18 month sleep regression support thread

[Tweakster]

Hi there Shaunna, how's it going?  It sounds like discomfort rather than a sleep regression.  Residual illness or teeth is my bet.

Have you tried a 1 p.m. nap?  Only thing that strikes me is his nap is a tad early for his waketime and length of night.

[JayLeigh]

Hi Wendy, I suspect discomfort too but cant figure out for what!! I can't get a look at his back molars but sticking my pinky in the gums do feel soft but nothing is coming through yet. Could it be too early for 2-year molars?

NWs have decrease4d, though I do hear him whimpering periodically. But the past couple of days I have gotten short naps and EWs.

So I really don't know I guess!!

[Tweakster]

These final molars are elusive;  Finn started and stopped then started then stopped...I felt one bottom left then it disappeared! So it's not too early.  Sounds like he got OT and so in that case I would move the nap back to 11:30 to see if it helps get him back on track.  And meds before bed or a DF of meds to see if it helps.

[JayLeigh]

Tried for an early bedtime the other day and he slept a 12.5 hour night!! So obviously he needed to catch up from some OT. Thanks for your help. I am sure I will be back with legitimate sleep regression!!

[marlowsmom]

We are still battling the 2-1.   I'm SOOOO OVER IT!     DD1 was STTN by this age and taking a 1.5 hr nap everyday at 1230pm.    Now I'm starting to wonder if I try giving Marlow a set nap time and bedtime and see what happens.    Someone had posted this in one of the 12-18 mo birth club boards but I can't find it now.    She said she set the bed/naptimes and it was hell for 2 weeks but her LO finally settled into the schedule. 

Currently her awake time is fluctuating.    Today she woke at 5am.   That's the earliest she woken in a while.   Her teeth don't seem to be bothering her and I've stopped giving her meds for the last 2 days to see what would happen.    While I haven't had any NW, she has EW the past two days.    I will probably start up the meds again and see if things improve.   I'm going to have to aim for 2 naps today.   It's going to be tough since we have to get about 7 tree taken out of our backyard today.   The wood chipper is going to be the problem.

[Tweakster]

Things went to pot in our house too, it started with OT now he's ill with a sore red throat.  And I know those teeth are back in there, messing things up somehow, waiting to pounce.

Why are you taking your trees out??

[marlowsmom]

We had Pine Bark Beetles in 2 of the trees.    Pine trees don't offer much shade just pine cones and pine needles so we took them all out.

I've had better luck the last two days with Marlow.   She's getting a 4.15 hr A, 20 min nap, 3.5 hr A, then  1.5 hr nap.    She slept 1.5 hr yesterday and 1.15 today in the PM nap so I may have to adjust that down to 3.15 A before the PM nap.    Anyway, I'm hoping to keep her in recovery mode until she starts waking at 630am.    We have the stinking DST coming up and I want her caught up on her sleep when that hits.

[littlerascalsmum]

Hello, don't know if there is anyone out there currently experiencing the 18 month sleep issues but I am going through hell here! My boy is cutting his canines (3 on the go at the same time) and I am hoping against hope that it is why his sleep is so awful, He has never been the best sleeper but this is ridiculous! The other night he was up from 1 till 5 then started his day at 6.30. Last night was up from 2 till 5 then thank goodness slept in till 7.20 (big sleep in for us) before all these issues he was doing 7.30 bed, 6 - 6.30 wake up, 12/12.30 nap for 2 hours.

He has also dropped to 1 1/2 hour nap and try as I might I can't get him to do an extra catch up. Can it really be teeth causing all this mess? His night wakings are him moaning then quite followed by his hideous screaming he does when he is angry/wants something. Weird thing is I walk in and he automatically snuggles down, closes his eyes and basically pretends to be a sleep - I walk out and it starts up again! The other issue is it seems the terrible twos have started early and we are having mega tantrums - not sure if it is because he is so over tired or his new developments are causing the night wakings.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks

[*Jo*]

It sounds like teeth to be honest and with the snuggling back down into bed, we had that as well, not sure what that was but I think a few mums have had success saying their key phrase at the door rahter than actually going in?

OT would seem to be the culprit and of course the fact that they are suddenly becoming little people with their own opinions on things too doesnt help! lol

[littlerascalsmum]

Thanks Calebsmummy, another hell night last night - up From 1.30am till 5!!!!!! I guess at least he slept 'in' until 7.20 but what with his other night waking at 11pm (which he fell back asleep from quickly thank goodness) I am utterly exhausted. Did walk in/out non stop and just stood at the door, he did calm down but 5 mins later was moaning again. He  is having meds for teeth but who knows if that is really the issue! He is definitely cutting his canines but this seems so abnormal. I goggled sleep specialists this morn and am seriously considering it if it carries on!!!!!

If it is teeth do you think I should be doing wi/wo or just try comforting him? Whatever I'm doing now certainly isn't working!!!!!

[*Jo*]

ok, for that kind of carry on I wouldnt suggest wi/wo, did you try patting him at all? this seems more than just sleep regression, I would try posting on the Toddler board for some one on one support for this. Whenever we had this kind of thing with Caleb we did whatever we could to get him back to sleep, even if that meant driving him in the car/giving him a bottle etc

[babybarr]

I would try posting on the Toddler board for some one on one support for this

Def do this.  Lots of mums will see it then and can have a look properly

[LinziB]

Hi All, reading along as we have also had some weird NW recently but usually straight back to sleep after a quick tuck in ... my guess SA but not 100% sure.  Definately not to early for 2yr molars. Holly has all teeth bar 1 which is making it way through now and then she'll be done with all teething!

[LinziB]

Thx. Going to give the key phrase from the door instead of WI/WO a try tonight.  Though I'm sure it will be sabotaged as we are barbequeing at my moms and then H will probably fall asleep in the car so no issues for her going to sleep at bedtime.  And when she goes down well at bedtime she usually doesn NW or if she does she self soothes and we don't have to go in.  Writing this now I'm think she might be a bit OT at bedtime ... since I've been working we have been getting her up at 6:30am and then only home around 6pm then its a mad rush for supper and bath and our supper etc. so by the time she gets to bed sometimes she's probably OT. Will make effort to get her down earlier too I think!

[consmummy]

I think we're hitting this now too.

A lot of it is teeth related. In the last couple of weeks his top canines have come down into position, although they're not through yet. And not only that I'm still waiting on his last molar (1st set) and a 4th bottom tooth that has yet to appear!

While the canines were moving around it was soooo hard to get him to sleep. I'd be outside his door listening. I cold hear he was trying so hard to get to sleep but then he'd just cry out in pain. Bless him he was so good through it though, even though it was taking 30-45 mins for him to finally drop off. I'd only go in if his crying became prolonged and he needed a bit of reassurance.

So anyway that's stopped now, he's going to bed fine. But in the last few nights he's been waking at various times, 1am, 3am, Sat night it was only 10pm! And I have to confess I've just been bringing him in with us as he's not settling at all, wont lie down, just sits up and screams and reached out for me. I do try but can't for too long as it wakes his brother up and then I have him to deal with as well. Big brother is playing up now too, but that's a whole other story, he's 5 and knows better!

None of us are getting much sleep at the moment!