Author Topic: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?  (Read 1397 times)

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Offline Zarabelle

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Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« on: May 12, 2006, 19:12:53 pm »
Hi

My daughter (13 months) has been on EASY from one week old.  Is generally an angel baby and has always slept well... until now.  She was having trouble getting to sleep at night (that was a new one too) but have sorted that now.

Thing is, she wakes several times (1-5 times) in the night for no reason that I can spot... I go in and as soon as she sees me, she goes back to sleep.  I have tried letting her self-settle and occassionally she does but usually she gets in to a full blown cry if I don't go in and see her.

Do you think this is just a stage?  Is there anything I can do?

Many thanks

x
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Offline imsmum

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Re: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2006, 17:27:52 pm »
Maybe post her routine and info on any changes in her development/ activities so we can get a better handle on what's going on.

Offline Florencia

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Re: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2006, 18:57:07 pm »
13 months is a rough period, based on the many posts we get on this forum coming from that age. On my experience, it had to do a lot with mobility, teething and separation anxiety.

Mobility: they can stand up and walk on their own. Sometimes they do in in their sleep, wake in the middle of their crib standing and FREAK out, so they need mommie's reassurance that everything's ok. IF it's only a mobility issue, by reassuring her and making her go down, she'll be her own self in a couple of weeks.

Teething. this is the tough one, cause molars can take up to 3 months to pop out!!!!!!!! and they're a pain for both, the toddler and the mom, during this period. Trying some oraljel-tylenol/motrin combo before bed does the trick in most angel babies. My ped explained me that angel babies are easily settled and that's why she can be settled by your sight even if she's in physical pain. That is a confusing thing cause you think, it is not possible that she's in pain cause she's ok when she sees me. Check with your ped and if he ok's the meds, try them before bed and let's see if that makes a difference.

Separation anxiety: you said she had trouble going down a few weeks ago, that also could be a sign. It should be treated the same way, with reassurance and minor talk and eye contact.

Good luck!
Mom to Manolo, spirited monkey and Jose Miguel, an angel cupcake

Offline Zarabelle

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Re: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2006, 17:10:46 pm »
Thanks everyone for your help.

She was getting up at 7am, having one nap at 1-3pm and going to bed at 7pm.  I think she was actually a bit sleep deprived as when I watched her closely, I realised she wanted to go to bed at 11am (for 2hrs15mins normally) and then (usually) have a 30-45 mins nap around 3.45pm.  She now goes to bed at 7.30pm but settles straight away and ironically, she only woke up last night when I got up to go to the loo (pregnancy for you!).

I guess as she gets older, the 11am nap will move an hour or so and she will drop the afternoon nap.

x
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Offline Florencia

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Re: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2006, 17:17:16 pm »
Before i finished reading your post i was about to suggest to make her nap earlier ;) but i see you've taken care of it.

You say she woke last night when you went to the bathroom. That talks about light sleep and my ds went through that phase because of the molars. So you might want to try the pain meds before sleep to make her sleep deeper (light sleep can be a result of pain).

Other than that, just keep up the good work and congrats on your no. 2!
Mom to Manolo, spirited monkey and Jose Miguel, an angel cupcake

Offline Zarabelle

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Re: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2006, 18:49:16 pm »
Hi Florencia

You are right about the molars, they are just poking through the gum and she has a slight fever today.  I have given her calpol (paracetamol) and bonjela teething gel and hope that will help.

I will have some ibuprofen at the ready in case she wakes up in the night too.

It's funny you were going to suggest the earlier nap.  Do you think it's OK to put her down for an afternoon nap and then just wait until she seems ready to move it later again and drop the afternoon one?  I see from most the things I have read on naps that it is quite normal for them to take two naps until 18 months.

Thanks again xx
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Offline Florencia

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Re: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2006, 18:58:54 pm »
It is ok to handle the naps as you and her are comfortable with. Most of us who have switched to one nap was because the 2 naps couldn't fit in a decent timing or were way too short. I've seen other moms around here to have the long morning nap and the catnap for quite a while too... it all depends on you and her but it is pretty clear that she's not ready for 1 nap yet since her nap is longer when you put her down earlier. If she doesn't fight for the catnap then you have no probs there and keep going!!!!!!!! There's no age to move to 1 nap, there's a couple of hints like early mornings, night wakings, fighting when going down, short naps... when all of this is happening then you see it's time to tweak. So stay with what makes both of you comfortable and rested!!!!!!!!!!

Good luck tonight!
Mom to Manolo, spirited monkey and Jose Miguel, an angel cupcake

Offline Zarabelle

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Re: Night wakings - seperation anxiety?
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2006, 19:04:50 pm »
That is reassuring - thanks.  It is not the easiest having two naps in terms of going out etc. but I am taking it a bit easier being pregnant anyway and quite often have a nap at the same time in the morning!  The only thing is she has a late lunch at 1.30pm but it doesn't seem to be causing any problems.  I give her a snack at 10am.

That's all for now but I'll be sure to post for you in the future as you have been so helpful.  Thanks  xxx
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