2 Year Old Keeps Waking

Updated on January 22, 2008
K.G. asks from Vernon Rockville, CT
12 answers

My two year old daughter has for the past several weeks been waking up in the middle of the night several times crying so that either my husband or I will cover her up with her blanket. We recently let her keep a blanket in her crib and now when ever she stands up for any reason or becomes uncovered during the night she cries for us to cover her back up. We have both been going in and covering her, but its getting really hard when we are not getting our sleep because of her waking us up. Any suggestions??

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R.B.

answers from Boston on

She could be waking over molar teething? I'd just give her a dose of Motrin, and comfort her for a minute, but tell her she has to sleep in her own bed.

Even if its not teething, but just dreams, or light sleeping -- it's important for children to learn how to put themselves back to sleep. And 2 is so age appropriate for when this "relearning" sleep patterns happens.

It's hard, but trust me -- it takes 2 nights to make a habit -- 2 weeks to break one!!!

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H.H.

answers from Boston on

I had the same problem so I bought a Big Boy sleep sack with feet.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G0JF8M/ref=pd_cp_ba_...
It worked for the months up until I transitioned him to a bed.
Good Luck.

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E.

answers from Providence on

maybe put a fleece sleeper over her jammies so that she doesnt get cold.

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C.F.

answers from Springfield on

Put her to bed in a full sleeper over a onesie. that should help.

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J.S.

answers from Portland on

THis sounds like she only wants attention. I dont know about your children, but mine ( i have three little boys), have been able to cover and uncovered themselves since they were very young. My advice to you would be to let her cry. stop going to her every time. go in there once, cover her up, say goodnight, then leave. If she does it again in the same night, just go and sit by her bed and tell her it is time to sleep, then leave. If she does it a third time, open the door, or go to the door, say goodnight!!! then leave, if she does it AGAIN in the same night, dont go in at all.
every night should get easier, but youll have to deal with her crying to sleep. just try to remember, everyone needs sleep, even mommy and daddy. dont feel like you are abandoning her, because you are just helping her learn self comfort. hope this helps!

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M.D.

answers from Burlington on

2 ideas-put your child in the fleece-'feety' pajamas-that way they really don't need a blanket. OR-my child wanted a blanket, but used to crawl UNDER it-so I pinned it to the back of his sleeper and it went with him when he moved

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C.F.

answers from Boston on

We moved our little guy to a big boy bed. FOr the longest time he slept on top of the covers with a blanket over the top of him. He, too, would wake up asking for us to cover him. I finally removed the bed safety gate thingy and put him under the covers - it helped! He still uncovers sometimes, but not nearly as bad.

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P.H.

answers from Boston on

Maybe it is time to start thinking of a Big Girls bed? a twin or a toddlers bed? that way you can tuck in the blankets and put an extra blanket at the bottom or go and pick out a comforter set (bed in a bag) for her?. Make it a Big Girls Time and a very special event.

Right before my son turned two he was just hating his crib and would not even sleep in it..my Hubby thought he should still be in one and so a battle went on with my son winning by sleeping on blankets on floor.

We finally brought up our spare fullsize bed and he has been happy ever since (well, he 'misses' me all the time and gets up).
Good Luck

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D.D.

answers from Boston on

My daughter, now eight, was born in London and there it is common to use "sleep sacks". I think I have seen them here, on EcoBaby.com. They are like sleeping bags at the bottom, and a quilted vest at the top, zipper down the front. Your baby will stay warm and sleeping!

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M.P.

answers from Boston on

I always brought my kids to bed with us if they were having trouble sleeping. There is a reason she is waking up, she may just not want to be alone, or having bad dreams. There is nothing wrong with comforting your child and it is perfectly normal for children to want to be with their parents. I always started out with my kids in their own beds, but figured if they woke up and needed me, bringing them to my bed was the kindest option for all of us and we all got more sleep. My kids are 27, 22 and 17. And I still get hugs and kisses from all of them, and always have. Every child is different, my youngest was 5 before he slept through the night and it was hard, but he eventually did.

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A.C.

answers from Portland on

HI K.,
How long does she cry for? I always waited 5 min. to see what would happen.. . and more times than not they would fall alseep. Is she cold? or is it more or less her way of getting you to do what you are doing? Be gentle but firm... I was told my a dr. it takes 3 days to break any habit.

Not sure if this helps!

A. ( casco)
Mom of three boys 7, 5 and 9 mos

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M.W.

answers from Boston on

My 23 month old daughter just got out of doing the same thing. There were times she would be up anywhere from 10 min-4 hours. Some nights she wouldn't even go back to bed! Do you ever take her out of her crib to sooth her? I found our that my husband was whenever he went in. I started going in and asked her to lay down. If she wouldn't I would say"Mommy's going night night's unless you lay down". When she wouldn't I would leave for a min or so. When I got back in she would lay right down and go back to sleep as long as I was in the room rubbing her back. Good luck! I know how frustrating it can be!

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