Hi all, nothing major but just wanted to pick your brains on a snoozing setback.
For the past two nights my lovely, formerly sound sleeper has roused several times crying/screaming. She's never been that great of a sleeper, but for the past few months has been giving us decent nights.
I'm wondering what could have caused this setback.
This wasn't just waking up once and crying back to sleep but at 1 a.m., 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. DH went in and rocked her back to sleep at 1 a.m. I went in at 4 a.m. and reverted to nursing, and at 6 a.m. we didn't go in and she went back to sleep until 9 a.m.
As a side, I noticed she's been drooling a lot and crankier during the day than usual. I wonder if she's cutting some molars but I can't get her to give me a peek :-).
Anyway, I welcome any feedback on those who have been there, cried that.
Thanks
I agree with cutting teeth. Also, could she be going through a growth spurt and so she's hungrier?
This has been happening with my son too. He is the same age and has been drooling up puddles haha. I gave him his toothbrush and by doing that he let me see into his mouth and he is getting his 2 year old molars now, so thats why mine has been crankier than usual.
Like today, anything naughty that he can do he has been. Knocking things down, (more than usual lol) and various other things. He just doesnt know what to do with himself I suppose. I gave mine some Tylenol, it always seems to help a little, and then my usually good boy comes back.
Try before bed giving her some Tylenol and maybe some teething gel and hopefully that works for you too.
I also gave my son more blankets in his bed so he is cozier and also a night light and he has slept so much better. He was never a good sleeper, until recently he never slept through the night, and now he does. Yay!
Hope she starts sleeping better!
Teeth could be the problem. Have you tried a dose of tylenol? It can make a big difference. She may also be experiencing nightmares or night terrors, which are fairly common in this age group (more info here: http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/sleep.htm)
I disagree that comforting your child by whatever means necessary will lead to future dependence. In my experience, most children will gratefully sleep through the night whenever the disturbing influence has passed. In some cases, the sleepless phase may last 3 or 4 or 6 weeks, but kids don't wake themselves up on purpose to make extraordinary demands on their parents.
I'm sure there must be some cases where a toddler will start waking up demanding care as a matter of habit, but among families I know, their kids pass through a phase and then go right back to sleeping through the night. I have heard about a few cases in my extended circle where parents had to get rid of chemical influences in their children's lives to help their central nervous systems calm down. Scented laundry products tend to be a major influence (most fabric sheets are downright toxic).
Wishing you a short interuption!
Not sure, but please beware that rocking and nursing her back to sleep are likely to lead to a problem that doesn't go away when the teething does....
2 year molars is my guess for sure!
We are going through the same thing. Since you mentioned drooling I would guess teething. Our remedy is a does of infant tylenol before bed. It soothes the pain and helps them sleep.
We also find Hyland teething tablets work great.
Hope that helps.
