Almost 2Yr Old Waking During Night

Updated on August 21, 2009
E.H. asks from Columbus, OH
9 answers

My son is 23 months old. He sleeps in his crib in his room & has done so since 7weeks of age. We have been fortunate (until now) that he's been sleeping 10-12 hours through the night since about age 9mo. The past 3 weeks or more, he has been waking up screaming and crying, asking for his dad (sometimes asking for mom). He wants one of us to hold him while he sleeps. For a while my husband would just bring him into the bed with us-NOT GOOD. Now he stays in his room, but as soon as we lay him back down he wakes up crying all over again. This cycle may last for up to two hours. Sometimes he cries himself to sleep. However, this is hard for us because we both work full time jobs and are missing a lot of sleep. We do know its not a teething issue. Has anyone experienced this or have info. to offer?

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E.M.

answers from Cleveland on

We had the same issue with my son at about 16 months. I know this sounds awful, but we would let him cry it out (I would sit there and stare at the video monitor being the crazy mom that I am). The first night was the hardest, but after that he cried a little less each night. After 3 nights, he was back to sleeping through the night again. It is definitely tough to hear him cry but if we would have just kept on going in there, I think the problem would have never stopped! Good luck!

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R.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

My son is the same age and he does this on occasion, not every night. He may wake up out of his sleep and only find peace and comfort with us around, to where we may have to spend a few hours getting him back to sleep. I was just reading about nightmares that start to happen around this age, typically a bit older. I am not sure why it may be happening, its a guessing game for me too, but hang in there. I hate to say it, but having kids means sacrificing sleep. If it is every night, you may want to put a call into the doctor just to see what they say. Good luck!

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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

"Monsters"? Their imagination starts to get the best of them and they get really scared of the dark, shadows and being alone. My neice just turned two in Feb. and does the same thing, except when she is going down for bed. They just let her sleep on the couch or in their bed. My son did the same thing at around the same age. We did a lamp with a 7 watt light bulb. It helped a lot. I also search for monseters with our monster flashlight and set up a "gaurd" with the stuffed animals. He finally grew out of it.

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K.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Rule out ear infections or other health issue. If it's all good, you're just going to have to let him cry it out.

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K.P.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I was visiting my kids recently and they were having the same problem. There is a book for this but for the life of me I can't remember the name of it or who wrote it and I left it with them. I do remember it said to put the child to bed if they don't stay there put them back again but don't look at them and don't say anything. It will take several times but when they see you aren't goiing look at them and talk to them they will stay in their own bed. Never let them sleep with you because that is the beginning of sleepless nights for you. Good Luck

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S.F.

answers from Dayton on

When one of my twins starting doing this after sleeping wonderfully we laid on the floor by his crib and held his hand or sometimes he didn't even want our hand, he just needed us there. Our rules were he did not come into our room and he had to stay in his crib/bed. It took us about 3-4 nights and then the night waking stopped. Whatever you try you need to give at least 3-4 nights to work. You may lose some sleep for those few nights which will make work a bear for you the next day but it may be worth it to get every body back in a good sleep routine. Best of luck.

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T.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

My 23 month old has been doing the same thing! I went in to get him one night because I thought something was really wrong since he never cries. Mistake. He was up for the day at 5am that morning. We are down the hall from our son and don't hear him often, but know he has woken other mornings around 4, cries about 10 minutes and eventually gets himself back to sleep. So just letting hime cry it out? Hopefully another phase, right?! We're right there with you and trying for a second as well! Sleep feels so good!

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C.D.

answers from Canton on

We're currently going through this as well. Our daughter (17 months) has been an excellent sleeper and just this past weekend has started this. I've tried to read what I can on the internet and ask other parents.
I read about night terrors and their not even being really awake. I have also read a lot about the importance of routine for getting them to go to bed.
My husband's suggestion was to let her cry it out which at times works but other times it gets louder and lounder and lasts longer than I am comfortable with. We have started going in, changing her diaper if it needs it and putting her back to sleep in the crib. We walk out and she has typically gone back to sleep. Initally, it was not quick but after several nights of walking in and out quickly (not staying to sooth her to sleep, just to make sure all her needs were met) the time decreased. I think she is at a stage where she needs some reassurance but we both don't want her sleeping with us. So, we've decided to try to be as consistant as possible hoping that this will provide some comfort and structure.
Initally my husbnand spent time talking/singing to her and rubbing her back but as soon as he walked away she started screaming.

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M.Z.

answers from Indianapolis on

I'd bet money that its night terrors. talk to your dr. ours says that he is not awake. definately console him. He said that bringing him to our bed will not create bad habits. you need to console him until he actually waskes up and then you can go back to your normal routine. We've been going through it for about four months now.Some nights are worse than others. But it happens less often as time goes on. Our dr. says that its their brain learning to adjust. Good luck. I wish there was an easy cure but I guess it seems to be one of those lovely "stages" we will laugh about later

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