Severe Sleep Issues

mom2peanuts02 · 06-23-2004, 11:53 AM

I am not even sure if anyone can

me, it might be too late, but I need to get this out. I have tried several things to no avail. Eric does not go to

on his own and does not stay a

all night. He also falls a

on the couch for his nap and I cannot move him for fear of waking him up. I recently took away the crib and started using the toddler bed. It is no worse than the crib, just a different set of problems now. For him to fall a

at night, I have to lay down with him. He will usually fall a

by 930pm, this is too late. He then wakes up at least 2 times each night, and I have to lay down with him again. One good thing is that he no longer asks to

in my bed. I really really want to

all night. I cannot take this much longer. I am trying hard to be patient, since it has only been 2 nights in the bed. But he wont nap in there either. I cannot get anything done around the house when he is napping in the living room, which will cause more stress for me. He falls a

on his own, sort of, on the couch in front of the TV. I should send Sara away for a few days and let Eric SIO (that would be scream it out, not

it out, b/c that is what he will do).

I have decided that it must be me because Sara still needs someone to sit with her for 5 minutes at bedtime, and she is 7.
So can I just give up now? thanks for listening to me ramble.

Lightnin · 06-24-2004, 09:47 PM

I only have one DD, so that hardly makes me an expert, but

issues were a problem that required creative solutions when DD was small b/c she went to daycare where the state mandates a nap-time that can translate into a 3-hour power nap in the middle of the day. The following things

ed us live sane lives:
1) Don't tiptoe while he's

ing. Short of running the vacuum cleaner, if he wakes up while you're cleaning, he's not tired enough to

.
2) Leave the TV off until the

pattern returns to normal. Reading favorite or new stories at pre-scheduled times can be a great substitue.
3) Use sugar to your advantage.
a. No candy or sugary treats except for use in strategic

re-scheduling. If you find that he's napping too early, the strategic use of an oatmeal

could push the nap-time back a little.
b. Serve a large tippy-cup full of chocolate Ovaltine 30 minutes before bed-time.
4) Establish a bed-time ritual that is tailored to the childs personality, and family culture. Example: Drink Ovaltine, brush teeth, tell jokes, read bed-time story, play the lullaby CD, say good night
5) Realize that you will not be a great Mom if you can't get some shut-eye. If you have to, grab a pillow and

ing bag and

on the floor in the kids room until he gets used to the new bed. You can slip out in the

before he wakes up, and he will think that he slept the whole night by himself.

mom2peanuts02 · 06-25-2004, 12:45 PM

Thank you so much for the tips. I will def try them all!!!

The last 2 nights have been much better. I started more of a routine. Brush teeth, try potty, read books, lights out. He tries to insist that I lay down with him, but I refuse. Eventually he listens to me, because he knows that if he does not, I will leave. SO then I sit with him and rub him a bit until he gets

y. I move my way off the bed and out the door. He wakes up 1 time each night so far, but it did not take too long to get him back to

, without picking him up!!! So, I see a light at the end of my dark,

less tunnel.

Thanks again for the tips!