This is actually for a friend of mine. Her son will not take naps, nor will he sleep through the night. He wakes up on average 7 times a night. Thankfully I never had this problem, but I was also one on those moms that believed in the ferber method.
Thanks Mamas and Daddy's
I'd look for a medical issue. A toddler's body should be so worn out that they can't stay awake that many hours.
I'd also look for food issues like caffeine, red dye 40, or some other additives that cause behavior issues.
Poor family. That must be miserable.
Any other issues involved? Has she talked to the pediatrician? She needs to ask the doc, cause sleep this screwed up isn't healthy for baby or mom.
We used Ferber, it worked for us.
Whoever the night time care giver is should step out of the picture for 4 days to a week. Without the reinforcement of the sleep associations, the patterns will probably cure themselves.
Bless her and her household for functioning without sleep for this long.
F. B.
PS- I would act quickly, this is all much easier when a child is in a crib.
I bet it's just a habit that can be broken by not running in the minute the baby stirs. Let him try to soothe himself back to sleep. If, after a few minutes he is still fussing, then go in a pat his back, but don't make eye contact and definitely DO NOT get him out of bed or offer a bottle or anything else that would make him WANT to wake up time and time again.
He probaby doesn't nap because he's overtired. If she can just get him over this hump, he'll probably go back to taking naps.
