My one year old will not sleep through?

Question

Hi I have a one year old daughter and she won't sleep through. I can't even get her to sleep in her own cot. She wakes up constantly and we have to put her in our bed just so we can all get some sleep. She also still needs a bottle every night. Even when she is in our bed she still wakes up and winges and stirs all night long. We have tried letting her cry for a little bit in her cot but she just stands up and gets louder and louder. I have also tried offering her water instead of milk during the night but she knows the difference and won't stop crying. What are we going to do!!!!! We are getting like zombies because we haven't had a good night's sleep since she was born. Anyone else had this happen?

Answer 1

My daughter didn't sleep through the night until she was a bit over 2 and finished with teething. Don't leave her to cry it out - let her have some milk if that's what she needs, and soothe her back to sleep. She'll be sleeping through the night when she is ready to do so.

Answer 2

I'm in the same situation as you...my 15 month old hasn't slept through the night since he was about 7 months old...and he still needs a bottle, and same thing...tried water, but he won't have any of it, only milk. He's never slept in his crib, he's been in the same bed as my husband and I since he was born...we have another on the way, and I don't know what I'm going to do about my son.

Very interested to read some suggestions other people have...

Edit: My doctor has suggested the same thing these first two people have suggested...letting them cry...I haven't tried this, but can't bear to...I hate to hear him cry, and the thought of putting him in his crib and letting him scream makes me want to cry! I wish there were other ways of helping that didn't resort to letting the child cry, but I do understand why people say it works.

Answer 3

My son is 2 and still dosent always sleep through. I recommend the book healty sleep habits happy child. It will help you determine what is wrong and gives you several ways to fix the issues. Also you dont have to let your baby scream, that isnt the answer and leads to more stressed out you and a stressed out baby. Neither leads to better sleeping. If co sleeping is what is working best try that for a couple nights get some rest then put some of the ideas in that book to work. It really helps.

Answer 4

First, is she still having a sleep during the day? If she is, you might want to reduce on that, to make sure she is properly tired at night.
Secondly, controlled crying does work, but you need to be consistent and not give in. Basically it is this:
When your daughter wakes up and cries, go to her, settle her gently, say good night then go. Leave her to cry for 5 minutes. Then go back to her, do the same again then go. Leave her for 10 minutes. Go back to her, every 10 minutes, settling her quickly, saying good night, then leaving. Don't pick her up and cuddle her, and don't go back before the 10 minutes is up. You need to prepare yourself for 2/3 nights of this, each night leaving her a little longer. Night 2 leave her for 15 minutes, night 3 for 20 each time. Many babies will be sleeping through after this time, but some take longer, so keep going, until she gets the idea. It will be tough to listen to her crying so you need to do this when you are not too tired so you feel able to be strong.
Better still, get your partner to be the one to go back to her each time.
This worked for me, and has worked for many others.
Good luck!
For more toddler tips try my website:
http://www.parents-in-a-pickle.com/parenting-advice-toddler.html

Answer 5

Have to be strict. Her crying (even when it gets louder and louder) is temporary. She does it b/c she knows it WORKS. Lay her down. Give her cuddles, sing a song. Make it a NIGHTLY ritual, so her little mind knows there is a rythym to this sleep thing. And then let her be. She will cry. She will scream. Let her go for about 10 min. Go back in lay her down again. Keep it short and sweet. Give it 20 this time. If she's still crying, go back in. Still crying? Keep going back in there in 20 min increments. She might do this for two hours or so. You have to LET HER CRY. She will learn to comfort herself. Just make sure she hasn't hurt herself or somethig (stand outstide the door). She will be so exhausted at first she will fall asleep. After a few days or weeks she will get the hang of it.

You and your husband are going to have to grin and bear this one. Its tough, yes. But you have to create boundaries for her sleep.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 6

this is what I did,I let them cry it was hard,when they first started crying I would go in talk to them lay them down and say goodnight,do this twice ,the next time and times there after go in lay them down but don't say anything and walk out,they will eventually stop crying and every night it will get better.Make sure she has a pretty full tummy before bd too,that way you know the bottle is just for comfort and not because she is hungry,good luck,be strong and consistant and don't give up,they will grow up,mine are now teens and sleep all day and wish they would get up.HA