What do i do about an 18 month old who will not sleep at night?

Answer 1

If your child is tired, your child will sleep. Giving attention because of crying will enforce that behaviour, so check to make sure the child is fine or doesn't need a change of diaper, but make sure he/she understands through experience that bedtime is just that. The child could be crying and wanting to be held but how long do you wish to provide that support ... till late teens? lol
Let your baby get used to as little attention as possible when it's bedtime, as your baby will always be your baby, but I'm sure you don't want to have a sleep partner other than your spouse.

Answer 2

I'm sorry but some of the suggestions are not at all what is valid for a child of that age.
First of all, an 18 month old child who is normally healthy does not need to be up at night for a feed. They should be getting enough solids and milk during the day that night feeds are not necessary.
You need to have an established routine so that your child identifies that the cot (crib) is there for sleeping. Once you have a routine established - dinner, quiet play, bath, milk, bed for example you will find that they will start to establish patterns that will lead to good sleeping habbits at night.
Good day sleep also promotes good night sleep. There is evidence to show a child who sleeps well during the day is usually a better night sleeper and settles themselves during REM at night.
An 18 month old should be having an afternoon sleep of up to 2 hours but its important that they shouldnt really sleep after 4pm if they are to go to bed at an acceptable time at night.
You might want to put your baby down at around 8pm when it is also not too light.
A warm relaxing bath and milk do make the child drowsy and this will promote a feeling of sleepiness - that a good start.
If your baby is not used to going to sleep on their own you will need to establish a routine of self settling. The cry to sleep method is very popular and did work for us. You can google it and get hundreds of websites.
Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Maybe the 18 month old is hungry and also if the baby sleeps long hours thru day time it would be a rather difficult for him to sleep early at night.

Answer 4

Put them in the bed at bedtime and walk away. Have a few toys in the bed so the baby can play if it wants. Just because you baby doesn't want to sleep doesn't mean the world should stop. Tuck the child in, give kisses, turn out the light, and walk away. Feed during the night if the child needs it. But don't walk the floor for hours just because the kid wants to play until 2AM.

Answer 5

Limit the daytime nap to 2 hours. When you put the baby down for a nap at night, give a bath and a bottle/cup of warm milk . Try not to go into the room when she/he wakes at night. If you do just go in say night night and lie them back down. Do not take her/him out of the crib. Let your child learn to try to go back to sleep on their own. It will take a couple of weeks. Good Luck

Answer 6

work to keep them up during the day - they cannot sleep the day away - but do need a nap 2 hrs in the aftenoon - then get them up

then keep putting them down at the same time - 8-9 pm

get a routine established

Answer 7

Do not let him/her go to sleep in the day time. This might seem harsh, but my mom did it with all five of us. If you keep the baby up in the daytime, then they will be tired at night and go to sleep. After a few days, this will change his/her sleeping habits to fit yours. Of course, the baby will cry because they are tired, but it is better than them crying at night......trust me. I hope this helps :)

Answer 8

Oprah had something on the other day about reading baby's cries. Sometimes they can't sleep because of discomfort, hunger, or needing a massage. Good luck.

Answer 9

Do not let the child sleep during the day! If you have a sitter while you work have them keep the child active and awake all day.

Answer 10

I guess you take care of that little baby. It is normal for chidren of that age to sleep for periods of about 4 hours, then wake up and cry if they're hungry and there's no food.