Nightime Yelling

If your son is 'screaming' something is very wrong and he needs something. Babies/Toddlers who wake and put themselves back to sleep without crying or fussing, don't have a need that immediately must be met.

You said 'I have tried to let him fuss it out, but last night he was wide awake until 2:30 and that's when I caved and gave him some motrin to knock him out. I couldn't take it anymore.'

You caved?? I'm confused. You couldn't take it anymore??

I'm trying not to be harsh or to misunderstand what you are asking or what the issue is.

Your son was in pain, and he needed the Motrin and that is not caving. That is meeting your child's need at the time. He is most likely teething and this can be unbearable for a little one. I'm not sure why you think that is caving?!? If he fell asleep after, he was unable to sleep for a reason.

In my opinion, there is never a good reason to let a child cry, let alone scream at night or ever.

He is also probably experiencing growth spurts, seperation anxiety and confusion about why he isn't getting the help he needs from Mommy. It's okay to continue your routines and make sure he sleeps in his bed, but there are ways to maintain continuity while meeting a child's needs.

Before bed, check his gums to make sure they aren't red or inflamed...if they are give him some Mortin so he can make it threw the flare ups without waking.

During growing periods, I give my son a little massage on the legs before bed so he is stretched and comfy. Or if he wakes I rub his legs and talk to him about how it's okay and it will get better. Then, I tell him it's time to go back to bed and he does.

Toddlers need help making these tough transitions, and he is probably not napping becuase he is changing. Do you have a static routine that cues him to nap/bedtime? Our routine no matter where we are or who is caring for my son is the same. This gives him the cue that it's time to rest and even if he doesn't nap we rest on the bed or floor or wherever. It's got to be about making sure that he knows there is a routine and that its going to be the same day after day.

You don't have to look at this as giving in or caving...meet the need and remain consistent with your routine. Please don't let your little one scream or cry, you'll both get more sleep if you tend to his needs at night.

Good Luck.

Here is a link:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-sleep-does-your-chil...

He should be taking a nap during the day. My son at that age took 2 naps a day. MOST babies that age need to nap.

"Changing" his regular sleep schedule... it probably causing him problems.

Putting a baby/child to bed "later" at night so that they don't wake up early the next morning DOES NOT WORK. A child will STILL wake up early... or at THEIR usual time.
I have 2 kids... and no matter what time they go to bed, or how many naps they take during the daytime, they ALWAYS wake up at the same time the next morning. When my kids have gone to bed later than usual, they STILL wake up at THEIR regular time the next morning.

Whenever you arbitrarily change a baby's or child's sleep schedule... it changes them.

A child, has a regular body/sleep rhythm... and they get tired, and wake at certain times... that is according to THEIR rhythm.

HIm waking up at 5:30.... that is him. OR is was a phase... which DOES happen. BOTH my kids went through that too. It passes. THE main thing is providing consistency to the child's regular sleep schedule and needs.

A tired AND over-tired child/baby, will NOT BE "ABLE" to sleep well.... for naps OR bedtime. AND it makes them wake up more... and makes them fussier. So, trying to get a child all tired, with the logic that it will "make" them more tired, does not work either.

Now, you need to look at his age AND his developmental age, to see what may be going on. ALSO at this age or younger, they develop "night terrors" which wakes a child and makes them scream, and scares them. Its NORMAL. THEY ALSO have 'separation anxiety' still... and at older ages too.
They ALSO may be teething... or, since your son seems actually in distress when he wakes.... he is probably distressed.
ALSO... when a child hits any NEW milestones or abilities... this also causes a kink in their sleep. 18 months old, which is upcoming... is ALSO a "growth-spurt" time and an age in which they hit many milestones... and a time at which a baby changes a lot...physically/cognitively AND their sense of self changes AND the development of their "emotions" are also developing...because at this age, their set of emotions are NOT developed yet... NOR their ability to understand abstract feelings NOR the ability to apply adult standard logic.

Just keep things age appropriate... a child wakes ALL their life for various reasons. Realistically, you can't give him Motrin or other meds just to make him sleep each time. AND what will happen to him when he is older (2 years old) when he wakes??? At this age, other developmental things wakes them, too. What will happen to him when at 2-3 years old, when he starts getting "night-mares"???? (at these ages their cognition & sleep patterns changes & they develop night-mares and night-time fears). OR, what will happen at 3-4 years old, when he is waking because he has to use the toilet to pee and/or has a pee accident in bed???? Will he be "allowed" to wake up and have help??? These are NORMAL developmental wakings... and concerns FOR a child. Not the adult. That is why, the adult has a hard time waking up to help the child that is having sleep distress. That is why there are so many 'methods' to get a child to sleep....its NOT for the child's sake...it is for the Adult's sake.

Sleep "patterns" in a child is NEVER static and it ALWAYS ALWAYS changes... so you either help a child through it, or you force them to sleep by letting them cry/scream through it and then they will catch on that Mommy doesn't help them so then they literally give-up and don't bother you any more.

Your son only waking at 1:00am is actually pretty good. My kids did that too... AND they woke more than your son. I would get up and soothe them or feed them or co-sleep with them. It was good for them... my kids are now bright/independent/self-directed/self-confident/affectionate kids, now.

And besides... a child does not necessarily sleep ALL night until about 2+ years old. But then even at this age they go through developmental things that will wake them too.
EACH CHILD is different with different needs.

All the best,
Susan

Hi J., The fact that he is yelling, and not really crying, tells me there is really nothing wrong with him, some kids get to a stage to where they test the waters to see what they can get away with. Put a sippy cup in the corner of his crib, I would not nurse him, if you want him to act like a big boy, you have to treat him like a big boy. big boys use a cup, (don't get me wrong i'm not knocking nursing). sometimes they'll take a drink and go back to sleep, that's the advice my friend was givien when our now 25 year olds were tots. Also you can put a fish tank in his room that he can see from his crib, my boys had one in their room, I had a blue light in it that was their night light, and although my kids didn't go through sleep issues I had a couple friends that said it worked good for theirs, cause the blue light is soothing along with the movement of the fish and water is very calming. The only other thing I can tell you is hang tough and don't go in, right now he knows it works, maybe not as quick as he would like but it still works, and as long as it works, he will probably do it. No straight jacket, you'll get through this, maybe some head phones. Hope this helps. J. L.

I agree with Deanna. I did not get a chance to read the others answers. Is the motrin is making him fall asleep or is he crying himself to sleep? Does he have anything wrong? Could you call his doctor? Please cuddle him when he crys. Our Choc doctor told us that you can never spoil a baby. He is still very young. He has needs and he depends on his mommy to help him out. He needs to know that his needs will be met by his mom. Do you have friends or family to help out when you get tired? This will pass by so fast I know it's hard now. But the more love you give him now the more secure he will be later. Please forgive me if this sounds mean. I have to hurry. He could have reflex or gas both of them hurt.
Take care,
Sue