My dear 3yr-old daughter has recently started crying and whinning about everything. It started a couple of weeks ago when she got sick and has continued even after she's gotten better. She's even started waking up at night (2-3 times) screaming and crying. I don't know what to do anymore. I've tried consoling her (no effect), carrying her/cuddling her (no effect) , talking (no effect), I am at the end of my wits and patience (especially since I haven't had a good nights sleep in close to 2 weeks). I would appreciate any suggestions! I want my happy little girl back!
Thanks!
Say to yourself: This too shall pass....
In the meantime, is it possible that she has an ear infection? What you describe is my only clue that my 3-yr-old has one. Sick, gets better, then super clingy/whiny, and interrupted sleep.
Good luck.
What was she sick with? an ear infection? Maybe it came back? I know its Horrible when you dont know what to do for them! And Lack of sleep isnt helping either of you :-( Sorry mama !
Like the other ladies said maybe ear infection, my son was sick and had a round of antibiotics.. we thought he was all better but his ear infection came back. And phew was he unpleasant to be around. Poor little guy. We had to give him more medicine and then he was happy again.
I agree with the other posts, sounds like it could be an ear infection which follows being sick and is uncomfortable at night. My son was really crabby and up at night which is unusual but had no other symptoms, I took him in and yup, ear infection.
My daughter has done similar things, she turned 3 in April and was always a great sleeper. After she's been sick for a period of time, the habit of waking up several times (from being sick) somehow has managed to stick around, and for us it took about a month or more before she started to break the habit. Even changing the surrounding (staying overnight at MILs) didn't help, she still got up. She looked like hell every day from not sleeping, and eventually after a month or so started to sleep through the night again. Sometimes skipping a nap and wearing her out for the day (a la kids birthday parties) puts her out for a restful sleep as well.
Another contributor was potty training, she would get up and pee as well, rather than sleep through the night because she didn't want to go in her pullup if she was awake. Once she got more comfortable training, this overnite pee stop went away.
She also gets up a lot more when she's not comfortable, the nights we put the AC on, she stays put.
She sleeps through the night about 5 out of 7 days, still getting up. She seems to have either bad dreams, or the blanket falls off, etc.
Barring any other lingering infection/virus, this too shall pass (let's hope!). My boss is not happy when I stroll in at 9:30 because I couldn't sleep through the night and got up late because of my little one.
good luck!
