We Need Sleep - Alpine,CA

Have you thought that maybe she is having a bad dream?! Night terrors? My son has been having night terrors since he was 10months old. It seems as if he was throughing a tantrum but he is still "sleep" and is throwing his body around, kicking, screaming, crying. He doesn't want to be held but at the same time he does. It's really weird. His eyes will be open but he is still dreaming his scary dream. I thought when they began that he was throwing a fit but then realized that is wasn't that. We have been struggling with this for a while now, he is 2.5 now. He doesn't have them as often (they started every night and then has been tapering off) but he still gets them. We will turn the lights on, tell him mommy and daddy are right here and will lay hands on him and pray for him. You almost have to let them cry it out. Its really scary and really hard for me as his mommy to watch him like that. Sometimes if its really bad we will put him in a warm bath and that helps ALOT!
Just a thought.. Good Luck

At this point you have to let her cry it out. It could take up to an hour or two--- but the older she gets the harder it will be to break this habit.

Babies are smarter than we give them credit for. They will keep doing what works for them & its working for her.

As a side note-- I would not recommend the cry it out thing unless both parents are 100% committed to seeing it through. If they aren't then it is just unnecessary torture for all & they should just learn to deal with things as they are.

I would not reward her by taking her out of her bed or giving her anything to eat/drink. Keep the lights off and have her mom put one hand in the crib to pat her back and leave. If medical/nightmare conditions are ruled out, I would go in her room, pat her on the back and leave. I would let her CIO.

My first thought was night terrors too. Look up some info on that and try the teething medicine. I would leave her in her room, keep it dark and just comfort her with rocking, soothing music, warm cloth, etc. until she calms down. A frustrating time but it will pass, hang on to your patience.

I'm all about not letting kids just cry if it can be avoided, but at this point you're out of options. 1) At this age she should not be having a bottle in the night- there is no way she needs it. So just ignore the crying for one or two nights and it will stop. I'm sorry, though, because it sucks a lot. But she won't hurt herself in the crib and you will all get more sleep in the long run.

hi. this may sound crazy but ever think of having a live in nanny help you with her during the day to tire her out by playing with her so she will sleep? i have a low cost solution for you if you have a spare room. We have a great 22 year old nanny that we have to find a new family for her. our housekeeper of 5 years is suppenly being evicted and we feel obligated to this older woman to help her out. she is moving in wednesday. We have to tearfully find a new family for our au pair. we pay her 100.00 per week for about 20-25 hours of help. she babysits, does laundry and helps with dishes. pretty good deal. If you are interested call me. I want to find a nice family for her. noise is not a problem for her at all also.

debbie
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It's sounds like she is ready to go at 2am. I would try waking her from naps so they aren't so long and of course ignoring her cries at night if there is no real reason other than wanting to be up.