Goblins eating my nephew?

Question

My husband and I traveled to my parents house this weekend for a family get-together. There were 9 adults and 4 children ages 6 months, 7 months, 2 1/2, and 4 1/2.

I noticed during the day time that my 2 1/2 year old nephew wakes up from naps hysterically crying. It takes ten minutes or more for my sister (his mom) to soothe him and during that time he won't allow anyone else near him.

Also, I noticed that he wakes up 3 to 4 times a night crying. I spoke to my sister about it and she said that usually it is because he wants something- water, a pacifier, his blanket, etc.

I asked her how long this has been happening and she said since birth. She thinks the number of times he's slept through the night is less than 30. I am a little concerned that something is wrong that is causing him to wake up crying all the time. I know each child is different, but 2 1/2 seems a bit old to be waking up so much- he runs all day long and must be absolutely exhausted by night time!

Does anyone have any ideas or thoughts on this? I appreciate your help!

Please no rude remarks about him still having a pacifier. My sister is well aware that he is too old for it but given his current sleeping situation, she is worried what he would be like without it.

Thank you!

Answer 1

He's waking up at night because he's used to it.  From what you've said above it sounds like since birth he's "gotten something" when he wakes at night:  nursing and rocking / holding when young (as he's supposed to!) then water, paci, blanket now that he's older.  He doesn't know any other way.  What your sister has to do is decide enough is enough and stop giving him whatever it is he wants (he doesn't NEED a drink of water in the middle of the night).  It's called "limit setting" and it's common for 2 year olds to do this.  So, when he wakes at night and asks for _____  your sister should go in the first time, tell him it's sleepy time, kiss him on the forehead and leave the room.  The second time she should tell him it's sleepy time.  The third time she should not go in at all.  He'll get the picture pretty fast, but it may be a few sleepless nights.  In the long run it's better for him as he'll be sleeping through the night.

Answer 2

Has she discussed this with her pediatrician?  I would rule out medical reasons for this, and perhaps see if a sleep study would be beneficial.  It could also just be night terrors, and you can't really do anything for that.  Both of my older kids would sometimes wake up like that, but they didn't do it often and have since grown out of it.  Anyway, I'm sorry he's having problems!  

Answer 3

If he's waking up in hysterics like that he may be having night terrors. She needs to speak to his pediatrician about what she can do to help.

Answer 4

I agree with Alexis 73, sounds like night terrors.  Here's a good link to learn more:

http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/sleep/a/n...

Answer 5

My son is almost 5 and he still does the same thing as your nephew. He wakes up in tears wanting my husband to protect him. You can never get any sense out of him with regards to whats upset him and in the morning he remembers none of it. To be honest, the amount of times he has slept from 7pm -7am without waking at is is probably less than 10! He starts school in 2 days time so I'm hoping he will be exhausted from that and sleep a little better. I don't hold up much hope but we've kind of got use to getting no sleep and with a 4 month old we'd be losing out anyway. He also had a dummy but we weaned him off that at about the same age as your nephew is now. we don't let him watch TV close to bed time or anything, so who knows why he has bad dreams. I don't have any advise, but tell your Sister she's not the only one.