my three year old has trouble staying asleep at night. She wakes several times asking for water, a song, a kiss etc. In the morning she comes into our bedroom and crawls into bed and asks if she can "sleep on daddy's pillow" so I let her. Any idea what this waking could be about or what to do to stop it?
2006-12-20 03:29:44 · 7 answers · asked by wolverinesfan 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
You are causing the waking by programming her to be rewarded when she wakes at night, by allowing her the attention during the night. Set a date and show her on the calendar when she will start her "big girl" sleep-though-the-night nights, and talk it up, telling her because she's a big girl now, she can sleep through the night just like Mommy and Daddy. Tell her bedtime is when we have water, sing a song, kisses, etc. - not during the night. Put a gate in the doorway if you have to, and get earplugs. Then when the big night comes, remind her you're not going to come in the room until morning, because night is for sleeping, not for being awake. Then, put her to bed, praise her for being such a big girl like Mommy, and completely ignore her until morning. DO NOT cave in, no matter how loud she screams or what she says, or you will reinforce the bad habit even stronger than it was. A few nights of this, and she will get the message, and you will all get the sleep you deserve.
2006-12-20 03:51:06 · answer #1 · answered by bamabarbie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all it seems she has a pattern going on. She wakes up gets brought to her parents room and gets to sleep with daddy. She is learing how to control you so she can get her way. Trust me it starts early. My sugjestion is put her to bed maybe a half hour later. If she wakes up and crys in the middle of the night go into her room comfort her a miniute and explain to her that she needs to sleep in her own bed and go to sleep like a big girl at 3 she should no longer be allowed to sleep in mommy and daddys bed if she does it should be once in a while and make it something to look forward call it a sleep over or something. If this doesn't help then maybe you can talk to your doctor
2006-12-20 14:14:16 · answer #2 · answered by BabyDolll128 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could be too warm. We had this problem and when we turned the air down and had a heavy quilt available for her, she slept much better. She could also be a light sleeper. A soft radio or fan noise could help. She could also be over stimulated too close to bed time. Try turning the lights lower in the house, playing the same soft music, and reading the same poetry or story every night. She could just be a night owl. We've done all these things, and some nights she's just up. We left some books/toys out she could busy herself with in her room. Don't let her stay in your bed though, go to hers for just a little bit. She has to eventually work this out for herself. Let her know you'll always be there, and that cuddling is great, but then separate. You need your rest! Our daughter's 11 now, and sometimes she still wakes up, but now she handles it herself. She turns to a book, a video, music. She only comes to us if she can't work it out herself...or if she's sick. They always need their parents!
2006-12-20 11:57:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Place a picture of you beside her bed and tell her see mommy is watching you when you are sleeping. Also make a game out of her sleeping all night let her pick something you and her can do together if she sleeps all night and stays in her bed.
2006-12-20 11:33:09 · answer #4 · answered by Patricia J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is she getting enough exercise? is she acting clingy? this might be a sign that she's feeling troubled by something. or maybe you are such great parents she wants to be with you all the time. My daughter was like that at that same age. good luck!!!!
2006-12-20 11:33:12 · answer #5 · answered by tcbtoday123 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does she take naps during the day? You could cut back on nap time.
2006-12-20 11:32:27 · answer #6 · answered by inkantra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when u find out let me know. my son is the same way. the doctor says that its a behavior problem.
2006-12-20 11:37:13 · answer #7 · answered by misunderstood 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋