My Daughter Doesn't Sleep

I have a lot of experience with the Benedryl because the docs used it all the time on my son when he went through chemo therapy. They gave it to him intrevenously and in the tummy. They used it to help calm him down before giving him a blood transfusion or new meds and they used it in-case of allergic reaction. In children's hospitals it's depensed like candy.

Although I feel guilty with drugging my kid, I have used it to calm him down and break him of some ingrained sleep habits. I only did it when the sleep habit was obviously happening because his body was routinely waking up through the night.

So, if you do decide to use it... you may feel guilty like me. But, I encourage you to only use in the case of a last resort and after you've tried everything.

Tip: She could be waking for legitimate needs like Molars around that age. There's no teething that throws the sleep cycle off day and night like molars. In that case, Tylenol would be the key to some more peaceful sleep. For my baby I had to alternate tylenol and ibuprofen. She had disturbed sleep for over a month but, I could clearly see that her gums were red, puffy, and teeth were putting pressure to come through. In that case, I considered the Benedryl just to have mercy on the poor child and let her get some good sleep. But, I didn't decide to use it, because her waking was normal, natural, and expected due to the situation. So, I just went with the tylenol and ibuprofen.

Maybe, you could try those first. That way you'll know if it is a pain problem. If it is, she'll sleep soundly.

A natural alternative is Tranquil Child drops. Seems to work like a charm without the guilt of drugs that have a noticable impact.

God Bless,

Y.

* The sleep of the saints is sweet. That's a bible promise to count on and pray over this situation... Hope this helps too.

I have to agree with Melissa's response. I know...I'm probably getting frowns too. But I had to do the same thing with my daughter right around 11 months too! As long as you give the correct dose it doesnt hurt them. Just find out from your doctor what the dose would be for her weight. I just give my daughter it straight in a dropper before she goes to bed if she seems to be having trouble(or has been having trouble the nights prior). Hang in there! The other thing I found with my daughter too was that if she woke up in the middle of the night and I went into her room she would cry harder when I left(we are talking 45min to and hour...so I totally get how you feel!). I learned that if she woke up that it was better to just leave her. Then she would cry less and give up sooner. I dont know if you go in when she first wakes up...but if you do maybe you should try not going in at all. And resist the urge to even check on her...if she sees you it will be all over. My daughter just heard my voice one night and went crazy! Anyways...good luck!
ps...this might sound horrible...but invest in a fan. Turn it on high so you hear your daughter cry but it drowns her out most of the way...:-) I know, maybe I sound like a mean mom...but my kid is still happy and healthy and has no issues with abandonment...and honestly...I'm a rested mommy! :-)

I'm sure I'll get some frowns for this but it's what helped me. My daughter did the same thing right around her age. I told her doctor. He suggested Children's Benadryl. Check with your doctor for the right dosage by weight. I would put some in with her bottle or juice and she would get too drowsy to fight it. It would break the sleepless cycle and she would sleep through the night and wake up refreshed and rested. After a few days or maybe a week, I would stop doing it and she would normally fall asleep. I still do it from time to time when she has struggles. Also, make sure she is getting enough rest during the day. Nap actually help sleep at night.

Good Luck.

Babies can often start waking up at night when they used to sleep through because they are teething, learning something new, gas, etc. My son is the same way (15 months) he will not go back to sleep on his own, I have to hold him, that's all he wants. I recently got a white noise machine and has been helping him sleep through the night. I don't believe in letting them cry but there are other things you can try. Will she let you lay her down while you pat her back (soothe in some way), sing to her, etc. until she falls asleep? If you continue to have problems with her sleeping I can recommend a good book I recently read - "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" by Elizabeth Pantley. She has one for "Babies" and "Toddlers and Preschoolers." You should try the one for babies first if you go that route. Good luck.