Hi everyone, my 21 month old son has always been a great sleeper - just picking him up and saying "sleep time" he would pop his thumb into his mouth and go to sleep without any problem. This would happen at naptime and bedtime. In the last week he has started screaming when put down to sleep (nap time and night time), and if he wakes from his nap or during the night he will also start screaming and sobbing and calling out as if he is terrified of something. My guess is that he is suffering from separation anxiety and it might be a delayed reaction to having a new baby in the house. He is very gentle and loving towards the baby and has shown no signs of jealousy. We have been trying controlled crying technique where we comfort him then leave him for increasing lengths of time to cry it out, but this can go on for hours. It disturbs our 3 year old, with whom he shares a room and the result is a lot of tired and grumpy people. This has only been going on for about a week, but last night was so bad that my daughter slept with me in my bed and my hubby slept with our son in my daughters bed so we could have some sleep. I don't want this to become a habit. I would really like to hear from anyone who has had this problem and how you resolved it. Thank you in advance.
Sounds like an ear infection, to me. My son had an episode like that, and the only symptom was crying when he was laying down. Worth checking into. Good luck!
My daughter is that same age and we have a similar situation. We pushed her bedtime from 8:30 to 9, earlier only if she seems tired, however, she still wakes up about an hour earlier than before. As far as naps, I'm assuming you already have cut back to just one nap, so I guess you could do the same and push it back 1/2 hour or wait for his cues or usually I put my daughter in right after lunch. Listen to your heart, but remember he's the boss! lol
Good Luck,
~ K.
This sounds like night terrors. My friend's son had this right around the time her daughter was born. We were there a few weeks after she was born and he had started waking up screaming in terror. He wasn't really awake or asleep, but something in between. Luckily, I was there to be up with the baby while she was able to sit with him. He was nearly inconsolable for almost an hour each night. Then it went away as mysteriously as it began. From what we read, crying it out was NOT recommended, since it is an out of the ordinary experience. I'm not for crying it out at all, but what we read was specific about not doing this for night terrors. He needs comforting, but maybe comforting in his own bed rather than yours if you don't want to set up a habit. Google night terrors. My friend kind of thought it might of had something to do with her being gone for the birth. Also, she had very bad and quick labor right in front of him, almost not making it to the hospital in time. He was very upset. She thought that might of triggered it. But, from what we read, you almost never know what causes it and what fixes it. He was around 2 years old also. Good luck and hang it there, this too shall pass.
My daughter had separation anxiety from me, and putting her to bed was one of the problems. So I started to lay next to her until she fell asleep in her own bed. After a few days to a week or so, then I would tell her that I could only stay 10 or so minutes (depends on child) until she is almost asleep and then I have to go out with daddy. This will cause some crying when I leave, but a few minutes after she starts crying, I go back in, and lay with her the 10 or so minutes until she is almost asleep. This may take a few times to get her adjusted but the crying is at a minimum. After this becomes a habit then I would tell her I can stay here for 5 minutes then I have to go out with daddy. This causes a smaller amount of anxiety as she is already use to me leaving before she is actually asleep. But I always told her what I planned to do before I did it. When I first implemented the new time, it would take a few times of the same 5 minutes or 10 minutes a night before it worked, but with patience it eventually did. I hope this works for you. Good luck.
please go to the Children's Behavior Help web site--they are marvelous, and practical, I love 'em
Kia
I have had similar issues in the past. I am a mom of four. Ages 11, 8, 6, and 3. I have pulled a chair into my child's room and sat in the chair (not in bed with them) and read a book (to myself not to the child) until they fall asleep. I have told the child, "When you fall asleep, Mommy will go to sleep too." I think this is a stage that a lot of little ones go through. It takes some time, but it works. Hope this helps!
