Dear Doctor
My name is Paula. I am a 26 year single mum with a 18 month old son. I am a student and we live on our own, hear in n. ireland.
I am emailing as my last hope
. My son has never ever slept through the night. Until he was 6 months old he slept in his crib in my room, but then he came down with a sever chest infection so I brought him into my bed (which is fine). I never managed to get him back in the cot and I fidget a lot so I know i am contributing to his night wakening. He has not had a bottle of milk for the past four months, he squeals if i even try lol. Our routine is we wake up around 8 o clock. Change nappy and clothes, got down for breakfast (cereal/toast) then he goes the the toilet (usually very regular). Around 11.30 he well have a light lunch (i used to give him his dinner at this time rather than in the afternoon but he eats better this way) then a two our nap around 12ish can be later or earlier. He normally sleeps for 2 hours, he either needs me to cuddle into him and sing or sits on my lap watching a dvd to sleep. He will wake between 3 & 4 times during this nap to check that i am there i need to either sssshhhh him and pat his back or cuddle and sing to get him back to sleep. If he wakes and i am not there (ie needed to go to the toilet eg) he squeals. He then will wake up play for 1/2 hr or so then have his dinner. Bath a six, then I let him run around without his nappy for a while. Supper 6.30 then i bring him up to bed around 7ish read him a book then have to do the same as the nap til he sleeps. He wakes around 7-10 times in the night mostly for juice. he would drink around 500mls through the night. i have tried gradually watering it down but again he will cry and get himself wound up. I have tried loads of different methods such as tracy hoggs (the baby whisperer), the gradually removal and even tried the controlled crying ( I am totally against this but I was desperate) but none nearly worked. Shea (my son) would cry so hard he passes out/vomits then will not leave your arms the rest of the day (spent the whole nap and night with him on my chest). Please can you help me. I have went to my doctor health visitor and social service and they all said let him cry it out and are not sympathetic at all. There are NO experts in Northern or Southern Ireland (I have searched) and the ones in the UK charge a fortune I could never ever afford it. I know this problem will not sort itself out. Please can you help me or point me in the right direction.
