23 Month Old Waking up Too Often

Music is what works for my kids. I have always used soft music, usually lullabies, with my kids for sleep. But we also have a bed time routine that is easy and my kids love routine. First, we go upstairs and change into pj's (some nights it's bath first). Then we pick out a book, and cuddle. Then it's hugs and kisses, turn on the music, turn out the lights, and time for bed. Now here is the best part. If my kids wake during the night, all I have to do is turn on their music and BAM their right back to sleep. Now you have to remember, that any bedtime "bad habits" will take time to undo. And since there is a new baby in the house, it may be difficult to start any changes right now. I know not what you want to hear. But if you can get a routine that you like, keep it up for a couple weeks before you give up hope. Try the music. It helps set the mood. I even use it for nap time. It helps.

Hey C.,

I am not here to judge you and I hope some of my suggestions can help you out you must be at your wits end. First, I was wondering do you have a bedtime routine to help him to wind down like bath, story, etc. Children thrive on routine and consistency so maybe he is just having a hard time settling himself down at night. I know you are not big on the cry it out method but I am a huge advocate of it if it is done properly. When I did it with my kids I made sure we had a routine. First we did bath, then story and then into their cribs with music on. I would use the same words like night night, mommy loves you and leave the room. He is going to cry but unfortunately that is part of the process. I went every five to ten minutes to check my kids, lay them back down, say night night mommy loves you and then leave the room. Here is the hard part because they become angrier and cry harder when you leave but you are letting them know that you are still there (so he does not feel abandoned) and your not going to pick him up. The first night it can last about an hour the next night it should be cut in half and the third night maybe just a few minutes. By night four you should have a sleeping child. I also did it at nap time so I could create consistency for sleeping. It really is difficult to do but it does work as long as you don't give in. Once you give in you have to start all over. I wouldn't do it unless you are mentally prepared to listen to the crying because if you give in he will cry harder and longer waiting for you to come and get him. I did it out of desperation as well my daughter would be up 5 to 6 times a night and I was a walking zombie so I know how you feel. Good luck keep us posted.

Hi C.,

I have 4 children and have had all kinds of various sleep issues. I've tried everything too :-). With my youngest son, we finally got him to sleep better with adding a magnesium/calcium suppliment. We used dolomite. We just crushed up the suppliment and put it in a little yogurt and banana. That helped so much. The next thing we did was put him on the GAPS diet. Basically we removed any processes foods, including sugar and wheat from his diet. Now he sleeps like a baby ;-) I don't know where that saying comes from. lol.

Also, an Epsom salts bath works wonders. My son gets an Epsom salts bath every night.

I've never been a "cry-it-" out mom, so I've looked for other solutions.

Also consider removing toxic household and personal products from your home. You'd be surprised the effect they have on the body. You can see my site for info on that.

There is some other info that I've come across in my quest to get my son to sleep, one of the things was to eliminate any light, not even the dim light of an alarm clock. Total black out. Also, no electronic equipment in his room or where is supposed to be sleeping.

That's all I can remember right now.

Blessings to you. I hope you get some sleep soon. It's not easy.

T. E.
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www.LovinLifeWithHomeBiz.com

my daughter is a good sleeper so I dont know if this will help but she went through a phase recently and she wasnt sleeping well at night. I have read 3 sleep books so I felt like I was doing everything right and wasnt sure what it could be. So I decided to do one of the things the book suggested... and that was to change her schedule. I was letting her wake up late b/c she wasnt sleeping well at night. So I woke her up by 7:30 gave her breakfast. Made sure she had lunch by 12 noon put her down for her nap by 1:00 the latest. Before her naps were some times as late at 2:30 and I would have to wake her up so it did not ruin bedtime. And then I moved her bedtime up she was put in bed by 8:00. before some times she wasnt able to fall asleep until 9:30 which is too late for a 20 month old. It worked great. She slept through the night the first night. The book I used to come to figuring out this problem mentioned many times that sleep beget sleep. Her nap wasnt long enough durring the middle of the day and I would have to wake her up. If your son is not sleeping well during the night then he will need a good nap and after lunch is the best time for them at this age. Once he catches up on his sleep he should sleep better during the night. One a child become sleep deprived like he most likely is then when he catches up on his sleep he will sleep better. I hope this works. I dont like crying it out either. It doesnt work for my daughter anyway. Try 1/2 a teaspoon of benedryl to help at the beginning. Sleep really does beget sleep and once he starts to sleep better than it should get better for you.
E.