Toddler wakes up frequently?

Question

Our son is 16 months old. He has never been a good sleeper. He has a consistent naptime and bedtime routine. He goes to sleep with little or no problems - the problem is that he does not stay asleep. He wakes frequently - and it is getting worse lately.

We do not believe in the "Cry it Out" method, so please do not suggest that we leave him alone to cry until he gives up.

Other than his sleep habits, he is a perfectly wonderful child - happy, healthy, active - he has reached all of his milestones either early or on time. We love him to pieces, and he is truly the joy of our lives. The sleep issue is our only complaint.

Serious answers only, please - my husband and I are both so tired that we don't know whether we're coming or going - we need help! (Plus we want to do what is right for our child.)

I bought "The No Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley - but I have not read it yet - has anyone used it with any success?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer 1

Our son has never been a good sleeper either. He is 4 now and we it's finally getting better, but he still wakes up once in a while. At some point we even went to a "sleep clinic" where we talked to a doctor and this actually helped a lot.

I think the key points I want to suggest are the following:

1. Try to limit the interaction with him at night. Don't talk (or try to limit that to just a few words), just do what ever is needed and then leave (for example you see that his blanket is all messed up or he lost a sock etc). I guess this works if there is an obvious reason for his awakening.

2. Make sure everything in his room is the same as it was when he fell asleep. For example, if you seat by his side when he falls asleep, then he wakes up - and you are not there.... Or if he falls asleep with a lightnight on, and then in the middle of the night you come to turn it off... The worst part for us was falling asleep with him in his bed - he woke up searching for me in the middle of the night.

Hope this helps. Best of Luck!

Answer 2

Yes I have used the Pantley book and it is wonderful! My 15 month old never slept through the night until about a month or so ago.  I read the book and it helped a lot.  There are so many tips in there something should help you out.  I never had to let her "cry it out" and don't believe in it either but the book suggests gentle ways to get your child to stay asleep.  Good Luck! Hope you get some sleep soon!

Answer 3

I would love to know also.  My 6 year old is doing this - going out to the kitchen and eating junk food / watching tv / getting toys and just playing.  He knows we can hear him, but he is getting better at opening his door.

Answer 4

You need to think about what would be affecting him that late. Are you feeding him something his body dislikes? Is your surrounding outside area too loud? There could be so many factors as to why he is waking up.

My son did that when he was little and it turned out he had baby acid reflux. That especially rares up when they lay flat for bed. So I would strongly recommend getting that checked out just in case.

I put my daughter to bed with her blanket, whatever favorite stuffed animal she chooses and a book. That way, she can amuse herself if she does happen to wake up early or whatnot.

I would not get up and pick him up every night though, that he will probably get used to. Just go in there and make sure everything is ok and get out quickly, so he doesnt get attached to you having to be there.

*Also, I dont know if you are spiritual, but Ive heard that  sometimes 'visitors' (relatives, deceased friends, ghosts if you will) come and to see us late at night and inadvertentdly wake the child. One lady saw a pshycic and she told her to just go in the childs room when he wakes up and ask them not to visit the child late at night anymore because they are disturbing their needed sleep. That may be far fetched, but hey, to each his own belief!  :)