I have a 17mo.old who will not sleep thru the night. I've tried almost everything from letting him eat a lot before bedtime,to keeping the room cooler than usual, to warming it up, to trying to let him cry it out but he'll continue to cry for hours until i eventually pick him up. I don't know what to do at this point. He sleeps in the same room as me and I know this could be a factor. I have even tried having him sleep in my bed just so he knows that im there and hes safe but it didn't work. Can anyone help me? And he's going to be 2 soon and I need this to stop.
I definitely understand. My daughter didn't sleep throught the night unitl she was 14 months old. We also tried everything. Finally we hired a sleep consultant. He was affordable and a wonderful person to work with. Within a 3-4 days she slept through the night. Go to www.thesleepingchild.com. His name is Hans and he can be reached at ####-###-####. We only wished we had called him months earlier!
Please know that this is NORMAL. Most children will not sleep "through the night" until after the age of 2.
Elizabeth Pantley's book "No Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers" has really helped us.
Make sure he's not crying due to feeling unwell especially since he has many allergies!
My 12 month old just starting sleeping through most of the night. I've had him stay up later and that seems to have helped a little. When he does wake up, I bring him to bed with me so at least we can get some sleep. I figured in time he'd sleep through the night and some sleep is better than none. Good luck!
S.
M.:
My son, like yours has multiple food allergies. We did not sleep for the first 18 months of his life, as he cried and cried, and cried every single night. Finally, after many pediatricians, GI specialists and allergists (and no improvement) I discovered a chiropractor who helped us. He told me that I must eliminate all allergenic foods from my son's diet (even those that he was not allergic to): gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, soy and corn (because a highly allergic child would be very sensitive to those foods as well). Within a week my son started sleeping through the night for the first time. Based on my personal challenging experiences I would encourage you to investigate physical reasons for why your sensitive child is not sleeping before focusing on sleeping arrangements, sleep strategies & routines, etc.
Hey M.,
Gosh it sounds like you have tried just about everything!
My advise to you would be to really use consistancy. If you are going to let him cry it out (or which ever method you choose), let him cry it out for a good week (or more) it will take that long for him to get it and fall asleep on his own. After he learns how, he'll have an easier time putting himself back to sleep when he wakes up through the night. Let him cry those through the night spells out too, he'll eventually have fewer and fewer. Once you're there (and I assure you it will happen) keep it consistant, same routine, bath, book, then bed. Also keep the same time of night, no matter what.
Some times too, they can get over tired. When my son would get over tired it would take him longer and it would be harder to put him down. Also my son suffers from GURD, which may be the case, ask your DR. Since he's been on meds he doesn't wake up at all (he would have acid reflux throught the night that would wake him up).
I'm not sure if he's in a crib still or not, but try playing with him while he's in it. Or you can just let him play in it by himself. My son loves to play with an aquarium that hangs on the crib bars, and also has a mirrior that ties to the crib. He finally knows how to turn the aquarium on and some times falls asleep watching it.
I don't know if any of this helps, but rest assure, there is an end in sight!
Z.
You are one tough gal and I commend you for doing all that you are doing. It will be worth it in the long run, but I'm sure you're so exhausted.
Just wanted to tell you to hang in there... my sister has a 15 month old with wheat/milk/egg allergy, troubled skin, and resulting sleep problems. Her first child was so easy so she was very surprized... each baby is so unique, even if you do things "by the book" or exactly the same.
Good luck! And please let me know how things go... maybe there will be good tips for my sister.
I had sent you a private reply, as I would have gotten nasty responses from other moms if I posted it.
Don't know all the factors, but here are some suggestions:
If at ALL possible, I'd try to get him in another room (or at least out of view from you). Everybody I know who has their child in the same room as them beyond 6 months, the child is still waking up multiple times a night, so nobody is getting restful sound sleep. They need the restful sound sleep as much as you do and I think their own room away from the parent really helps with that.
White noise machine or humidifier or fan may help if he is a real light sleeper.
A water cup so he can take a sip if thirsty in the night.
I would talk to your sons dr.and see what they recommend
