Sleep and 15 Month Old

Sounds like a nasty combination of allergies and walking! :( My son tends to have a couple of bad weeks with sleeping whenever he hits a major new milestone, and it's always just about waiting it out. (And getting no sleep!) But with your little one, that cough sounds like it's making everything so much worse! Talk to your pediatrician about maybe taking her to an allergist. She's too young for Benedryl, I think. But a pediatric allergist would know what to try!

And of course 3-4 hours is way too long to let a baby cry! (Your instincts are right on target here. Keep following them!) Her naps may also be changing, which can make everything even harder. Maybe try to put her down for one nap in the middle of the day instead of two short ones? (Just an idea- who knows if it will work!) I know a bunch of 15 month old kiddos who take one long nap a day.

Good luck! Rest whenever she does!

Many times a child will regress with one thing as they are progressing with another. So maybe as she has been learning to walk she is sleeping less. If that is the case than it will even itself out, but it seems like something is bothering her. Did the doctor's actually do tests? I only ask because I know of several little ones who have been positive for RSV these past few weeks. The symptoms are also pretty close to allergies, any diet changes or do you possibly have a live Christmas tree in the house? I wish you the best of luck and I hope this passes.

Dear Alison,

Did the doctor say if she has post nasal drip? That will cause coughing at night because everything is dripping down the back of your throat. I have it and it sometimes makes it impossible for me to sleep. Have you tried saline drops to thin out the mucus. Also elevating the crib can help and a humidifier. You should not eliminate her naps that will only make her overtired. Maybe you can give her some Tylenol for discomfort and try to keep your nighttime routine as best you can. I would try to make her as comfortable as you can she could also be teething that will surely disrupt sleep. I did do the cry it out method and it does work. I know you are not willing but if she is not in pain, not hungry, and dry I really do not know why other that habit she would be getting up. Maybe try to go to her and not pick her up. Just pat or rub her back and see if you can get her back to sleep that way. Feeding her in the middle of the night is only going to make her keep waking up. I would stick to water and stay firm with her going back to sleep. Just keep laying her back down and say night night she eventually will realize that you are not going to take her out and go back to sleep. It may take a few night but it will work if you stick to it. Good luck!!

If she is teething or has a cold then i would suggest giving her some motrin at bed time and see if that helps. I dont think a child gets up that much at night unless there is something really bothering her. Motrin works with my daughter she will at least sleep until around 3:00 and then I give her water at that time and sometimes some cheerios. but i think the cheerios are a bad habit so probably not a good idea to start it, but it does work for getting her back to sleep. Unfortunately I have been dealing with 4 months of sleepless nights until recently due to ear infections. I would not put a bottle in the crib b/c it will rot her teeth, unless it is just water.
good luck
E.