I NEED HELP!

[lilmamaem]

I have a little girl and she won't sleep through the night.  She wakes up about half way through the night every night and uses any excuse she can think of to get out of bed or not have to go back to sleep.  I'm at my wits end I don't know what to do anymore.  If anyone has any suggestions I will try anything.  Thank you.

[momtonb&ab]

can you tell us how old she is and what your daytime routine is?  do you use Baby Whisperer methods?  are you familiar with Tracy and her techniques? 

if you can, please post your routine telling us as much as you can about when she wakes, when she eats, what she eats, when she naps and for how long, and what time you put her to bed.  ideas about your routines around sleep times would be helpful to us so we can have a better idea of how to help you.  as well, has there been any changes to her sleep pattern?  is she old enough to be potty trained? 

i know i am asking a lot of questions but there are lots of things we can consider with a bit more information.  you have come to the right place, we will do our best to help you!

[lilmamaem]

She is two and a half I am planning on potty training starting next month she goes to bed between seven and eight she wakes up anywhere between six and nine depending on the night and she will watch a little TV and get dressed then we spend time with my boyfriend until he leaves for work around two then we will run whatever arrends I need to run and then when we get home we will play and while i make dinner I will put on one of her shows then we eat dinner and get ready for bed.  She likes to eat waffles, pop-tarts, noodles, cheese.  She will usually eat what I give her she likes fruit, frozen veggies if she doesn't eat her dinner she will go to bed hungry. I try to give her new things when I can.  I live with my boyfriend.  She does see her dad every other weekend when he is in town right now he is working in Vegas and he won't be home for about a month.  I think she is too young to realize whats going on.

[*Becky*]

does she nap during the day at all?

[babybarr]

Just for ease could you maybe post your routine in wake, eat, sleep format just take an average sort of day.

[momtonb&ab]

It sounds like she doesn't nap from your post. If that is the case I think it might be your problem!

[lilmamaem]

She doesn't nap anymore.  How could that be a problem ?

[*Becky*]

She could be getting OT and this could be the reason for the night wakings. When did she give up her nap? does she show tired signs in the day?

[Tweakster]

She does see her dad every other weekend when he is in town right now he is working in Vegas and he won't be home for about a month.  I think she is too young to realize whats going on.

I wouldn't discount this.  She has developed object permanence now so she knows dad exists even when he's not around.  Kids are really sensitive to change so that every other weekend could be causing some of the wonkiness.  How does she sleep when she's with him?

[lilmamaem]

From what he tells me she has no problems but he could just say that so I feel like im not a good mom.  She stopped napping right after she turned two which was in Feb.

[~*Nicole*~]

I bet she does need the nap or some type of a rest at some point or at least every other day, little kids don't tend to be able to sleep well at night if they are running on too little sleep during the day. They get overtired and it can accumulate and cause you trouble later on. I also bet that she does realize some of what is going on with her dad. Sometimes he's around, sometimes not. It might be a vague realization, but I am sure she notices something and is confused about it.

[momtonb&ab]

how are things?