18 Month Old Wont Sleep at Night

Hi M., you are right not to want to put her in your bed, that will be a habit that would be hard to break, You can try putting a fish aquarium in her room, put a blue light in the cover of the aquarium, our 3 kids had aquireums intheir rooms, I'm 51 so my kids are grown, but a friends of mine's pediatrian gave her that idea over 29 years ago, and not only did her son, love it biut it looked nice in the room, the ped said told her that if her son wakes up and watches the fish in the water with blue light it would calm himand relax him, and it did, I put one in mt first sons room as a night light, and then my second son came along and they shared a room, andthen when my daughter was born we put one in her room as well. also if she is still in the crib, put a cup of water in the corner, sometimes they wak up cause they are thirsty and they se the cup take a drink and go back to sleep, the last part of my advice is don't go in the room each night she wakes up, becasue that will be come habit forming as well, and then she will automaticaly wake up each night. Hope this helps. J. L.

Must agree with Julia, if she's been a great sleeper than something is wrong!

Even the smallest change to a routine, schedule or diet can throw off the best of sleeepers. My son had about four months of good sleeping until he started to get his two year old molars at around 19 months old. I found myself soothing him at night with teething tablets, motrin, cold washclothes...etc. Which was a huge switch since, earlier teething wasn't an issue at night. But, once I consulted with his doc and stuck his finger in his mouth we knew it molars! So, if you have tried everything and you're at your wits end call her doc and get her checked out.

Trust me at this age, I found that our nights were more sleepless than they had been before. Growth spurts and molars ruled our nights from 19 mos. until recently. As I am not an advocate of 'CIO' I can't tell you that it's going to work eventually. In my opinion, and this is just my opinion, I have seen it increase the seperation anxiety issues in kids of friends and co-workers and have read tons of articles about the damage it can do to the bond between child and parent, causing a sense of abandonment and loss at too early and age for the child to comprehend. But, if you insist I would read up on the subject because two hours is a LONG time, I think the limit is twenty minutes intervals with five minute checks...

Good luck, sweetie!

Being that has only been a week... kids go thru so many changes that I would not be too terribly concerned, but if you are call your doctor!! If she is not complaining of pain or scared then I would be surprised if it doesn't pass especially since she will go back to sleep if she is in your bed. I know all of us mommies are so tired and the lack of sleep takes its toll. My son went thru a phase about a month ago where he would wake up every night for over a week around 3am and wanted to stay awake and play for an hour +. I told him that it was time for sleep which he was not happy with. I was constant in telling him the same thing over and over. It was a very long few days however he did go back to his regular schedule and has been sleeping well ever since. I read that most kids do not have a truly "regular" sleeping pattern until they are around 3 years of age. Keep doing what you are doing! You are doing a great job! This too shall pass! ;)

Hi M.,

Instead of bringing her back to your bed, why don't you cuddle with her in her room? Rub her back, sing etc. Make it clear that she is not going into your bed but you will comfort her while she is in hers. And, if you do take her to yours, maybe transfer her back into hers when she is again sleeping soundly.

My kids never slept well as infants and toddlers - no naps either. My daughter always seem to end up in my bed. But, guess what? They are 10 and 6 now. They have been great bed routiners and morning routiners for years now, with no sleep issues at all.

I think as moms, we all have to do what is right for us and our family. The key, I think, as hard as it is, is to be consistant. Eventually, your daughter will go back to being your good sleeper. For now, you just have to weather the storm. And, trust me although it feels like the longest nights of your life right now, when time goes by you'll remember these days with a smile.

Good Luck.

C.

Hi M.:
If your daughter had no sleep problems prior,there is a problem. she may not appear to have issues durring the day,because she is active and to busy to take notice.However, when she is awakened by teething pain or something else,its quite noticable. Mothers here will tell you, no matter what is ailing their baby...wether it be teething,a tummy ache,an ear ache,or cold and fever. Babies symptoms are always worse at night.Primarily because they aren't busy enough to take their minds off of what ever is ailig them.Even us adults,have a tendancy to feel more uncomfortable when we simply lay there, and can think about it. Leaving her to cry,is not the answer. Two hours of leaving her cry, now has made her feel you've abandoned her, and now,she may take some time,to feel your still there for her when she needs you.My suggestion,is to stop listening to those who believe the answer is leaving their child to fend for themselves,when they're crying for compassion,and follow your motherly instincts. If shes been a good sleeper,you know theres something not right. You need to go to her, soothe her, with rocking or laying next to her,so she knows your there for her, check her gums,her throat for any redness,and if it continues, I'd take her to the Dr. I wish you and your darlin daughter the best.

Hi M.,

You know when my son was 8 months old he got sick and since then he would wake up alll the time also. So my doctor suggested something kinda weird (i thought) but it worked! She said put the shirt that you wore that day on a stuffed animal or pillow, but be sure its not in the way to were he can smother himself. Your children know your scent and its conforting to them. The first day i did that, he sleeped allll night. And almost every night after that. Good luck with your little lady.