My child has not been sleeping well the past three nights. He just wakes up crying and whining. He does this at least three times per night and he is not sick. Any suggestions?
He will be turning two in October. He wakes up about three times per night. Usually I try giving him his nook and sometimes he will take it other times he just screams more. I usually then pick him up and rock him for about ten minutes and that works. Only to have to go through the whole process again about two hours later. When and if a third time comes I put him in bed with me and he goes to sleep but he still wakes up but does not cry because he realizes he is with me.
Please don't give your child an electronic device to soothe him. And unless you want him sleeping in your bed permanently, leave him in his own bed. That might be the reason he keeps waking up...he knows if he makes noise and whines enough times, he'll get his nook or will get to come sleep with you. Stop giving him a payoff.
He may be getting some molars in. A snuggle, some children's Tylenol, and leaving the room quiet and dark is enough.
When you say nook, do you mean the ereader or a pacifier?
I agree that he could be getting his 2 year molars. Kids get those at different ages, and they tend to hurt more than the earlier teeth did.
If when he wakes up and he's already in your bed he doesn't cry, it's possible he really likes sleeping with you. If you are open to it, co-sleeping can mean you get a lot more sleep because, well, you would actually get to sleep.
Many people will warn you that if you let him sleep on your bed now he will never leave. It is true that dome kids have more trouble transitioning than others, but most kids do just fine. We did co-sleep, and for us it was absolutely worth it as we were not getting much sleep the other way.
We might be able to better help you if we had a little more information. How old is your little one? Is he awake for a long time, or is it just a little fuss and back to sleep? I've gotten some good help here and I know you could too, you will probably have to give us a little more to go on.
I wonder if his 2 year molars may be coming in. That would certainly disrupt sleep.
Hi M.,
I don't disagree with any of the responses below. I would add though that he might be having bad dreams. This is indicated to me by the fact that when he's in the bed with you his response is different. He's not even 2 and probably can't really articulate what the issue is so you're left guessing and, understandably, tense over the situation.
Does he have a lovie? I know people disagree on the value of a nightlight because they think it interferes with the human growth hormone. I've found though that if we leave the light on in an adjacent room and crack the door for my DS, that gives just enough illumiation so that if he wakes from a nightmare, he can quickly orient himself and self soothe back to sleep.
At the risk of sounding judgemental, I must echo the objection to offering him an electronic device to soothe him, I think it is beyond counterproductive and could be making things worse.
It's all about navigating through the phases. This too shall pass and I commend you on trying to find solutions. :-) S.
He may be physically uncomfortable even if he doesn't look sick? How old is he? Has anything changed? Maybe something that seems unimportant to you but that is affecting him. Might he be too warm or too cool? Is there tension in the house? Is he old enough to talk about how he's feeling?
I suggest you try going in to him, reassure him, perhaps sit quietly with him until he'drowsy. Interact very little. Don't give him the Nook unless he's school age and reading helps him get sleepy. No games. Consistently do this. If nothing is wrong he will learn how to get back to sleep.
Teething, ear infection, sinus congestion that is dried out, etc...something is painful when he lays down.
