Fussy at Night

She is crying because you come and get her. My boys also share a room, but it is the older not the younger that wakes up in the night. The only thing that has made it better is to not go in their room. if he is really upset I will sit outside the door and talk or sing to him until he calms down, but even that had to stop because he was expecting it. He would sit at the door and yell MOMMA COME TALK TO ME. My best advice is maybe to let your older daughter sleep in your room on a palate until the younger one is sleeping consistently. and maybe buy some earplugs.

Do you still swaddle her at night? I had to swaddle my baby until she was 10 or 11 months old. Sometimes she would fight it at first, but then after a couple minutes she would be out and sleep all night. It may not be the way ever one would advise, but Ialso rocked her to sleep most nights before putting her down. She didn't start going to sleep on her own until almost a year. Now, mind you, she was a bit premature, and a little behind on somethings, so it shouldn't take everyone as long. Good Luck, I know how frustrating fussy nights can be.

Hi C.,

When my 2nd child, Robert, was a toddler and I was pregnant with my third son,Steve, Robert would not sleep in his bed without me there. I would sleep..having a huge belly...on the floor many evenings.

I have a friend who's child experienced a similar situation. The mother wanted her child to get used to sleeping in his new bed...the child cried, kept her up all night. What worked for her was the suggest of listening to what her child was telling her. Her child wasn't feeling safe in the new surrounding. He felt safe in his crib or play pen. She was encouraged to keep his playpen near by his new "big boy" bed...letting her know when he wanted to sleep in it. It was an off & on sleeping arrangement for a while but eventually he refused the play pen.

Mostly what I am trying to say is to not rush into making a child do what you want him or her to do for your conveience...if the child isn't ready...don't push it. However...your child has been used to sleeping with you because you've allowed it. Your her security blanket...find something that would make her feel as secure when she's in her own bed....Maybe put her bed in your room to get her comfortable in her own sleeping area but your still there....You'll have to "ween" her off of you as her security blanket.

I hope you find something that works for you & your child soon!

Kat

____@____.com www.agingyounger.net

i might also try hylands teething tablets, or she might have gas or be constipated from the new foods so try one of the infant gas relief or give her some prune juice or pears to eat

I do not know this by experience, I only have a 4 month old. BUT I work in Early Intervention and it just so happens that I talked to a developmental therapist about this issue today. I was asking her advice for a friend of mine who has the same issue. I was told that the parent is NEVER to pick the child up. Your daughter is smart and realizes if she cries enough, you will come get her and take her to bed. The therapist said to either leave the room completely or to pat her bottom until she falls asleep. She said do not go back into the room and do not pick her up, it makes things worse. If she refuses to sleep after a long amount of time (I'm thinking 15-30 min) then wait for a quiet moment (even a gasp for air) to pick her up. This way your daughter does not associate crying with you picking her up. I hope this makes some sense and like I said, I haven't tried it and I know this must be hard for you. Good luck and I hope you get some sleep soon! :)

C. - I am having the same issue. A bit different since our son has been sleeping on his own through the night since he was 2 1/2 months old, but he's 6 months now. I also monitor my diet very closely and this also begun soon after I introduced sweet potatoes. HOWEVER, I think I have some bad news for you...I posted a very similar question a couple of weeks ago (I think it was a couple of weeks...I've also been sleepless these days). Check the posting under my name...think it was "Bad Dreams???". There's a ton of good thoughts there for the exact same thing. Because there were several thoughts about an ear infection, I took him to the doctor. No ear infection, but his third tooth seems to be moving around. So...seems TEETHING is the answer to our question here and only time will "cure" it. The doctor says his gums were swollen. It's gotten a bit better since I was able to give him Motrin after I checked with 'serving size' with the doctor. Motrin is SO much better for us than Tylenol. I can completely understand your need for sleep. I can't imagine doing this with another child in the house...you're a Saint! I recommend, as hard as it is, to just go in and put the "binkie" back in, pat her back a few minutes (at most) and if she seems to be settled, leave. It's a lot of work on you to get up and down all night, but possibly better for her to be in a consistent environment...just a thought.

I can't help but wonder if the baby is getting cold...if you hold her to put her to sleep then place her in the bed. You might try warming a blanket in the dryer for her to lay on or buying one of those padded mattress covers.