I have a wonderful 11 month old baby girl. She has been sleeping in her own crib since 6 months old. Recently we went out of town for a week and the day after we came back the time change happened. Since we have been back she hates to sleep. She will scream and cry to the point of near hyperventalation. This is the happiest and most easy going child I have ever met and this new behavior is only around sleeping. When its time for bed she starts screaming, even in our bed. After she falls asleep we put her in her crib where half the time she will imediately wake up and start screaming or will sleep for about a half hour and then start. It doesnt seem to be teething or hunger or diaper change or any of the usuals. We took a plane out of town and back but had o problems, no fever but has puled on her ear.. a usual thing for her. I had her checked for ear infection the week before we left as usual before a big trip. There was also a two hour time difference... at first I thought that was it. She used to take a 3 hour nap during the day and now we're lucky if she sleeps that half hour in her bed or at all. I dont know what else to try. Letting her cry hasnt worked and rocking her back to sleep works as long as Im holding her. she only sleeps about 8 hours at night... Any ideas? If its an ear infection would it bother her during the day too?
I cant believe the responces we've received... Thank you all SOOO Much. I got a few books at the library including "the no cry sleep solution" and have tried the proping up and mama's scent in the crib. We are still working on it. Its not an ear infection so I'm thinking its a seperation issue as she goes to sleep for her Dad. Please let me know if anyone has any new Ideas... Thank you all again.
This just in... We have a new tooth! Theres some of the drama we've been going thru. Still not going to sleep on her own but much less screaming now! She had no fever or drooling or anything! Just goes to show that its all possible! Thank you guys again
Are her ears bothering her..... maybe lying down flat is bothering a possible ear infection. Has she had a fever, tugged at her ears,?
Sometimes they need to be propped up while sleeping. It might make her feel better. My daiughter is 13 months and has to sleep on a pillow (a very flat pillow, but still....)
I dont mean to make you worry more, just could be a possiblity. I'm probably wrong, though.
It could definitely be an ear infection. When my kids have had ear infections it is 100 times worse at night/nap time. When they lay down the pressure in the ear hurts more.
Hi T.,
I'm a mom of 6, soon to be 7, so we've had our share of sleep issues. My lifeline was a book recommended by my pediatrician in my hour of desperation: Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. It does involve some crying it out, but it is a whole system, which he walks you through step by step, and it saved my sanity. Took two or three days to get us back on track each time I've used it. good luck.
Do you have a nap/bedtime routine? as in reading books and starting to wind down? how about a warm bath and some playtime?. She really still needs her nap and her sleep or you will all go crazy!!! lol
If the winding down does not work, how about getting her to play a lot and run and wear her out that way? rough play could tire her out. If this is new it could go back to normal anytime or be a big change..kids are so crazy that way! did she sleep in a crib on your trip? if she slept with you she may miss that and you just may need to transfer her to her crib a little later than you are doing?.
I hope I helped you out a tiny bit.
Hi T.,
When my kids had ear infections, they had no problems all day, but if I didn't prop up the head or the crib at night they screamed. And you don't always notice signs, mine didn't even act like anything was wrong till it was bad... My dr used to laugh at me because by the time the kids were letting me know they were hurting, it was a double infection, but the dr tried the touching below the ear, and feeling lymph nodes and glands, found nothing that my kids thought was painful, then he looked in the ears and told me they should be in excruciating pain... Maybe mine just had a high pain tollerance, ore it could be all kids at young ages.
Anyway, after a plane ride, you should get the child checked for an ear infection, if for no other reason than tobe able to rule it out. Hope she gets better fast.
C.
Hi T.- I have an 11 month old boy (April 8th). He's slept through the night since about 5 months but lately he wakes up too- wanted to know were around. I'm looking forward to seeing your responses to get some more insight. My thought is a growth spurt and the time changes too.
Hi, I am a mother of three - 6,4,19mo- and only one ever had an ear infection(knock on wood). So of course check that out again with the docs. My other advice may be the growth spurt idea, although I may not have documented info, my mom experience has shown that every few months - right about when you are used to a schedule- the little darling changes everything. I tried more to eat close to sleeping times, a full belly makes ya tired, warm baths, and there was always the rocking standing up next to the crib for who knows how long, still do that for my little one. It could be teething which is tricky and individual for each child. For that, my cousin recommended homeopathic teething tablets, sold at a cvs, etc., and they work wonders. It is really the only baby item I tell everyone about. I had my pedi check them out and its all good. Good luck and remember , always trust your mommy instinct.
try putting a small radio in her room at night and also and around her when she is playing by herself,and at nap time. I always had a tv or radio on with my kids, and also when I have my grandkids, so thay don't notice any other noises,or get one of thse white nosie machines. music always worked for me and we love,and play to country and bluegrass music.
Yes i think the ear infection would bother her during the day. I had one person tell me if you would go and touch under their ears and if they would react then that might be a sign of an ear infection. Also maybe giving her a bath before bed to calm her or turning on music?? Did you all take a plane, because my son had an ear infection after we got back from a trip we took. take care!!! p.s- as others have told me "this too will pass"
hi T. rah rah boom dee ahh!! ha ha ha
my sisters name is tara....=] I grew up singing that song...
well, back to business. when you went away, did you take a plane? i am unclear on some things....
i am leaning towards her ears...curious if she had a fever lately...is she more comfortable in the upward position?
hmmmmm
if she has been so easy going and boom! things have changed so drastically well, it could be a few things.
acid coming up in her esophogus.....
does she seem like she is in pain?
poor baby!! and i mean that for both of you....when our babies hurt...it hurts us as well.
did she get her shots recently....hmmm
well, best of luck...and do keep us updated on her progress..i would consult her pediatrician...
i will keep you in my prayers
*hugs*J.
I have heard that children change their sleep patterns all through the first few years. The "No Cry Sleep Solution"
has helped me a lot so far. Good luck!
Hi,
My son also had trouble sleeping, it went on for his first three and a half years. What worked for us was chiropractic and homeopathy. He is now sleeping and we are all sleeping through the night. If his neck is bothering him I can tell it when he sleeps, he tosses and turns.
Now that he is four years old and can communicate he told me we was afraid to go to sleep. It was such a struggle for him.
If you want the names of our doctors that helped my son, I would be happy to give you their contact information.
Trust your instincts.
C. L.
Hi T.
Being a mother of 3 girls, I know what it's like to have at least one of them not want to sleep and it's frustrating. I would definitely get her checked again for an ear infection. Going on an airplane can be very dramatic for her little ears and most likeley she did catch something on the flight. If you think about it, all the germs that are on that airplane. I always get sick when I travel. Good luck with her and hopefully all goes well.
