Having a break down over 2 yos sleep. Please, please, please...any ideas?

[Mjaz]

Yes 26 months.  He was up all night, every hour last night.  And now he's going on one hour of bedtime screaming.  Can't take it anymore.

[ZacsMumme]

Have you had his ears checked? I wonder if he is in discomfort. Such frequent NW just doesn't make sense if he is well...

Does he have any teeth coming? Reflux or food issues?

[jessmum46]

^^^^agreed.  That would only ever be due to pain/discomfort here.

[Jodes112]

This might sound strange, but do u think he could be doing it for attention? My son had ALLWAYS slept through the night, until our daughter arrived, he was 2 & half, and all of a sudden, whenever he stirred he would shout us! Until we went in. And then another couple times in the night. In the end, i explained to him that he cant do this as night time is for sleep ect, And i made sure he got as much attention as possible during the day so he wasnt feeling left out and in need of attention.

Just a thought! If he is not crying in pain or upset!

[jessmum46]

Honestly, I can't see waking up every hour being 'for attention'  Even if he is needing attention when he wakes, there's usually a reason behind such frequent waking in the first place.  In my experience (and Sara's) the most obvious reason is discomfort of some sort and I think it's important you rule that out before considering other ways of handling the NWs.  (((Hugs))), you must be exhausted x

[brummum]

I'm sorry things are so hard at the moment! I only have one little one so I can't imagine how exhausting this is to manage with 3 little ones. I definately agree with the discomfort suggestion, our guy is low sleep needs and has always been a difficult sleeper but even with him waking this frequently has always been pain or brewing an illness, we always look back and go 'ohhhhh, that's what it was all about!' when a tooth pops through or he comes out with a stonking cold. I would definately not be doing anything like removing/cutting up his lovely. We have a VERY lovey dependent little chap and if your guy is in pain/uncomfortable and possibly a bit stressed by the change in his family as a result of your new born he needs all the comfort and reassurance he can get. If it did improve the situation I would suspect it would only be because he would be terrified of losing his lovey rather than whatever is bothering him being resolved if you see what I mean? Do meds help at all?

[Jodes112]

all i wanted to say is that it possibly could be for attention due to new baby arriving.  im sorry if anyone took offence to my post!  he was definatley doing it for attention in our case, he would smile and giggle as soon as we went in. he knew what he was doing he's very clever. if he shouts as the covers have fell off him for example of course i will be in there to put them back on and he knows that. just waking up for the sake of it, to get our attention in the middle of the night he knows now that its not right. if this isnt the case here then just ignore me & i hope you find a resolution!

[TB9]

Hugs hun

I agree with Katherine, I dont think it is for attention.

DD1 actually woke much more frequently when DD2 was born.  She just couldnt get into a good sleep with DD2 waking all the time.  Eventually she went back to sleeping at night and settling well for bed, it was just a matter of time.  I think anyone would find it difficult to sleep well in a house where there is a new baby

I imagine the doc has checked ears, etc ?  Honestly if it doesnt resolve I would consider the sleep study, regardless of havingjust spent tim Iin hospital with you new LO...its not really you DS' s fault that you just spent time in the hospital with the new baby, and if the doc is suggesting it to get to the bottom of things I would very seriously consider it.  I promise spending a night in the hospital for a sleep study will be very different than spending 10days with a baby in the nicu!

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon, lots more hugs to you.

[HenaV]

Hi again!

I do think, as said before and you agree, your LOs routine is pretty good and ime shows no real reason why you're having the problems you are. I do think its worth getting your LO checked out as the others have suggested, it can't do any harm don't you think?

H x

[j.and.e]

At 26 mo both my boys dropped their naps. Ds1 would stay up till 10pm after a nap and Ds2 would go to bed fine at 8pm but wake repeatedly from about 3/4am onward asking if it was morning. Mine are maybe a bit lsn but now at 2.5 and 4.5 both sleep 11 or 12 hours. I just wonder if he is having a bit too much nap and if cutting it gradually might help him sleep better xx

[Mjaz]

Thank you for ALL the ideas, ladies.  I have never been so stumped!  His ears were checked about 3 weeks ago.  Nothing.  He IS getting molars, but meds don't make a difference.  I tried them again tonight.

I feel like this is behavioral.  He's undergone so much change lately: not just a new baby, a new house, a new bed, sleeping next to his brother, his parents being in the NICU with his sister for 10 days!  I am giving him tons of attention, as is my husband who is home on paternity leave.  TONS.

The baby does not keep anyone awake.  She's a terrific sleep.  HE keeps everyone awake!  My husband just ended up crashing on his bed last night...

I'm so lost...

[Mjaz]

I also go back and forth between thinking he needs much less sleep or much more!  Sometimes he takes a 3 hour nap and goes to bed easily.  And then yesterday he does a 1.5 hour nap, and it takes 2 hours for him to fall asleep.  Arrrrggggghhhhh.

[anna*]

Sorry I haven't read back but what happens when he wakes in the night? What does he do? How do you/DH respond?

[Mjaz]

Mostly cries.  Sometimes moans/chants.  We ignore it until it escalates (sometimes he just goes back) - if he really cries, we go in, say "shhhhh shhhhh" and maybe put his blankets back on.  That's it.

[Mjaz]

Btw, last night he ole screaming and said his mouth hurt.  Gave him more meds.  All of this has been going on for two months now, so I don't think teeth is the full answer.  Took him 2 hours to fall asleep last night (7-9) and then he was up at 5:15am.  8 hours of sleep!  Awesome.