Ok....For those who have answered my other post about my little angel turing into a little devil, here's another one for you...In the last 3 nights 2 of them she has woken up around 3 or 4 crying. Now she has done this in the past but she would fuss for a little bit then go back to sleep. The 2 nights she did this recently she cried for nearly an hour. She had been sleeping through the night really well with the occasional cry but she's never stayed up crying. So, she doesn't go back to sleep until around 7 in the morning!!! When my husband or I check on her she stops crying and she doesn't seem to be in any pain. She's just really really upset. She stops crying when we pick her up (I know there are people out there that say I shouldn't pick her up but after an hour of crying I think I need to) but when we put her back in her crib and start walking out she starts the crying again. We have to stand there and soothe her back to sleep but sometimes that doesn't work. I have resorted to sleeping on the futon in her room in order for her and me to get to sleep. The only change that has been in her routine is that she was changed from breastmilk to whole milk, but that was nearly 2 weeks ago. Up until a few days she's been ok per se. I just don't know if she's having a nightmare or night terrors. When we go in she is awake so I don't think it's night terrors, but how do I deal with it if it is a nightmare? How do I get my little sleeper back?
Hi W.,
Sounds like she might be having nightmares. I have friend who's youngest was that way when she was a baby. I never thought babys could have nightmares but they do. Soothing her and letting her know she is ok might be the only way to calm her down at night. I would have to ask my friend how she dealt with it, I think she out grew it..
Good Luck
D.
My son does this occassionaly as well. He just turned two and has been doing it since before he was one. He sleeps 12 hours at night and usually it is without interruption. About once a month he will have two days where he wakes up crying hysterically for no reason. Because it is so rare we know that he just needs a little time with me or my husband. One of us will go in and pick him up and hold him for awhile. My husband likes to take him to the window and look out and talk a little while. I usually just hold him and sing. Then after about 15 minutes we put him back down and he usually goes back to sleep, or cries for just a little while and then sleeps. He is such a good sleeper and such a good baby that we don't mind putting some extra time into his routine every now and then. We have no idea what triggers this because he is the kind of kid who asks to be put to sleep at night, but sometimes he just has bad nights. Good luck.
When my little one was that age, she did the same thing. Turns out it was puss pockets from an ear infection (which was why she was better when I picked her up). Also, it could explain the fussy - nothing can please me - short tempered thing. BTW, my daughter did have a double ear infection and no fever! So don't think that she's not sick because she's not running a temp.
Hi, W.. My son did the same thing at about the same age and I figured it was his imagination taking hold. He would calm down if I was in the room but as soon as turned to walk out he was crying again. I put a spinner light in his room, which he shares with an older sister. Lately I have had to use a Dora light that illuminates the room better. He is now 21 months old and hasn't really had any problems since I started using a light in their room. I leave it on until I go to bed then usually turn it off-unless storms are possible then it stays on for my daughter more than my son.
I agree with you, though. I could never let any of my children just cry it out. It always breaks my heart. Good luck.
I have a 3 year old daughter that did the same thing. Turns out in the middle of the night she is thirsty. How we ever figured this out I dont know, but it works. She doesn't do it every night, but occasionally. Just thought I would share that with you. she has been doing it since she was about 1. Like you, I cant stand to just hear them cry either, there is usually a reason for it. Good luck.
Is it possible she's getting her first round of molars and is in pain? Mine both did the same thing when they were getting teeth. If she is, you can give her tylenol and motrin (call your pedi for the dose), that should help her sleep thru the night again.
If she isn't getting teeth, just be patient, my boys both did this occasionally and my 2 year old still does it about once or twice every few months.
Hang in there and try to nap when she does.
If your daughter is waking up like that it could be nightmares. Pay close attention to what is on tv around her. We had the same issue and have gone to a no adult tv watching rule while she is awake. It kills my dh but it has helped cut down on the nightmares. I think sometimes they see things that may not seem scary but that they don't know how to process.
Good luck!
Our youngest does thie but this is because he takes medications.....Toppamax and clodine ( seizure disorder).
I was told by another mom who ha simular child sometimes night terrors.
However in a child so young am not sure. Did she orginally sleep with you before? and maybe is crying because she does not want to sleep in her own bed? I would check for temp,diaper,and such. If nothing is wrong then let her cry for awhile ( thats like 15 to 30 minutes sometimes it is healthie for a cild to cry) I would sometimes sit on the patio with the door open, just in case and cry too. I agree with you though crying for an hour is not healthie either....feel free to e-mail me I wonder about that too.
W.,
I can relate to this. Our son, who will be one in a week and a half, recently started waking up 2-3 times in the night. He was sleeping fine until about a week ago and like you I too have given in. Only mine is worse, after the third time of getting up I resort to putting him in bed with us just to get some sleep. On Monday we went to the dr. and she said it could be teething. He does not have all his teeth yet so she said he may be waking from the discomfort. She advised me to give him tylenol when he first wakes to ease the pain. Results: Some nights are good and others are not, but I think that the ones that are not are caused from the bad habit I started by putting him in bed with us.
One issue at a time:)
I hope that helps!
If you breastfeed her for a year and then did the switch over, it could be the bonding that she is having problems with and that could cause her to be upset. It maybe bothering her now, because after two weeks she realized no more nursing and it is possible she is just having trouble adjusting to that. Or there is a possibility of the milk bothering her. It maybe upsetting her stomach, she may have a problem digesting milk. Just some thoughts I had I hope you can get to the bottom of it and get some sleep. Take Care.
