20 Month Old Can't Sleep When He's Cold

Updated on May 01, 2008
M.M. asks from Morris, PA
12 answers

My son is 20 months old and has been a fairly good sleeper. Obviously teeth caused a rift in the sleeping schedule, but otherwise he goes to bed around 7-7:30 and wakes between 6:00-7:00. It is springtime in our area now and we no longer are using our woodburning heat, therefore, we keep our thermostat at about 67 degrees. My husband and I are more than comfortable at that temperature when we're sleeping, but my son is not. I make sure to put him in socks, a footed sleeper and a warm blanket. That doesn't work. He can't cover himself at this point and he stays awake for hours since he's cold. He typically wakes between 2:00 and 4:00 AM and just plays and talks. I have been putting him in bed with us and he gets nice and toasty and falls asleep. I've ruled out other problems like a full diaper, runny nose, etc. His hands and legs are just cold and I know I can't sleep if I'm chilly!! Any advice on keeping him in his bed and keeping him warm? Thanks

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So What Happened?

Thanks so much. Some suggested that he got warm, sweated and then cooled off. Others suggested that he might just be manipulating us!! He is nearly two after all! I'm going to try dressing him in cooler clothes so he doesn't sweat at first. If that doesn't work, we'll go with the layering. The playing shouldn't be bothersome except that my husband is a very light sleeper. We are getting a fan to drown out the noise! Once again, we appreciate all suggestions!

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D.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

I don't know if this would work or be the best idea for a 20 mo.old, but if you really think he's cold, and not too hot, you could try using a hot water bottle near him, or maybe pre-warm his bed with it. It will cool off later, but it could help him get to sleep. You could try that for a while if you want, then sew some uncooked rice into some cloth and microwave it for a couple of minutes.

By the way, I couldn't sleep if I was too cold either, or too hungry!

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B.W.

answers from Erie on

we used to live in Northern New England and heated with wood, which meant the downstairs was warm (? a chilly 60 to 65 depending on the winter), but the bedrooms were VERY cold. We kept the little ones in bed with us, and our older two girls brought stones to bed ! (yeah, in the 1990's !!)

When the little ones moved from our beds to their own, we were lucky enough to find baby longjohns to go UNDER their blanket sleepers.

I'm surprised that your son doesn't complain when he's cold. He just plays. wow. But if you can't find anything like longjohns (I don't remember where we found them, but they were wonderful), another alternative is a pair of sweatpants under the blanket sleeper.

67 isn't all that cold, so I also wonder if he isn't too warm, gets sweaty and then gets cold ? I would try the sweatpants and shirt, under the sleeper, and only a light blanket, and see how it goes. :-)

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K.J.

answers from Philadelphia on

I dress my daughter in a tightish top and bottom,{long john style} 2-3 pairs of socks, then a footed sleeper, and then over that, a blanket sleeper without feet. In the mornings she is warm to the touch, but not hot or cold. Just do some LAYERING and that should do the trick. Keeping him warm should be paramount, it feels horrible, and uncomfortable to be cold.

Take care, and keep that little one warm :] XO

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K.M.

answers from Johnstown on

ok here gos. is he telling you he is cold? you might be over dressing him. we keep our plce cool at night too and i never put that much cloths on my kids to sleep. my son now is 5 and sleeps in his under where. did you ever think he might just want to be in bed with you? thats a bad habit to break. dont know what more to tall you. good luck. just think summer is coming and we will have warm weather soon. take care. K..

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R.O.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Two thoughts -
1. 67 degrees is certainly a fine temperature for sleeping. He might be manipulating you - do you go into the room between 2-4 AM? - he might wake up and want to see you, so his excuse is "I'm cold," which reasonably gets him attention. If this is it, stop going in, if he plays quietly, then is it really a problem?

2. As far as keeping him warm, look into the Halo Big Kid's SleepSak - https://www.halosleep.com/products/detail/?product_id=36

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E.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Instead of just a warm blanket, have you tried a comforter? Maybe he won't be able to kick this off of him since it's heavier and larger.

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L.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

How about a small space heater in his room. That way his room will stay warm and the rest of the house will stay cool. My daugheter would wake up also when she is cold. I have down the co sleeping when there is nothing else to do to keep her warm.

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K.S.

answers from York on

M.,
Try using long johns. They will keep the wartmth in and maybe help.
Kim

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L.C.

answers from Scranton on

If he is still in his crib, you can get a space heater for his room. I got mine at walmart, but I can't remember how much I paid for it (definitely no more than $30 though). It keeps the whole room nice when we turn the thermostat down at night.

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F.V.

answers from Lancaster on

M.,
Not trying to be smart here but can't you turn up the heat? I mean if he is that cold and he is only 20 months don't you want to make him more comfy? I know here is was 37 degrees last night and being that my sons room is the coldest we had to turn the heat up to 71. Before you know it summer is here but for now turn up that heat and keep him happy! :0)
Chris

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

M.,
Can't you just turn your thermostat up a little at night? Also, I bought a down throw blanket for my son when he was in a "sleeping on the floor phase"! It's really nice & warm. Also, keep in mind that wool socks are exponentially warmer than cotton socks--cotton socks actually make your feet colder!

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

If he's in his own room, I would put a Delonghi space heater in there from Kohl's. It's safe and wont hurt him if he messes with it. It is awesome for bumping the whole room up a few more degrees and it's very efficient. It's oil as well as electric, so once it's heated it barely takes and electricity, and the oil comes already in it and never needs replacing. I use one in my studio when the normal heat isn't enough. It's fine even around my two year old. Otherwise, I'd put a thin thermal layer of jammies under his footed onesie and with his socks...maybe even get a hooded shirt in there and sneak the hood on when he's sleeping, I know he won't keep it on, but maybe if he's asleep first, it will stay on a while and prevent his waking up....good luck-I hope you feel rested soon!!

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