14 Month Old Won't Sleep

Updated on December 21, 2010
B.C. asks from East Meadow, NY
5 answers

My 14 month old son has not slept for more than an hour at a time for the last 6 weeks. At first we thought it was because it was he was getting all 4 of his molars but now they are through and it's still happening. I feel like we've tried everything motrin, teething tablets, gripe water, chamomile tea, music, sound machines, the baby carrier (ergo), bringing him into our bed, letting him cry but no matter what he does not sleep for more than an hour and wakes up screaming. When we pick him up he does not stop crying so I don't think he just wants to be held. I am at my wits end. It was easier when he was newborn! I cannot continue to function on this little sleep. I am totally unreasonable and moody. I have a 5 year old son and I feel like I have no energy to take care of him. Does anyone have any suggestions?

BTW- Our pediatrician has found no health issues

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C.C.

answers from Sacramento on

I would schedule an appointment with the pediatrician and just make sure nothing is wrong (ear infection, food allergies, who knows what).

If nothing is physically wrong, then just make sure you are keeping him on a very consistent schedule. In bed by 6pm (yes, really), naptimes right on schedule every afternoon, and very consistent meal times.

The other thing I'm thinking is that maybe it could be nightmares, or even night frights. One of my girls would look like she was wide awake, and would scream and cry, but she was dead asleep. It was the freakiest thing. It started around 18 months for her, and went on for several months. For instance, she'd get out of bed (she was in a toddler bed because she was an escape artist), she'd come and wake me up crying and tell me there were grasshoppers in her bed. I'd go with her to look, and she would point and cry, and of course there were no grasshoppers in her bed! Anyway, she was literally seeing them there. So I would "smash" the grasshoppers, put her back in bed, and she would be asleep (actually close her eyes) and be completely asleep in 10 seconds. It was the weirdest thing. She did grow out of it. But maybe your son is having that kind of thing happen, where he's not REALLY awake, just looks that way.

Anyhow, frustrating issue. Maybe other moms will have some good ideas. Good luck with it. =(

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M.I.

answers from New York on

Hi B.. That's horrible and I can empathize bc my (now 2 year old) son wouldn't sleep for more than an hour from the day he was born until he was about 5 months old - but it was due to silent acid refulx (he wouldn't vomit, the acid was just going up and down his esophagus, burning his chest/throat)...once we finally diagnosed it (they thought it was colic) and we got him on meds and a totally sensitive stomach formula he got much better. Did you add anything new to your sons's diet 6 weeks ago? I know you said 4 molars at the same time (ouch! that's rare - and painful).
I know you said your pediatrician hasn't found anything, but it definitely sounds internal. Could it be that he might be reacting to something in his environment? i wish i could help bc i know how hard it is to go through your days worrying and not sleeping. It sounds like you've done all the comfort stuff that would work if he were just irritable...so, i am just going to suggest that you get a second opinion...maybe see a gastroenterologist, or a dentist to have them check to make sure his teeth aren't giving him more of a problem than they should (maybe one of the molars are impacted?).
Good luck!!!!!

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J.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

Try a chiropractor that specializes in children. I cannot tell you how many times my kids have been wrecks for a few days until I get them adjusted. Our chiro also does food testing and muscle testing and can identify if there is stuff in their diet that is affecting them, or also if they are missing some sort of supplement. I would highly recommend trying a chiro. Best of luck!

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E.C.

answers from New York on

I've never been to a chiropractor, but so many people have found help, I would suggest seeing one. My friend's little baby fell out of her arms once and the chiropractor was able to feel where something was wrong and fix it there and then.

I am so sorry!

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

See your pediatrician. Maybe it's an earache or other health issue.

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