Toddler Not Sleeping Through the Night

My son is 19 months - went through a few ill periods and got use to me rocking him back to sleep. I started to cut back the rocking and tell him that he is a big boy and can sleep in his bed all night. He then only woke one time (around midnight). I then walked in, made sure he had his pacifer and patted his back. This continued until one day a friend suggested a night light. I put a night light in his room - he can find his pacifier in the middle of the night (I put several in bed with him) and now he sleeps through the night.

It really depends on you. I could not let him cry - although one night when I was sick I had to put cotton in my ears and let him because I was that tired. That night was a turning point. He realized that I was not there to rock him all night and started to sooth himself. I think you will have to suck it up and tolerate some crying - but do it however it works for you. Gradually go in less or just do it cold turkey.

Good Luck.

Hello,

Unfortunately, you're going to have to let him cry it out. We didn't do this with our older son...we learned the second time around. While our younger son had cried for hours the first time, he didn't cry as much the next times. I'm a light sleeper also so I had to close his door and our door and pillows over my ears. I could still hear him but I'm so glad that I did it. If you have another bedroom that's further away from his room, you could sleep there. It had made it much easier for us. Especially since you have another one on the way, it is important that you start now. (The sooner the better) Just think...what are you going to do when the baby comes? Will you have two kids in the same room with you...then you'll never get any sleep now.

try no dairy products... vanilla flavored rice milk is great. We had the same problem and it took us a year to figure it out. Try it for two weeks and see if there is any improvement.

We are having the same problem with our 2 year old. She was sick around Christmas and hasn't slept through the night since. She wakes up screaming but you can tell she is still asleep and only thing that calms her is sleeping in our bed and of course hubby and I don't sleep. I talked to her doctor about it and she said from like 18 months and on babies have night terrors, she will eventually outgrow it to just hang in there. Its hell but I've tried everything too. We have a 7 month old, luckly she sleeps through the night.

S.,
I have had the same problem with my 2-year-old. Just this week we are having success at her sleeping through in her own bed. I told her that our bed was just for Mommy and Daddy. If she wanted to be in our room, she could sleep on a blanket on our floor. She slept there two nights and then in her own bed since!! I am not certain it will work for your son since he is younger, but it is worth a try and being able to sleep even one night, right?!
Hope it helps,
A.

I'd have never believed when people said the first 2 years you don't sleep through the night either, but being the mother of a 4 year old and a 2 year old...I agree now. It is so easy for me and my husband to let our 2 year old sleep with us if she wakes up in the night, but then we later pay for it the next night. I have done the cry it out thing...and eventually it does work, especially for initially going to bed. For me not talking to them when they wake up helps, other than saying "night night time". It sounds strange, but the Super Nanny show is great at these issues. Best of luck to you!