1 Year Old Is a Horrible Sleeper!

Kiddos are very stubborn and VERY smart. They know that "ok, it might take while but Mom will come hold me".

Cry it out for hours if need be, go in to see that she is still safe an does not have a dirty diaper, but don't make eye contact. I know it sounds mean, but it is for her own good and yours. Humans require sleep and it sounds like her lack of sleep is already affecting her health.

I read once that "sleep begets sleep" in other words little people need naps during the day to be fully rested. If a child is not napping well they won't sleep well at night because they are over-tired.

A one year old should be able to go to sleep alone in bed. They should also be able to wake in the night and soothe themselves back to sleep, it requires training (i.e. putting them in bed while awake, sleepy but awake).

Good Luck,

M

I'm not sure you really have tried CIO - you need to be consistent in order to see results. I always thought checking in on them just teaches them to cry more because - hey! - you came in last time I cried for an hour!

She's definitely old enough, and long overdue, to learn some good sleeping habits. I think the most important part is to make sure she is not over tired. Over-tired babies/kids will sleep worse at night/nap times. At a year old, she should be in bed by around 7:30 (no later, my son was sleeping by 7 at the latest at this age.)

I second the recommendation to get the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Marc Weissbluth. It focuses on the biological and developmental sleep needs of kids and how to meet them. This book saved my life!!

It will be hard at one year old to un-do bad habits and create new ones. But not impossible. Just focus on consistency and helping her learn to fall asleep and stay asleep on her own (again, please get the book! It's very specific in teaching you how to do this.) These skills and a proper amount of sleep is SOOOOOOo important to young children. Only with enough quality sleep can they learn, grow and develop to their best.

Good luck!

You've taught her that the way to sleep is mommy rocking her. You've also taught her that crying is the way to get attention from mommy.

By trying CIO, and then checking on her so much - she's only learned to cry longer.

I offer two suggestions - first - click on "sleep" in your answer. Take a look at the tons of questions about getting kids to sleep through the night.

Second - Pick a weekend and stick to your guns. Daughter gets put in bed - sleepy, but not asleep. Do the normal (white noise, humidifier, etc), close the door and walk away.

ONLY re-enter the room if you honestly believe she needs a diaper change or has hurt herself. Keep in mind that you have 12 months experience with her diapers and her not being hurt in the crib.

When we did this, it was very hard to hear - and we kept making excuses (now he sounds like he's hurt, now he sounds like he's hungry). Stay strong.

The second night will be less crying, because now she's learned that crying doesn't make mommy appear. She'll also learn that SHE can go to sleep BY HERSELF. She just doesn't know that yet, and you can't teach her. She has to learn it on her own.

After three days (ours took 4, and I've heard of a week), you, her and the whole family will finally get to sleep through the night. :)

We've been getting a full night sleep since he was 4 months old. You deserve to sleep - and so does she. Good luck! :)

I didn't even try getting my kids to fall asleep on their own at that age. With my oldest, he was close to 3, and my youngest is 3. I will transition him this summer, but right now he shares a room with big brother who needs to be up in time for school and I don't want his sleep disturbed.

The Sears doctors would call what I do "parenting to sleep." (I'm a huge fan of the Sears family of doctors and nurses. Love their books and Dr. Jim Sears from "The Doctors.")

I usually get my kids to fall sleep and then move them to their bed. When they were younger I would nurse or rock them to sleep. Right now my 3 year old cuddles up with me on the couch, and I just rub his back or sing to him until he falls asleep.

I know some people are successful at teaching such a young child to fall asleep on their own. I suggest many of them simply have a child that has the right temperament for that. I find it much easier to simply do what works and what helps everyone to get a good night sleep. Having them fall asleep and then moving them to their bed works, and everyone is happy!

Get the book HEALTHY SLEEP HABITS, HAPPY CHILD by Dr. Marc Weissbluth and FOLLOW his tips!!

Does she nap during the day? If a child does not get enough sleep during the day, they get overtired and contrary to common belief, being overtired makes it HARDER for them to fall asleep.

Get the book - it is a lifesaver!!! :-) Good luck!

how many naps is she getting during the day and for how long? i wonder if this is interfering with her sleep time? what time do you put her down? unfortunately some kids at that age dont require the 8-11 hours of sleep time. do you make sure she has a full tummy before bed? could she be hungry?