I am about to go crazy so I need some help! My 3.5 yr old use to sleep through the night at least 10-11 hours. The past week he has been waking up every 1-2 hours so 3-6 times a night yelling for mommy! When I go in there he says he just misses me or he wants me to cover him back up. He is still in a crib, but I have twin size blankets tucked in to try and keep him covered. He will also say he lost his pillow, but he is laying on it. After this I leave and he is fine. I don't have to spend more than a minute in there, but it is me waking up and then trying to get back to sleep and then up again.
Any suggestions mamas?
Last night I explained to him before bed that it is night time and he needs to sleep and mommy and daddy are sleeping. I did the I am only coming in once at night thing. At 2:30 I went in and told him I love him and good night. I told him that mommy wouldn't come back in until it was morning and then I turned off the monitor and slept through the night. It is a habit I am going to have to break. He will be moving to a twin bed in the next few months. Thank you!
Haha, Erin Louise!
I would tell him before bed how much I love him,but that I need my sleep and that he could call for me one time during the night, but only once. I would go to him the once as promised and then repeat that I would not come in again.
Sounds like he is going through a normal stage. I really don’t know what advice to give but just wanted you to know that I’ve been there too!
My son did this at about age 3 except he was already in a twin bed. He would call for me, I would climb in bed with him, cuddle and kiss him until he fell asleep, then go back to my room.
Yes I was losing sleep, but he really DID miss me or he was scared. As his Mommy I felt it was my duty to comfort him.
Before long he was sleeping through the night again, feeling secure and confident.
There are nights that I will walk into his room and watch him sleep wishing I could cuddle him until he fell asleep again It’s like he doesn’t need me at night anymore LOL!
They grow up so fast!!
Anyway enough of that. Just be patient. This too shall pass. I promise =-)
How about some benadryl and a shot of whiskey before bed...just sayin' LOL. Hope you get some good sleep soon.
I pretty much agree with CT. I would sleep in my 3 y/o daughter's bed if she had it her way! I have to do this with her too. She is more of a getter-upper than a yeller, but it's the same principal. Before bed I tell her that she needs to stay in bed, etc. etc. I have already made sure she's gone potty, gotten a drink, whatever. If she gets up I usually go in there and snuggle her and put her back to bed but I tell her if she gets up again I will just be putting her back in bed with no talking or cuddling. She hates that, so it stops the getting up. I think you may need a little "toughness" if you want your sleep! He may cry a lot the first night or two or test his boundaries, but in the end I think you'll get back to sleep. I feel like I should add a disclaimer for those who are so adamantly against CIO and methods like it that I of course would never do this if there was a legitimate issue or if my child is sick or scared...but honestly, your son is probably just testing his limits and he likes to have mom around, so when he wakes up he wants to see you. It's pretty normal, but you need your sleep so good luck!
Is he potty trained? My 4yo wakes up in the middle of the night (usually no more than once), but she is normally crying and disoriented when she does. Usually she just needs to go to the bathroom and then goes right back to sleep. But, because she is not fully awake I have to carry her in there and sit her on the toilet and then carry her back to bed. Could be partly that your son needs to use the rest room.
Have you tried just calling out "I love you, go back to sleep now" back to him and not getting up? Hence, acknowledging that he is awake and reassuring him, but encouraging him to put himself back to sleep.
Maybe a white noise machine, or a soft rock or classical radio station playing in his room. A night light that makes pretty colours on the ceiling. These things would entertain and/or lull him back to sleep maybe. A photo of yourself taped to the crib railing or tucked under his pillow.
It is just a phase and will pass - but I know it hard to wake up on and off all night.
Good Luck
