Sleeping problems?

Question

My baby is 13months old and just recently she has been having trouble sleeping. She has always been a really good sleeper, going from half 7 through til 8ish, but since her 1st birthday she keeps waking up every few hours crying. I have tried everything I can think of, I keep ignoring her for as long as I can possibly stand (usually 15mins tops) then I go into her room and tell her its bed time while lying her back down but she has massive screaming fits where she kicks and throws her head back whenever i do this, its like she is petrified to be in her own room. It really scares me to see her acting like this and I really dont know what I can do to help her. Does anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

My daughter goes through phases like this too. She's now 22 months and every month or two she has a few bad evenings like this. It's best to rule out problems like teething or illness first, as this can cause major disruption. If in doubt, I give her a dose of calpol and a drink of water and check her temp ( if only for my peace of mind ). Does she have a nightlight in her room? Some children develop a fear of the dark. Other than that, I would just suggest you continue with what you're doing already - just don't give in and get her out of bed, as this will just teach her that if she cries and carries on enough, you'll give in eventually! It's tough but it does get better eventually - all the best.

Answer 2

It sounds like she could be having nightmares, or has developed a fear of the dark. Maybe put a night light in her room or the leave the landing light on? I think when she initially wakes and starts to cry go in and reassure her because she could be feeling genuinely frightened stay in there for a couple of minutes to reassure her. Then tell her its time to sleep and leave her if she is still crying after 15 minutes go back in reassure her then leave and follow this pattern. I am a nanny and have found this generally works. Its just a phase most children go through at some point.

Answer 3

It should be obvious that something is waking her up. It could be teething pains, it could be stomach pains it could be almost anything. Sadly 13 month olds aren't great at communicating.

I wouldn't wait until she is completely worked up before going in. When she cries go in and try as best as you can to discover what is wrong. Kids at that age understand far more than they can say. So ask her if she is hungry. Then if she is thirsty (bring in a glass/bottle of water). Ask her if it hurts, and ask her if she is afraid or just to show you what she wants. You may find if you do most of the speaking for her you can discover what is wrong.

You may want to try giving her painkillers for a few nights, to see if that is it. Give her a snuggle and tuck her back in.

Letting her scream will only teach her to be more afraid if something IS scaring her.

Answer 4

Believe it or not, she is waiting for you to come back in the room to her. You have to let her cry longer, it's not going to hurt her but continuing to go to her will not teach her anything. You can't reason with a child this age and the more she sees you coming back into the room, the more she is getting her way, even though she's screaming. Earplugs would be a good investment and try letting her cry for half an hour. Good luck.

Answer 5

Never easy and I think us mums have all been there. Trial and error. If you rule out all the obvious complaints, then I agree try leaving her for a little longer. She is waiting for you to come back into her.
Believe there is a night light now that automatically comes on when your baby wakes which in turns re-assures them back to sleep as often it is waking up in the dark which frightens them.
Good luck.

Answer 6

You could try several things. Such as a interesting nightlite that is in diffrent colors so that it makes diffrent colors on the wall. There is also a turtle night light type thing that projects starts on the ceiling.

You could also try having a fan in her room for white noise. It might be to quite in there for her now. Childrens hearing increases as they grow so it might just be to quite in there for her now. So maybe a fan, or a radio turned down on low to were it's barely audiable..but you can still hear it. Or something that plays music quietly.

I hope this has helped. It might also help if she has a lovey. My son (who is 2) has this pillow tigger that he sleeps with and he doesn't sleep unless he has his lovey beside him..if it isn't there he wakes up in the middle of the night crying, screaming, and all out freaking out. It's his "protecter"

Good luck! :)

Answer 7

i would say she is having night terrors try leaving a light on for her in her room i think every child goes through this but you have to be persistant and keep her in her own bed i know this is hard when they seem so frightened just go in assure her everythings ok then leave the room

Answer 8

Maybe she's hungry. Babies do all of their growing when they are sleeping, so maybe she is using all of her calories every few hours. Try feeding her something substantial before bed (cereal, oatmeal etc.) Do you give he a bottle through the night? Maybe try giving her a bottle of formula or whole milk when she wakes up. My son still wakes through the night, but he went from waking every 2 hours to sleeping for a solid 6 hours when I did this.

Answer 9

I don't know what to do other than to go in there tell her it is still time to sleep give her a hug and kiss and leave. Let her cry for about 5 minutes then 10 then 15 before you go back in each time. just be consistent.
momof4

Answer 10

it because she needs the confort of u has anything changed in her routine lately..try putting a teddy by the side of her when she goes to sleep with a piece of ur clothing on the teddy it worked with my 12 month old she will think u are by her she is still a baby really at that age