunlight gets in ...