Sleeping Blues!

Updated on April 18, 2008
M.P. asks from Morrisville, NC
13 answers

My lil' 17 mo. old is having trouble sleeping. She wakes up at 3 or 4 in the morning either crying likes she's hurt or bouncing on her matress and going "hhhrrrrrmmmmmm". I get up and check on her and she's fine. So, I talk to her for a mo' and tuck her back in. And after a few minutes, she's right back at it. Not really sure what to do, especially since I'm running on little sleep as is. Help!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate it.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.C.

answers from Wheeling on

Are you potty training at all? Maybe she needs to pee and senses it. My (4) kids started waking up with overnight dry diapers well before they were 2 years old! I'd try taking her 'potty' and maybe you'll have easy potty training! Otherwise, she could be cold, hungry, thirsty, wet -- any of the 'regular' things that babies feel 'discomfort' about.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Fayetteville on

my son went through this too. The best thing i found was to not give him attention at night. I would just go in, tell him it was still night time, and walk out. She may just enjoy the extra talking at night, so just make it quick.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.V.

answers from Raleigh on

How long does she stay awake? When did she stop sleeping thru the night or has she ever? Does she like music? My daughter plays conutry music for her daughter, 14 months (as back ground noise) so she will sleep, has a 5 yr old brother who likes to be loud. How many naps does she take? Does she fall asleep easily? Try Taking naps when she does just to keep you from being so tired! Bright Blessings!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Lexington on

a lot of kids at this age, actually sleep worse when they are over tired. you could try putting her to bed a little earlier, or add a little nap in the day. my daughter at that age was in bed by 6:30 or 7:00 every night. Also make sure that she wakes at the same time every day. i know that when we are stay at home moms, we sometimes let the babies sleep really late, so that we can sleep longer too. 8 is a good time to wake them up.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Raleigh on

Its a phase. You need to stick it out and practice a sleep program if you haven't already. There are tons out there including ones that don't make you let your child cry it out or if your will to let her cry it out. Just remember its a phase and will pass. As long as she's safe leave her alone

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.M.

answers from Nashville on

My 19 month old does the same... so did my now 3 yr old. For mine at least - I figured out finally that at this point of the night they were both and were just dreaming. I used to go every time I heard them b/c they sounded so upset but by the time I got there they were out again. Now I leave the monitor on really low so I'll only hear the younger one if she really wakes and calls for me. The older one occasionally gets up at this point to come get in bed with us but only if he's had a nightmare. Good luck and good sleep!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.T.

answers from Nashville on

She may be going through a phase. Give her some tylenol or Benedryl before bed and see if you can't get her into a different sleeping pattern. If that doesn't work after a week or so, I would consult a dr. There may be something a little more going on than meets the eye.
Good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Raleigh on

My 19 mo old is going through this right now, too. I just let him cry it out, as there is nothing physically wrong with him and it seems he just wants to sleep on me. This all started after I took a business trip to Detroit for a few days. I am sure it is just a phase and all will be well after a couple of days. I hope the same for you too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.B.

answers from Louisville on

My son is almost 2 years old. He suffers from the same problems. I spoke to his doctor and did a little research. It sounds to me that you child could be having night terrors. I have lost a lot of sleep over this too. I have thought about putting him a sleep study, but I don't know it would help. Almost nightly he wakes up crying or screaming. We go to check on him and he is either sleeping or is sitting up in his bed dazed. We then put him back to sleep and realize that he doesn't realize what is going on. Are you or your husband active sleepers? My husband, talks and walks in his sleep nightly. My doctor said that my son's active sleeping is probably inherited from his father. At this point for me, I rarely get sleep between the two of them and I have a newborn. I wish you luck, but know that you are not alone.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Chattanooga on

Please don't give your child tylenol or benadryl to help them sleep...unless they're sick.
Rest of the advise is quite good.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.W.

answers from Greensboro on

This isn't a "sleeping problem", this is normal behavior for a 17 month old. Stinks for mom, though. It's also probably just a phase. She'll stop after a few nights, or few weeks. Then sleep good again. Then maybe start it up again. That's just what babies do!
When this would happen to me, I would either nurse DS back to sleep, or try to rock him back to sleep. Sometimes nothing worked so we just played in the middle of the night. After about an hour he was ready to go back to sleep. This was fine on the weekends but harder if I had work the next day. Luckily, it always proved to be a phase and didn't last long.
I'm also an easy-going mom so I just went with the flow. No crying himself back to sleep "to teach him a lesson" and no ignoring him. That's not allowed in our home.
Good luck to you!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Nashville on

Try a music Cd and play it all night long. She will start associating the music with sleep. I use Fisher Price Rainforest.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Goldsboro on

Hi, MP!
You have gotten some good advice here. I agree that it may be bathroom issues or night terrors- those are darn scary to little ones!! My little grandson used to wake up and cry the most heartbreaking sobs in the middle of the night. Finally, I noticed that whenever he had a night like that, he always woke up soaked. Sure enough, started taking him to the bathroom and the crying stopped. I don't think he ever really woke up, just went to the bathroom and back to bed with our assistance. It seems he couldn't wake up quite enough to know what was waking him. Sometimes he even said "thank you" when we took him back to bed. In a short time, he could go all night without needing to go to the bathroom, and all was solved.
Also, the same grandson has always had leg cramps at night. No doctor has ever discovered why, and he is 7 now. If she doesn't need to go to the bathroom, try gently rubbing her legs and comforting her; maybe it will help.
One other common thing is bad dreams. For that, you need to comfort her and make her feel safe, then tell her you are going back to bed but will be right there if she needs you.
Please try these things before you make her "cry it out." She needs to know you are there for her. Growing up can be scary.
Best wishes!
Blessings.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches