How can I get my 11 1/2 month old to sleep at night?

Question

My son only takes 2-45mins-1 hour naps a day. He does not like to go to sleep at night. I bounce him on an exercise ball and he will usually fall asleep, but will be back up within 2-3 hours and we do this all night. I would let him cry in the middle of the night if it was just a whinny cry, but the sound he makes will make your skin crawl. My husband and I are very tired and are debating on whether we want anymore children after this one. He is our first. Please give me some ideas to help him fall asleep and stay asleep, Even 5-6 hours in a row would be great.

Answer 1

repitition and determination and staying away is the answer to your problem. Letting your child cry it out, no matter how horrible the screaming sounds, for as long as it takes, will help. I used to have to do that with my daughter, and within a couple weeks of taking a shower when it was bedtime, and occupying my time in the middle of the night (not trying to sleep) when she woke up, she was sleeping thru the night. Eventually they do give up, and get tired of screaming (arent you tired after a hard cry?) and will eventually learn to put themselves to sleep. Regimen of putting them to sleep every night.....dont change it, and letting them cry it out when you put them in there, works. Especially if you DONT go back in the room (there's advice that says every 10 minutes reassure your child, but I personally think it makes it worse. It's like starting over again, every 10 minutes). Make sure RIGHT BEFORE you put them in bed, diaper is clean, and you are good to go! Stay strict and you should have it licked in no time.

Answer 2

First of all, you should have started the night time sleeping training at birth to 3 weeks old. Since you haven't, it is going to be harder but definitely doable if you stick to it.
Take care of your child's needs: diaper, feeding, clothes aren't too tight, dressed for the right temperature, comfy bed, nothing to get tangled in, and then stick your dear baby in the other room and let him cry. The "skin crawling" cry you are referring to is none other than the "I don't want to go to bed on my own, cater to me until I fall asleep" cry. He has learned over the past several months that you respond to it. And yes, it will sound like you are killing him and it will take every ounce of will power NOT to cater to him, but for your own peace of mind/sanity STICK TO IT!!!! Check on him every 20 minutes or so, not to talk or comfort, but to make sure that he hasn't gotten himself tangled or what not. The minute you pick him up or show any signs of feeling sorry for him is the minute he wins.
And for all of you out there who think about giving my answer a bad rap I ask: do you have children?? Do your children go to sleep with little to no hassle??

I would definitely recommend the book BabyWise. It's all about how to get your child on a schedule so that he is sleeping through the night. They have a section for people who start late. My 6month old is sleeping a good 6-7 hours, then I breastfeed, then he goes right back down again for another 3-4 hours. Please don't knock it til you read it. I do sincerely wish you the best, and I hope you find a solution soon that will give you both peace and sleep!

Answer 3

My son is five months old. He sleeps 8-9 hours at night. It wasn't easy.

I was getting up every 2 - 3 hours at night and fedding him.

Then we went to his 4 month check up. At that time he was still sleeping in his bassinet in our room. His doctor told us that it was time to get him sleeping in his own crib... in his own room. She advised that he WILL cry. probably for several days. But if you put him to bed with a fresh diaper and full belly, there is NO REASON he needs to wake up for feeding. It can wait until morning.

So... we started that weekend. We did it when we both had nowhere to be the next day because we knew he'd scream. And he did. And I cried. I felt so bad. I thought he was scared or something.

But the reality is that he was using me as his pacifier and he needed to learn how to go to sleep on his own and stay asleep.

So, now we feed him his solids at 8 pm, which is the beginning of our bedtime ritual. Then he gets a bottle... then maybe a bath, changed, and a story, then turn on the musical crib toy and lights out.

Sometimes he fusses for a while. I'll peek in and make sure he's safe, which he always is. But I leave him alone.

most nights, he is asleep by 9:30 pm... 10:00 at the latest. And he sleeps until about 6 am

Tolerating the screams is the hardest part, but it does get better.

Answer 4

You may want to try and drop his morning nap and go to just 1 early afternoon nap, maybe right after lunch. Other wise just tough love, let him cry it out. It's hard, but we did it with all 3 of ours and they all slept through the night by 7 weeks. If you let him cry it out, check on him every 10-15 min, make sure he's not hungry, wet, or hurt and leave him there. Don't pick him up unless you have to change him, and even then change him in bed. For you turn on some music or something where you don't have to hear him cry. With our 1st my husband literally had to sit on me to let him cry. It's tough, but it really works, give it a few days. And always put him to bed sleepy but awake. They need to learn to fall asleep on their own, for their sake and your sanity. There is a book we used called Baby wise by Gary Ezzo, it's the Growing Kids God's Way series. You may want to take a look at it. Good luck

Answer 5

Pretty soon those 2 naps a day will stop and he will only be taking one of those. I'm sure that will help a lot. But we always let our daughter cry it out. She was sleeping through the night by 2 months. Maybe we just got lucky because I like to sleep but I think that method always works.

Answer 6

From a mother of 2 girls ages 4 and seven, I agree with the other people that said you have to limit the knaps. Keep youy child active all day if possible. I know it seems tempting to let the baby sleep so you can get things done in the day, bit don't do it. Make sure you are giving your baby enough solid food during the day. Your son may be waking up because he is hungry. It can only get easier. Keep the faith!

Answer 7

Cut out one if not both naps, make him get up early, keep him active throughout the day, give him dinner and a warm bath around 8 he'll be exhausted and asleep in no time and will sleep all night.
But the 2 naps is what's screwing your night routines up!

Answer 8

It is very common for babys to do this. First of all he probably is not crying because of sleep. He either needs to be fed, Needs a diper change, Or just wants you. What yous hould to is when he does this check his diper first if he doens't need a change try feeding him. and while your feeding him quietly you can sing a lalaby. Babys like that. Now I'm not a mother or an adult but I do love kids I took a baby sitting cours. And I have baby cousins. And don't worry about other babys being like this some are different and if you want other kids you should have them. Just wait a while before you do. Make sure this baby is at least 1 to 2 years of age. Or longer. But also if it helps the baby if he is not in your room he might just want to be closer to you. Baybe's also like being bundled up in a blanket not to tight but nice and snug around them. Because it reminds them of being in the whomb. And they like it- it makes them more comfortable. Well I hope this works for you. Best of luck.

Answer 9

i had to ferberize my daughter she would do the same thing. she would go to sleep at 8 then back up at 11 and it would kill me to hear her cry. just go into him and reassure him you are there but dont take him out of the crib and keep doing this at different time periods until he falls asleep it should only take a few nights and everyone will sleep better. also you could try soothing music or a night light. I know it seems cruel but i only gets worse my 13 month old hates to go to bed and cries at least 10 min a night before laying down to go to sleep on her own.

Answer 10

Ever for the reason that she grew to become right into a splash one, my oldest has slept 11 to fourteen hours each night minimum. No shaggy dog tale. I keep in mind around 2yrs previous, i might flow and verify on her to make confident she grew to become into nonetheless respiration each 0.5 hour or so and that i many times had to wake her up for the day. At that age, she regularly awoke around 10 or 11:30 a.m.!!! It scared me so undesirable, yet she grew to become into positive. She's very healthful. She's 8yrs previous now and nonetheless likes to sleep. If she would not get a minimum of 11 hours each night, she feels poor all day long.