Author Topic: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues  (Read 3219 times)

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Offline jussiemariee

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15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« on: August 06, 2017, 11:41:45 am »
Last week we got a 15 mo foster child.  She is a very unhappy child, who in my opinion has the coping skills of a new born.  It seems her family just keep a full bottle of milk in her hands at all times.  This has led to her walking every night at 11, 1, 3.  When she wakes she is violent and inconsolable.  The only thing that can soothe her is a bottle (water sometimes works. )

How would you go about helping her transition to a more sustainable way of living, sleeping and  coping.  Any advice will help. She is 26 pounds and it is hard for me to help her when she is violent.

Offline deb

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2017, 12:58:22 pm »
Oh my goodness, the poor thing!  :'(

You probably already know this, but this very likely isn't a sleeping and eating problem; it's more of a stress problem. I assume since she's with you, and since she gets so violent, that there is probably trauma or neglect at play here more than anything. As much as it may be crazymaking for you, if she is used to actively being fed at those NW, might be best for the time being to continue that and use that time for lots & lots of cuddles, maybe some quiet songs. You've only had a week to counteract 15 months of her life, the details of which I can only guess at (I don't know how much information they give you), so a healthy dose of patience - the kind you'd need with a newborn, really - to go with the lots and lots of love, all the time, is called for here for sure.  :-* :-* :-* As she feels more secure with you, she'll be more likely to settle better with things other than milk/food, but for the time being, easy does it.

Offline jussiemariee

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2017, 13:25:16 pm »
We don't really know much about why she was taken.  I can only guess by her behavior.  I think your right about the newborn patience, but she is so big and so violent. She is almost as big as my 6 yo, weight wise.  I am not sure she has ever been comforted.  She won't rock, or allow comfort.  I can only put the bottle in the crib with her.  And let her drink it.  It is heartbreaking. 

Offline jussiemariee

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2017, 14:32:16 pm »
Follow up question... She seems most comfortable with being given a bottle of milk and being allowed to feed to sleep.  I know in my heart of hearts that that is not the best thing for her. But would you continue to allow it for know? Just continue the bad habits, and worry about them down the road if we still have her?

Offline Buntybear

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2017, 15:20:14 pm »
Hello, I imagine that fixing her needing to feed to sleep issues is going to take a while and lots of patience so it is up to you whether you give it a go. I guess that she may go back to her parents soon so is it worth you trying to fix it? I would be tempted to stick to her routine for bedtime and see if you can try and change it up for her nap - she could be easier to get to sleep then without a bottle?

Offline deb

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2017, 16:09:41 pm »
Does she have any other comfort item - stuffed animal, blanket, whatever? If not, maybe see if she'll take to one so when the bottle *does* go away, there's something to fall back on for self-soothing.

Offline We Three

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2017, 17:23:43 pm »
 Poor baby. I honor you for stepping in and caring for her, and I pray she feels your love and comfort on some level.
 Keep up with the lovey for sure. Put it in her hands when you give her the bottle, so she will start to associate the lovey with comfort also.
 Does she allow you to touch her in these times? Once she has the bottle, can you stroke her head or even just talk quietly and sing to her?

 Is she angry all the time or just overnights when she wants a bottle?

Offline jussiemariee

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2017, 17:43:33 pm »
She is angry a lot of the day, but the violent anger is mostly at night. If I give her a bottle, I do think she would let me touch her.  She calms right down when she has the bottle.  She won't let me hold the bottle or feed her though.  It seems like the bottle is her lovie she won't always drink it all, but will cuddle it and hold it.  She gets upset if you try to remove it.

Offline deb

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2017, 19:04:56 pm »
Yeah, you're probably not going to get far in terms of better sleep until she feels secure enough, and it's been such a short time she's been with you - best thing you can do is anything you can to help her feel safe & secure.  :-*

You might try experimenting with lavender in her sleeping space: some folks use dried lavender in sachets, or you can put some in a spray bottle and spray it around, or lavender essential oil on a diffuser - you don't need much, but it might help calm her down and help her associate the scent with sleep so you can use it as a sleep cue later on if you have her long enough.

Offline Haribo2012

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2017, 19:22:01 pm »
Poor little one sounds like she's very stressed out. Hopefully with your kindness and patience she will start to trust you and feel more relaxed.
Dread to think what's she's been through. Will she let you put the lovies in her bed?
Zoe


Offline We Three

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2017, 01:44:23 am »
 My instinct is for you to give the bottle, with the lovey, then stroke her and a slow and gentle mantra phrase..... gentle "Its ok....you're ok....rest now....."   If you have her long enough, and do try to remove those bottles, the lovey and your mantra phrase should be of comfort.  For the sake of her weight and health, I might do 1/2 bottles...? Would that suffice do you think?

Offline creations

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2017, 08:51:30 am »
Nothing to add to the previous advice really but wanted to stop by with a hug and support. What a wonderful job you are doing.

My heart hurts for a child who is so clearly distressed and has only attached to milk as comfort.

Many hugs x


Offline jussiemariee

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2017, 11:17:27 am »
Things are still really rough here.  It looks like she may be with us for a while, though that could change at any time.  I am really struggling with the lack of sleep.  She is a high needs toddler all day, and a high needs infant all night. 

I guess, if I were to try to start trying to slowly fix this, what would step one be? Is there any way to lengthen the time between wakings? She is currently at 9-11-1-3.  I really feel like this is excessive.  I Am going to really focus on routine and predictability. I'll do some soothing bed time stuff.  What

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #13 on: August 08, 2017, 12:19:11 pm »
You could start by getting some sleep cues into her day & night: saying something soothing, maybe some quiet music you use at sleep times, when she lets you touch her a soothing gentle stroke, definitely the lovey, maybe the lavender. Until she feels safe & secure, everything else is seriously going to be secondary, including sleep.

I forget, is she napping during the day? What's that like?

Offline jussiemariee

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Re: 15 mo foster, bad sleep issues
« Reply #14 on: August 08, 2017, 14:28:37 pm »
Yes, she naps though not sure if 1 or 2 works better for her.  1 is not enough two is too many.

I am not sure that she is feeling unsafe.  She is not really showing fear.  I really think that she is acting "spoiled" for lack of a better word.  She is used to getting her milk when she wants it all day and night. I think it is a habit of needing a bottle to get back after a sleep cycle or to fall asleep in the first place. She has no self soothing skills.