Help Me!!!?

Question

My 2 and a half year old son used to be a text book baby, very easy to feed, sleep 14 hours a night, really calm and happy, lately he wakes up 2 or 3 times a night, wailing and crying out. He bangs the side of his cot with a juice bottle. I really dont know what to do, apparently kids do grow out of this. I go in and keep really calm, straighten his cot out and give him a drink, tuck him in with his teddies, has anyone else had this problem, is there light at the end of the tunnel?? any advice? thank you

I know the juice bit sounds bad......i buy a organic completely natural juice concetrate from health food shop (which has to be kept in fridge because it would go off other wise and its watered down) Thanks for your questions so far, its much appreciated XXX

It was happening before the baby was born, it is slightly worse now though;. He is such a happy boy, but miserable at night. Thanks for your answers so far XX

Answer 1

Totally normal. Yes there's light at the end of the tunnel and that light arrives sooner if you're reassuring and kind in your response to him. At 2 and a half, he's having nightmares. He may also feel anxious being alone when he is aroused from his sleep and unable to get back to bed. Just go to him and tell him everything is fine and that he's just having a bad dream and kiss him and lie with him until he falls asleep Don't lie down on his bed, just on his floor so that he doesn't see you, but knows you're there. Soon he'll be comforted by the thought of you and won't even call out. You may have to do this a dozen times, but soon he'll stop waking up in fear and he'll be in peace knowing that his mom is just a cry away. Reassure him with kindness and he'll stop having these terrible fears. Ignore his crys and his fears will get stronger and he'll feel abandones at his time of need. There is not one child I've ever met who continued this restlessness if the mother was attentive. There are numarous studies that show that children who are left to cry themselves back to sleep have hypertension as adults. There is nothing right about a child feeling abandoned and giving up on his only source of comfort and sleeping from exhaustion. I don't agree with the "let him cry until he finally sleeps" idea.

Answer 2

Could be night terrors. He may need to come out of a cot it may wake him up if he turns over a bangs himself on the side. Both my kids slept much better once in a proper bed and from the age of 21 months for my son (as i was pregnant) and just over 2 with my daughter who i might add was a nightmare in the cot

Answer 3

i have a daughter exactly the same age, and yes, the same problem. Do you still put him down for afternoon nap? I get my girl down, although she doesn't sleep. I just have her in her room for an hour, and she plays quietly by herself. That's her time. I find that when i dont put her down at all, she will sleep all night, so maybe it's because they are ready to loose the afternoon nap time. Try that. I hope like you too there is a light at the end of the tunnell!!! good luck.

Answer 4

You run a serious risk giving your child a bottle to sleep with.When someone can't breath,they make no sound.So giving a child a bottle of juice to sleep with is the same as giving them a mouth full of food while they are laying down.The risk of choking is not worth the reward of a quiet child.One more thing; Sugar is a stimulant for a child,and fruit juice is high in sugar. Watching tv,a nap late in the day,are a couple other reasons for bad sleep in small children.

Answer 5

My first thought is teething.. That can take them right out of thier routine.. I'm sure you have thought of checking all the things like temperature and whether its anything medical.. If not i would do that..Otherwise it is probably just a phase.. Something is makeing him uncomfortable.. Try white noise, a fan... If you find there is absolutely nothing wrong he is just trying to get attention. He knows you will come in and he counts on that.. I dont know which parenting method you use but i would always go in and check just don't talk to him while your in there just get everything in order and leave..I have been trying this with my daughter and she will go back to sleep faster if i dont talk to her about what is happening...

Answer 6

I wouldn't put him to bed with juice to start out with. It can rot young children's teeth. He may be starting to have dreams or wake up as he is going to the bathroom. I would be careful how much you give him to drink he may not need that as much as he needs the quick comfort, and if he is waking up when going to the bathroom it will happen more with more fluid intake. Good Luck!

Answer 7

I'm sure he will grow out of it.
Maybe he is having some bad dreams ?
Just be there for him everytime this happens.
Once he learns that you are always there to settle him he might calm a little.

Answer 8

Please get advice from a professional like a pediatric nurse or doctor. Do you really want to ask such an IMPORTANT question
to a bunch of Yahoo schlubs like us. Go to a doctor. Spend the money. Your child is important. Also, check www.WebMD.com
You might find some help here.

Answer 9

It might be night terrors. You might also want to give him water instead of juice at night too. You just have to keep doing what you are doing until he grows out of it.

Answer 10

ok, you ready? as hard as this sounds...if he is just waking up and waiting on you to comfort him, you give him the chance to pacify himself back to sleep. Let him know when he lays down that everything is ok. I think at one time my oldest did this and the dr said let him get himself back to sleep. IF NOT, you will be in there at age 12 tucking him ack in. Good luck