How do I get my one year old son to sleep through the night, every night? Most of the time he will , but somet

Question

times, he'll just drive me bonkers, wanting something, and I don't know what. I'm going to have to go back to work soon, and I'd really like some good advice about this, so my husband and I don't both have to go to work tired. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

DONT ignore your child! Or let him cry it out.

As your son learns knew things he may wake at night more. Be patient and head up to bed earlier on nights you have to work. I know it's hard to give alone time or time with the hubby but it will be worth it the next day.

And to the answer below- about being tired and thats just tough- well dont you think being a tired parent who also goes to work will affect how they are as a parent???

Stick with a routine as stated above- try some new things but not to many as the fact of change could then keeo him up.

Oh the joys of motherhood- its a good thing they are just so darn cute and lovable!

Goodluck!

Answer 2

Ahhh, memories. Not the best ones either. Can you remember what took place on the nights he did sleep soundly? Difference in food at dinner, bath time routine? On the nights he doesn't do as well, are there other distractions? Do you have a bedtime routine that is virtually the same every night? Try this now, so it will be routine by the time you start work. Think about the problems that cause him to get up or delay bedtime, and try to address them before hand. If he wants a drink, say not at bedtime! That way he won't wake up from a wet diaper and will help with potty training in the future. If he asks for random things, try settling him down with a book and a favorite stuffed animal (not too big of course). Maybe a nightlight that is not too bright could help, but that may end up making more problems. It really depends on the child.

Answer 3

I've got 3 baby sisters and lots of baby boy cousins, first off kids
love to play. Keep him busy all day long all ways possible, set a bedtime and once he gets used to it u all will be a happy camper, because by night time he'll be ready to sleep. Walks, going to the park, heck switch places u become the baby and bug the heck outta him, soon enough you'll all be in bed @ the same time.& stop tending his everyneed at night time, or else he'll turn out spoiled.

Answer 4

As a father with two boys (ages 2yo and 1yo) as well as having lots of young nieces and nephews I have had to deal with similar situations. The advice I got the most and that worked the best is as follows: it sounds like your son has formed a bad habit, and you getting him up and/or giving him what he wants is reinforcing that habit. The best thing you can do now (although definitely not the easiest) is to break that habit by ignoring him during that time. I don't know what you usually do to "settle" him but if it involves picking him up and holding him, you should not do that.

Most doctors will tell you that an 1yo is perfectly capable of soothing himself once he realizes that you are not going to do it. This could lead to several rough nights as he fusses/cries/screams wanting you to get him as you usually do, but my experience has been that they learn quickly (ie. less than a week and usually in 2 or 3 nights)

Like I said, it might be rough as he could carry on for an hour or two the first night, but he WILL learn and you will be helping him by doing so. There is nothing wrong with letting him cry and you are not a bad parent for mot picking him up.

My wife and I had to go through similar situations with both of our boys and now they are both happy, well-adjusted children, and we have only seen positive results from this method. In fact, now we are more confident that we will know if something REALLY IS wrong with one of them because they will not sooth themselves back to sleep when they wake up at night.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 5

CONSISTENCY is the key. As parents, you and your husband will have to work together on this. There are some things that your kids will learn about the two of you and manipulation is the big one. Be as consistent as you can about his bedtime. Be careful that his napping is not interfering with the time he should be going to bed at night. If you let him sleep too long for his nap, he will not be sleepy at bedtime. Have a ritual that you and your husband agree upon and stick to as often as you can. For example: bath, story, prayers and sleep. Do this faithfully. Let him know when it's bedtime that it's time for him to sleep. Monitor his liquid intake so that bathroom issues are not keeping him up. (is he potty trained yet? most boys are not quite there at one.) Provide some low light (if he doesn't like the dark) and a nice blankey or cuddly toy (if he likes). Give them both a hug and kiss. Make sure you have already checked the room (let him see you if this is his concern) for boogeyman, monster under the bed.....(he might be a little young for this, but I have seen it happen) Rub his back and listen to the slow and easy breathing which indicates he is sleep. If he gets up - be firm and escort him back (if he is walking). If he cries and you KNOW he is not wet, or hungry, or scared (moms know the various cries and what they mean), holler back - "Mommy loves you, go back to sleep". Try not to get up, but if you have to, rub his back and be patient until he drifts back into sleep. ) My ritual was to stay in my daughter's room until I knew she was fast asleep. Sure, sometimes she would wake up, but because I maintained a consistent structure for 'bedtime', she got used to it. When we would go on vacation, or company would come, sometimes the 'ritual' was broken - you can expect that - but your son needs to know and feel the structure of the bedtime act. (smile) Kids love structure and balance. He should be locked into a full sleep routine by the time he approaches 2yrs. Even 13 year olds like the consistency and struture that "teacher-mom" brings. As a teacher, I found that when I'm in the classroom - my students automatically know what to expect, and at what times. I kept that information on the board for them to see. It saved time and confusion was limited. Whenever I was out ill - they would hate it. They knew the 'schedule', but there was the main ingrediant missing - 'teacher-mom' easing them through the process. Good luck.

Answer 6

I have been going through the same dilemma. I would actually give in and let her sleep with me when she woke up at night...just so I could make it through the work day the next day. My boyfriend suggested I let her cry herself back to sleep. Which she has done for the past week. Well, last night she slept through the night, and if she woke up she didn't cry. So as others have said, yes...let the baby cry. It isnt cruel, but it has to be done. If you go in the room everytime the baby lets out a sob...it will just keep him up and frustrate you. Good luck.

Answer 7

He will eventually get over it, just keep to a firm schedule and he will conform.

As to you and your husband going to work tired - I am so sorry to be so blunt, but tough! That is the price you pay when you have kids - you chose it, not the child. What is going to happen when he gets sick - are you two not going to got to work because you are too tired?

All of this will pass with time, just be consistent and patient.

Answer 8

If you are giving him a bottle, then stop doing that. As long as he is fed he will continue getting up. It will take a few nights but his tummy will be retrained in no time. Also, make sure you are putting him in his crib before he falls asleep. All babies wake up in the middle of the night briefly, but if they wake up in a place that they didn't fall asleep in they are more likely to cry. Put him to bed drowsy, but awake and if he gets mad stay in the room, rub his back, but have him fall asleep in the crib. Good luck.

Answer 9

Have you tried playing classical music while your son sleeps. Just play it real low in the back ground. I did this with all of my kids and usually the only time they woke was when they were sick, stinky or wet, or were awake. They also have baby lullabys as well. Good Luck

Answer 10

try letting him take less naps during the day ...and let him only take his naps early in the day ..my one year old doesnt get a nap any time after 6:30 ...that way he goes to bed at about 9 and sleeps all night with no wake ups ...he is usually asleep completely by 9:30 ..