17 month old up 4-5 times a night?

Question

My best friend's daughter still wakes up 4-5 times a night. My friend essentially sleeps in bed with her daughter every night. Yes, the 17 month old sleeps in a big bed, not a crib. I don't know what kind of advice to give her seeing as how my twins have slept through the night for quite some time now. Any help?? Her husband is about at his wit's end but when he tries to help she flips out. Thanks in advance.

I'm not asking so as to give unsolicited advice to someone that doesn't want it. She's asking me for help. Thanks.

Answer 1

She should talk to her pediatrician. Many pediatricians have expertise in sleep problems. She definitely needs to do this. It's possible some tough love is in order here. A 17 month old is old enough to know when she's got it good. There are lots of reasons she may be waking up...does she drink caffeinated soda, eat chocolate? This could be keeping her up. A twin bed is big for a toddler -- she may need a smaller space to sleep in. She might feel totally lost in such a big bed. Definitely time to take action.

Answer 2

Honestly, I would say leave it be. Some mothers are very attached and will not put children to sleep on their own. Our daughter never slept with us (unless she is sick or we're visiting somewhere). She has nights where she gets up 5 times, but we rock her back to sleep and she goes back in her own bed. There isn't much you can do. Every parent has to find there own way, and if she thinks having her child sleep with her is best.....then she does. Honestly, co sleeping is probably the reason he is waking up constantly. I know if my daughter sleeps with us for a night she is ALWAYS up because she gets hot with the body heat, gets covered too much or uncovered (because she can't set her own rules with it), my husband snores and with how much babies moan and move....your friend is probably waking up at every stir when it's not needed and creating a bigger problem. Let sleeping dogs lay and let her be. Good Luck!

Answer 3

My goodness. I feel her pain. My daughter is going to be 4 next week and she still does it. She slept through the night from the time she came home up until she was just over a year old. I've tried every thing myself, and she still does it. I've heard it's just a phase, but some times it's just how they are I guess. So no advice from me. Just sympathy.

Answer 4

awww, that's horrible. Maybe try a new bedtime routine? Why is the daughter waking up? Is it because she likes her mommy in bed with her? We had to let our daughter just cry it out and learn to fall asleep on her own after 12 months of getting up every night. Good luck!!

Answer 5

If she takes naps during the day stop that. Tell her no more naps and run her ragged during the day so that she is tired out at night. also check with pediatrician and make sure she does not have an ear infection or any gastric reflux that may make sleeping uncomfortable..

Answer 6

tell her to watch super nanny, they have alot of good ideas on there. no matter what if the child doesn't sleep in their own bed, the husband will probably give up and leave his wife...i have seen this, she must part with er 17mo old soon.

Answer 7

try feeding more solid food. hopefully she is not still on formula, but if she is, your friend should stop feeding it (unless she is extremely small) or, have her feed her daughter right before bedtime, something like some fruit w/o sugar, because she could just be hungry.

Answer 8

it relatively is common. It befell to my son too. The worst is whilst they do it at nap or mattress time yet fortuitously that passes. it would desire to be simply by fact she is ingesting extra sturdy ingredients and much less iron fortified formulation or cereal.

Answer 9

it happens to some kids. check babycenter.com for details. hope it helps..

Answer 10

you dont look as young as that.....