Sleeping & Naps

He sounds just like my son did/does. My son is now 3 yrs. and his still does this sometimes (not often). There maybe an underlying cause (since you mentioned your family has had the bug going around) that maybe causing it or something like an ear infection, sore throat, growing spurt, etc. My son really did that same exact thing when he had strep throat (which was so often he had tonsils removed). Every child is different, so try to listen to the screams...does it sound like pain, anger, etc. My son also has woke from dreams that will throw him into tantrums. If that was the case I would try to soothe him and if it didn't work (which it usually didn't) I would let him scream it out until he would finally whimper "mommy" and then I would know he was ready to go back to sleep. Unless, you think he may need medical attention, I would stick to the schedule you have in place and wait it out a little longer because your schedule sounds pretty good for his age. Sometimes it takes these guys a little longer to get back into a routine after they have been ill. Goodluck and hang in there! :)

I dont know if this will work out for you, but this is what I would do. I would put him to bed a little later, like 830-9am and if he wakes up screaming like that, I would just bring him in bed with me. It sounds like something is scaring him and being in your bed for that time may make him more secure. Were you sleeping with him while he was sick? I know some people say its a bad habit to have them in your bed, but if its only a couple hours and will calm his screaming....why not? If my kids were seriously scared of something, they come to bed with me and we work on their problems later. So people will say its a bad habit to start, but my kids never had a problem going back to their own bed t he next night or two when they felt better.
My daughter even slept in my room the 1st year of her life, in her own bed but right next to me, and I had no problems moving her to her own room when I felt like it was time. He could still not be feeling 100% and just want his Mommy. I personally wouldnt ignore or play tough guy at 5am when my baby is screaming for me. At least if you take him to bed with you, you both may get some much needed sleep. Good luck! Hope this helps.

Some kids need less sleep and as they get older they need less. I would try to put him down earlier and maybe open up the door an hour and a half in and just let him wake up with the noise going on in the house.

L.

Hi S.,

Here you go again. I'm sorry your son is not sleeping.

The advice Kasi gave you is sound advice. I'd try that and see what happens.

I agree that there is an underlying cause. My son went through something similar a few weeks ago. It also had to do with an illness. Whenever he'd wake me up crying, (after he was over his illness) I'd stick to my guns and put him back to bed. I'd say nothing to him, cover him up and made it as boring as possible for me to be in there. Pretty soon, he stopped crying in the middle of the night. It took a while, (about two weeks)... BUT HE STOPPED!! There was nothing wrong with him! He was just spoiled with me going in his room at night. He now sleeps from 9 p.m to 6:30/7 a.m.

You might want to try what I did. I'll warn you... it's not going to be easy. When you put him in bed, tell him you expect him to sleep all night, then leave him there for the night. When he wakes up crying, check on him, make sure he's OK, then leave. If he continues crying, check on him about every 5-10 minutes. When you go back in the room lay him down, cover him up, etc. then leave. He's probably going to throw a FIT, but soon he'll get the idea of what's expected of him.

About his nap... I'd say leave it the same you had it before the "bug". If it worked before, it'll work again.

Just think... pretty soon, you're going to have that little, bouncy-cuteness back on track. Let that be your motivation.

Keep us updated!! ls