Sleeping Habits - San Leandro,CA

Is he starting to cut molars? My son's sleep habits went out the window at that age, it's a rough age for a lot of toddlers.

I have found a really helpful site for toddler questions where you might find some good tips for bedtime - www.askdrsears.com

best of luck!

I think that you should take him to the Dr. to rule out an ear infection. My son has had them and I was unaware, he didn't even have a fever. If not that, is he teething molars?
Good Luck!

I have 8 kids and I know from experience that the more you sleep in his room the more he will want it. I know that it sounds harsh but right now he is controlling you. You have to take control back especially since there is nothing wrong with him. He will sleep and he will do it on your terms. what has worked for me is the same thing that super nanny does (took her long enough). you put him to bed (on routine of course) and let him know that he needs to stay there. I'm assuming he's in a crib so I would leave the door cracked but lights and noise off and wait 10-15 minutes. Go back and lay him back down and cover him but say nothing and repeat this until he sleeps. if he's in a bed and gets out put him back without saying a word as many times as it takes. the reason you don't talk is so you don't engage him in anything that will keep him up longer. It may seems harsh or cruel but it will work. trust me....I've used it on many kids including my godson who refuses to sleep without his mother because his grandmother spoiled him while his mom was sick. remember to have patience with yourself as well him. It will work out.

good luck.

S. -

It sounds like night terrors which is a normal developmentally. But I would call Lucille Packard Children's hospital hotline: (650) 498-KIDS (staffed by Pediatric nurses). I didn't note where you live, but I think they answer questions regardless.

P. Zahn

I remember my son going through this same phase at about the same age. Your son may be experiencing a fear of the dark or he may have started having nightmares. I found different things that made him feel better at night time. Since we already had a ritual of reading before bed and my rocking him, I kept that up but added a nightlight to his room and kept his door open. I also put on soothing music for him which seemed to help and made sure he had access to his "wawa", a stuffed dog which has always soothed him. I still had to come into his room when he woke up but the phase eventually passed in a couple of weeks. My son didn't have any issues again until he was six and now he sleeps with a low light on in his room again. If you don't already have it, What to Expect in the first year and also the Toddle Years is a great reference book for all the things you can expect during this age. Good Luck!

Hi S.!

I think you're doing a great job, and if I were you, I would just continue what you're doing :o)

The wonderful part is.....your son is learning to sleep in his bed, even if he is uncomfortable. He's learning that mommy & daddy will be there for him IN HIS ROOM when he needs you.

Just be patient with him. Kids go through so many different sleep stages for us parents to try to figure out. Your son is probably teething again, and needs more comfort.

Focus on making him comfortable for teething all day~ (you know, cold wash cloths to chew on, etc...), then I would plan on giving him Motrin/Tylenol tonight at bedtime. Your problem sounds as simple as teething :o) however, is not always that "simple" to comfort :o)

I know you're probably not as comfortable sleeping on his floor :o) but it's better than creating the co-sleeping situation (if you're against that).

Sweet Dreams to your family :o)

:o) N.

My daughter is 13 months and started doing the same thing a couple weeks ago. She had always gone down at 7:30 PM every night, no problems…even seemed like she loved getting in her crib. Then one night, same thing, just started screaming. I thought she was just teething, even gave her Tylenol one night, but then I realized since she is getting older, she is not always tired at 7:30 PM every night – it doesn’t help withit being light out and she wants to play. It seems like kids are much more aware beginning at this age…anyways, I have been big on the routine/schedule just because it makes balancing work/child care easier, but now that she is getting older, her nap times vary and she can stay up a little bit later. Now instead of putting her down every night at 7:30 PM, I wait for queues to make sure she is definitely tired…8 PM is usually more realistic, but some nights it is even 8:30 PM. When she is tired, she goes in no problem, but if we put her in too early, she will cry. I would definitely try letting him stay up just a little bit longer…it has definitely worked for us! Some nights she still fusses, but nothing like the full on screaming at 7:30 PM.

I had the sae problem when my son was 15 months. He would just run out of the bedroom screaming. As hard as it is though, the only way to get through it is to let him scream it out. By laying with him you're only encouraging him not to want to sleep alone.

The first night I let him scream (and beleive me I wanted to go in there or talk to him through the door so bad)it went on for almost 30 minutes until he tired himself out and went to bed. The next night was only 15 minutes. Then it was 5 minutes and then nothing at all. In only a matter od days he learned that screaming was not going to bring me into his room, he would have to go to bed like a big boy.
Having a consistant routine helped us too. bed time was the same time every night and started with the same activities, first bath time, then story time, then into bed.
Good luck with everything. Stay strong. Don't give in to the screaming. I even had to call a friend that knew my troubles and sit in the backyard for a few to prevent myself from going to him.

If your issue does turn out ot be teething, that is a little different. My son and I had a 1 bedroom apartment at the time, so if he was going to his bed, he wanted me there in mine and would throw a fit about it.

J.

It could be teething or he could be dreaming...My daughter started to do this now(she's two). And after getting her a little light(found a globe type one at Ikea that works well); that seemed to help. It gives off more light then a night light, so she feels a little more secure. Also, try giving him a "lovey"..blanket or animal to sleep with and try playing soft music. And more often times then not, he isn't fully awake so he isn't really aware of what's going on. When my daughter did this the first couple of times, I thought she should just come to bed with me and now she either lays back down on her own or I go in and rub her back and lay her back down and that seems to do the trick.
Good luck!

It was around this time my daughter had trouble as well. She had nightmares, I think. I tried to be patient but she was tough for a while. She still would prefer to sleep with me or her older sister. I still try to be patient but firm... But, I think it is general fear....

Hi S.! If your son is truly screaming, I would be suspicious that he has an ear infection. This happened to my son and we were totally unaware because there were no signs during the day that he had any problem. The ear infection was found during a routine checkup, after weeks of these nightly wake-ups. However, if your son is just refusing to go to bed (not waking up screaming), then the problem may just be separation anxiety, as some other mothers have pointed out. Best wishes.

Hi,

My son is 20 months and also goes to bed at 7:30 every night. Over the last year he's gone through different sleep issues and has never been a great sleeper, now he sleeps through the night with the occassional cry.

Has anything changed recently in his schedule, any recent illnesses, etc? These things have always impacted my sons sleeping schedule. He is truely a creature of habit.

When my son screamed it was right after he was hospitalized so I think he was scared and having nightmares. It took him a long time to calm down so I knew it was different than teething or separation anxiety.

If your son calms down quickly after you go in the room it may just be separation anxiety.

Good luck and remember it's just a phase that will pass:-)

My daughter did that around that age, and we realized after a few sleepless nights that she was teething. I think the teeth that come in at that age hurt more! We gave her baby motrin (effects last longer than baby tylenol) 1/2 an hour before bed, and that worked well. Hopefully that will help you- good luck!

My son is 2 1/2 yrs and ocassionally wakes up screaming. I have no idea why, he is fine, just wakes us and screams. I hear it is common and he will grow out of it. It could be dreams/nightmares, but whatever it is, I know it is just a phase. Be patient and just comfort him. Since you are worried talk to your dr. to make sure he is okay.

Do you think he is teething? My son tends to behave the same way whenever a new tooth is coming in. Try teething tablets or Ambisol.

Hi S.,

Sleep is very important, statistics say that 1 out of 3 children have problems sleeping. They are finding that sleep issues are a result of behavior conditions, there are natural ways to help with this condition.

I am introduced to a Children's wellness Expo on Aug 2 in Sunnyvale. There will be 13 doctors from around the country sharing alternatives to address the needs of our children today. It is very exciting to have an event like this in the States. They have them in Europe and now here.

If this is something that interests you, email me and I will send you a flier and put you on the guest list as there is limited seating.

Wish you well.

N. Marie
____@____.com

S.,
I'm not sure if this will help you but there is this company that makes these "Dream caps" that help children not have bad dreams. They are something to look into at least. Their web site is: www.StopBadDreams.com check them out and email them they are very nice people and can be very helpful.