Is there something wrong with my baby?

@lvmybz (125)
United States
June 4, 2007 2:55am CST
I have a 14 month old boy who doesn't sleep. I have written this post before, and I got some really good tips. He has probably only slept through the night about a handful of times or maybe less. He goes to sleep alright, but he always wakes up crying in the middle of the night. I have a bad habit of taking him into bed with me (he is in our room in a crib) and breast feed him. But he doesn't really nurse maybe for a few minutes. Through out the night he is crying off and on and kicking me and my husband. I'll put him in his crib and he might cry then fall asleep then get up and cry again. He has always done this, so I can't blame colds or teething. My first who happens to be autistic was so easy. He was basically sleeping through the night by 4 months. I did let him cry, but only to help him get to sleep. I didn't usually have a problem with him getting up in the middle of the night. In addition, we live in a two bedroom apartment so the option of putting him in another room is not going to happen. Also I won't put him in my other son's room because he sleeps so good I don't want him to be awoken by his brother. Should I just let him cry all night and not go to him at all untill the morning? If anybody has dealt with this situation how did you handel it? Did it take a long time?
1 person likes this
2 responses
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
4 Jun 07
My oldest shared a room with us until he was almost one, and we had many of the same problems. We eventually just had to take a couple of nights, and let him cry it out. We did our normal bed time routine (if you don't have one, nows the time to start) and then put him in his crib, then we let him cry for about 5-10 minutes at a time, then one of us would go in, pat him on the back, until he calmed down, Don't pick him up or talk to him, just a few little pats should be suffiecient. After he's stopped crying, leave the room, and do it over again. It will take awhile, it will be heartbreaking, as I could hardly stand it, but it's what's best for them, they need sleep. IT's not good for them to wake up so often. He will wake up in the middle of the night as well, you should repeat the same process. Don't feed him after his bedtime(unless you think it's a growth spurt), he's old enough not to need a feeding in the middle of the night. If you notice he's waking up at the same time each night, (or around the same time) it's problably just become habitual, and it will take a little time. It took about 2-3 days of us doing this with our son, and he still wasn't the greatest sleeper until he got his own room. Since this isn't an option, you will just have to do what you can. (have you thought of making him a little corner in the living room? or would he be disturbed by waking siblings/parents?) Good luck to you. I hope you have success. As important as a good night sleep is to you, it's much more needful for your little guy.
1 person likes this
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
4 Jun 07
also, make sure he is getting suffiecent sleep during the day. I don't know how long he sleeps, if he does at all, but some babies, if they are overtired by bedtime, will not sleep well during the night.
1 person likes this
@lvmybz (125)
• United States
5 Jun 07
Thank you for the great tips. I have thought about putting him in the living room or maybe my husband and I could sleep on the couch bed. The problem is I can't stand to hear him cry it is just heartbreaking. But you are absolutely right a good night sleep is important to my little guy.
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
4 Jun 07
I disagree that crying it out will help. Is he having nightmares? Is he wetting more at night than during the day? What's his diet like? Is he pretty active during the day? Is co-sleeping not an option for you?
@lvmybz (125)
• United States
5 Jun 07
Hello Since the moment he was born I haven't been able to put him down. When he was just hours old he would cry untill he was in my arms sleeping. I just loved the bond I share with him. Co-sleeping didn't use to be a problem. Lately he just seems restless in my bed with me. Almost like he is uncomfortable. I don't think it is nightmares. I don't think he eats or drinks enough. I also don't think I am producing enough milk. He use to be really bad about going to sleep, he could only fall asleep nursing or being rocked. Then he might often wake up if I put him down. One night I put him to bed awake and let him cry for about 30 min then he went to sleep. Now he was no problem going to sleep. Just staying asleep is the issue.