2 Year Old Sleep Issues - New Baden,IL

M., just my two cents, but i have a very sensitive little two year old boy who i think would be terrified to be in the hospital having any kind of surgery. if it was my son i would be convinced it was nightmares too. regardless of whether it's a behavior issue or actual nightmares, though, i would try to give him some more time. he may still remember being in the hospital and not want to be alone yet. i understand the need to get better sleep on your part, though! maybe try coming to his room less and less often when he's restless, slowly getting him used to you not running to his side. just a suggestion, i hope he lets you get some sleep soon!

Does your child drink milk? If so, I would try switching to soy milk (Silk brand at the grocery store is really good). Since this has been going on for so long, it very well could be an intolerance to dairy. If you don't think he will take to the switch immediately gradually introduce it. You can start with small amounts of soy milk and add it to regular milk and each time add more soy less cows milk.
Just an idea but hope it helps!
M.

I have 4 year old twins and a 3 year old. they have all have some issues with waking at night from time to time. it normally occured when they were growing. since most kids actually grown in thier sleep, up to several inches in a few days it can cause some discomfort. i would have to get up several times a night to tuck them back in and this would last for up to a week. he may just be gowing thru a growth phase and it will pass soon.

contact a sleep study program.

Hi. Have you considered the possibility of food allergies? My daughter has also never been a good sleeper. She has allergies to milk, corn and beef, and as an infant had issues with wheat as well. We can definitely see a pattern with sleep and what she eats. Milk is the most common with kids. They don't always show up on tests either...my daughter's didn't even though they were pretty severe. We hasd to figure it all out on our own. Milk takes 2 weeks or so to get out of the system, so you would have to drop it for that long to see a complete change. Watch what he eats and see if you can find pattern. If his surgery was for ear tubes--chronic ear infections can be a sign of milk allergy. Good luck.

My son has sleep issues also, but for different reasons. Thru the course of going to different doctors, the one thing they always tell me is to try melatonin. It is a natural sleep herb. They sell it at wild oats or whole foods. My son likes the orange. I give him 3mg and he is 50lbs. If that does not help your issue. I would look into going to the Doctor. I took my son to Anne Roemaker. She is a sleep doctor. She can help eliminate if it is behavior or medical. Its worth a try. I have found for me, that it is best to hear everything everyone has to say, all the options, because there are things out there that we are not even aware of. Good Luck

I'm a little cynical but I'd get a second opinion from a different doctor because it really sounds to me like he could be having discomfort or pain. But truly it can also be nightmares/terrors caused by memories of being in the hospital. Since at two they don't understand why they can't go home with mommy and daddy and what is going on around them.

I take valerian root to help relax me although for some people it puts them to sleep much like melatonin. you might see if they offer it in a tea or child dose. its mild and relaxs the muscles. try wild oats or if your close to lawernce try the Merc.