Sleep Pattern Is Suddenly Changing

Two things came to mind when I read your post. First, she might be having growing pains in her sleep that is causing her to wake up and be fussy. Try giving her a bananna for desert in the evenings before bed. I had terrible growing pains as a kid and my grandma told my mom to give me bananna's and it worked. Something to do with the potassium in banannas. Second, you said you are pregnant. She may be picking up on this and has some anxiety about a new baby joining the family. You said she will go back to sleep after you or hubby goes in and talk to her so she may have fears about not getting enough attention. At 2 kids are attention hounds, they can't get enough. Since she is so little and doesn't have the words or cognitive ablity to express this she is fussing at night to get attention (any attention is worth it). Try in the day spending some individual time with her and tell her how much you love her. Then spend somemore time talking about her being a big sister and how special that is. That being a big sister is going to make her even more special and you will love her just as much if not more. She may not understand fully what you are saying but she will understand the love part. Good luck!

In addition to what the others mentioned... have you tried talking with her and seeing what she says?

Is she coming down with a cold or anything? Sick? Ear aches? Tummy aches? Gas?

Yes, it's a developmental period as well, and with my daughter, she had night mares at this age. But they are changing so much...it's a big cognitive leap for them too.

It could be anything, I hope you find a reason for it. Just give her love, and hugs and comfort in the meantime,
All the best,
~Susan

#!-She could be experiencing night terrors which aren't caused by watching things, just a phase the brain goes through. Go in and comfort her. Maybe buy a new stuffed animal or blankie to sleep with. I use Febreeze as "monster spray" when my kids are frightened in the night.

#2-Molars cause a lot of discomfort even though they may not have poked through yet. Try some teething tablets or at bedtime or when she wakes as needed. Keep iced teethers handy to comfort her in the night.

Try a few different things until you can figure it out. Maybe she is coming down with something or her ears are bothering her. You might want to go to the dr. for a check up if nothing has changed in a week to rule out something medical.

It's funny you should ask this because my son is going on 3 but he's been sleeping through the night since he was 7mo old and took 2 full naps until he was almost 2 when he switched to 1 full nap a day. About 2 months ago, he woke up like you mentioned, but it only happened once or twice within a week's period of time. I wondered myself if they can have nightmares or what? It was helpful to read the others responses too. Well, at least in my case, it passed and he has been fine and back to his routine again.

Best wishes,
C.~

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