When my son was a toddler he used to sleep 11-12 hours straight. We had a bit of a challenging time when he transitioned to the regular bed; however for the past twelve months things were back to somewhat normal,until our Christmas vacation. Since coming back my son wakes up 2-3 times during the night and putting him to bed is now taking longer as he says he is scared (we had to take all of his teddy bears out of the room as he said they had teeth!). I know that at this age, children can very suddently manifest these type of "worries"; however it has been 3 months now and I am starting to think that the waking up during the night has just become part of his routine. My question is, how do I stop it, or should I? I don't think he is getting a good night sleep, and neither are we.
PS: In November last year he had his tonsils and adenoids removed as they were making his breathing difficult; we don't have snoring issues anymore.
Thanks for all the replies. There are great suggestions in there and I hope it'll work. We just started a chart and are talking to our son more about the importance of having a good night sleep. I do believe he is trying to get more attention. We are expecting our third child and although he has been through this with his sister, it is probably making him feel unsettled. Thanks again!
If you don't already have one, I suggest a night light, and maybe some soothing soft music. When you put him to bed sit by him and read a story, this doesn't take long, and soothes them,and then just put on the music and the light, and hopefully this will help.
He's probably looking for some extra attention. Let him know that after bedtime is special time for mom and dad, and that he needs to be a big boy and get some rest so that he can grow big and strong like (superman, spiderman, etc..)
C.,
I hope you get some good suggestions. It's been a few years since mine were that young. I just wanted to say that nothing is set, ever. I find myself trying to get a good nights sleep now because the teens keep me awake. I can hear them go to the kitchen at midnight for a snack or hear their alarm clocks go off at 5:30 a.m. when they are waking up early to finish homework.
Things change all the time. And I'm looking forward to college now because I'm thinking I'll get to sleep then, but I bet you something will keep me awake!
My ped just suggested to change his habits wake him before he wakes himself. Get him a drink of water get him to go pee Something to change the habit!
Try that! I hope it works for you!
It could have become a sort of routine for him if he has been doing it every night for a few months. Just some thoughts....you may want to put him to bed just a little later now that he is older, is he is still taking naps he may be ready to go all day without one, is he gettign enough physical activity, and definatly talk to him about why he thinks his toys have teeth or where he saw something like that. My son sleeps with these really big stuffed dogs and partly uses them so he doesn't roll out of bed and partly for whatever he thinks might be in his room. I also for a little while gave him a flashlight to keep by his bed if he got scared. Sorry I wasn't much help, just throwing some ideas out there!
