14 Month Old Sleep Issues

Hi,
I have a 2 1/2 year old who also had sleep issues pretty much from birth on. We tried the crying-it-out, but I guess were not strong enough to put up with it. If you can go through with it - go for it! I just was not able to hear my baby cry and cry and sob and sob (he was also very stubborn and never cried himself to sleep...). Pretty much exactly around his 2nd birthday he suddenly decided that he is a big boy now and pretty much told us to leave the room after his goodnight story and song and then fell asleep by himself and stayed asleep for the whole night. So there is hope!
I guess eventually they all come around!
I hope the best for you and I understand very well how you are feeling!
E.

Hey J.,

I am a firm believer in the CIO method. I did it with both of my kids (now 24 and 20) it was so difficult but I was so sleep deprived that I was desperate. It really does work, however I would have a doc check him out and make sure nothing else is going on (ear infection, teeth, etc.) I wouldn't be able to listen to my baby cry if I thought something was wrong. I did a modified version, where I went in every five minutes laid them back down, put the music back on, and said night night. Eventually they realize that you are not going to pick them up, but they also know you have not abandoned them. It really is as one poster said personal choice, and extremely difficult. I know for me I was out of options, and I am CRANKY when I don't sleep LOL!! CIO usually takes three consistent days and usually by night 4 you should have a sleeping baby. Good luck I hope you get some sleep soon!!

Take a look at my blog where I have info from sleep expert Dr. Marc Weissbluth:
http://billiediscoverytoys.blogspot.com/2009/07/healthy-h...

Something that has helped my son sleep longer is a lavender and chamomile bath wash that I picked up at wal mart. You may want to push his sleep time to a later time because 7:30 -3 is about 7.5 hours so that's not bad.

I would talk to your pediatrician about the latest thoughts and advice regarding sleeping issues. Although it might be tough to work through the initial drama of changing an established pattern; the entire family will be better off once you can all sleep through the night!

J.,

I would advise against the CIO method. When children are upset and cry for a period of time their stress hormone, cortisol is elevated. Their blood pressure is also elevated during this time. New research is being done that shows the CIO method is not as great as most people think. Just like putting a baby down to sleep on their tummies was once the norm and recommended by pediatricians now we know that its not what's best for our kids.

As exceedingly inconvinient as it is, your son is crying because he needs you and doesn't have the words to tell you what's wrong. Sleep patterns can be inerrupted by a number of things: teething, a growth spurt, a cold coming on, hitting a milestone like walking, or just plain old separation anxiety.

Although it does feel like your child is torturing you keep in mind that he's not doing it on purpose. Rock him back to sleep if that's what works. He will get through it and be more confident knowing that he can count on you. You will soon miss the days of rocking your little one to sleep.

Good luck,
R.