View Full Version : Toddler still won't sleep...
lee_chica
Jul 25, 2011, 05:48 AM
My daughter will be 2 in sept. and has stop sleeping threw the night since 9 months old. She wakes up in the middle of the night EVERY night and wants to play or cries for some odd reason. I've done everything from letting her cry it out to moving back her bedtime. She also moves in her sleep her hands legs and feet.
joypulv
Jul 25, 2011, 08:12 AM
There's diet and behavior before bedtime for starters. No cokes and sodas, right? No spicy foods, no junk food, no sugar. No heavy action TV.
A lullaby and a book. No 'read another' or 'read it again' unless it's within a time you have set for this. Don't allow your limits to be tested. Be clear about what the rules are and what your needs are so that you don't get exasperated.
Then there's weaning her off middle of the night attention. You do this by entering her room when she cries and touching her but not picking her up. Then, no touching. Each night you stay further away from her, saying soothing words but keeping the visits shorter and shorter, until you stop altogether, even if she continues to cry. This shouldn't take more than about 10 days. Studies have shown that it really works.
It's clear from the videos they've done that it's the parents who are far too eager and anxious about a crying baby in the night, and the children are quick to learn once they know what's what.
Wondergirl
Jul 25, 2011, 08:21 AM
Have you talked to her pediatrician about her sleep problems?
lee_chica
Jul 27, 2011, 03:03 AM
Her doctors says she'll grow out of it. I'm really strict with her diet to no sugar and no soda. I also did the let her cry thing she just stays up. Granted I haven't done it in a while I should try again just thought there was an easy less stressful way lol...
Eileen G
Aug 5, 2011, 04:04 PM
What is her sleeping arrangement? If she's waking up alone in a room of her own, I can see how she would be upset. Sometimes we expect more from our children than we do ourselves. I would hate to have to sleep without the presence of my husband, and I always wake when he's not around, why should a tiny child be any different?
Obviously, everyone's sleeping arrangement is different, but what worked in our house was a very large family bed. If any of the children woke at night, they got a quick cuddle, and went back to sleep.
jenniepepsi
Aug 6, 2011, 08:48 AM
If Cosleeping something you would consider? It helped my child a great deal, though its not for everyone.