Sleep Help PLEASE!!!

litlmermd

DD was an amazing sleeper.  Even when she didn't sleep through the night, all she needed was a bottle and then she'd go right back to sleep.  All this has changed.  She cries as soon as we put her in her crib now!  Last night she cried for an hour (we checked on her every little bit).  She finally fell asleep around 11.  She was up at 4, I gave her a bottle and then she was crying again.  Cried for a hour again until DH went and slept on the floor in her room.  If you pick her up, she goes right to sleep in your arms.  Once you put her down, she screams.  If we can get her to sleep in the crib, she wakes as soon as you walk out of the room.  Today we tried to put her for a nap in her crib and she screamed forever.  We finally brought her into the basement and she fell asleep in her bouncy seat.  (we didn't put her in there, she like to sit in it herself...like a little recliner)  I am at a loss of what to do.  She's never done this before.  Can anyone help me???

fionacaitlin

Is she maybe sick? Teething? Sometimes we have off days & hopefully that is all this is! Hang in there!

mielkede

Does she have a cold or anything. DD does this when she has an ear infection. Try elevating her mattress and see if it helps.

sasa625

How long has it been happening? Could it possibly be an ear infection or something? I know DD doesn't sleep at all when she has one (she has had 3 and the only symptoms have been horrible eating and sleeping). It could also be separation anxiety. We went through that as well with DD for awhile around 13-14 months. We had to let her cry (coming in to check on and reassure her periodically).

Also, she could be needing to learn how to self soothe (without a bottle). She probably doesn't need a bottle in the middle of the night anymore, so it might be time to start cutting that out. The other thing that has helped DD's sleep is to put her to bed earlier. We were holding off on bedtime (even though she was tired) because we were afraid that an earlier bedtime would mean an earlier wake up (she already went to bed at 7-7:30). We started putting her down at 6:30 and she typically sleeps better. Go figure!

DD has just recently started STTN consistently (around 18 months old) so I definitely know how hard it can be. The less we interacted with her during her wake ups, the better!!

mayowife

I highly recommend Dr. Ferber's book Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems. His methods do include CIO on an intermittent schedule. If you want to start browsing the book just go to the amazon link and select search inside this book under the picture of the book on the left. If you're interested make sure you're signed up for Amazon Mom and you should be able to get free 2 day shipping.

IMO your DD needs to learn how to fall asleep on her own (without you or a bottle). Also, unless your pedi recommends it I feel it's time to cut that middle of the night bottle.

I feel that at your daughter's age, if you follow Dr. Ferber's recommendations and can be consistent you will end up with a well rested DD who can put herself to sleep at the beginning and in the middle of the night. If you don't think you can stick with it, especially during the first few difficult days and nights, then I'd try another method all together. Consistency is key here. If you start something and do not follow through you DD's sleep difficulties may worsen.

BTW just as a reference point I've also read Baby Wise, Happiest Baby on the Block, and The Baby Whisperer. I think what you described would be best handled with Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems.

Good luck!

litlmermd

Thanks for all the suggestions.  To clarify, DD doesn't take a bottle to go to sleep.  If she wakes up, I rock her and give her one and then she goes back to sleep on her own.  It's not the best habit, and we're working to stop it.  Usually when she wakes up, it's around 5 or 6.

acia

I'd be checking into some kind of physical cause (teething, ear infection, beginnings of cold/flu, gas, upset tummy, etc.) if she's always been a good sleeper.

That being said, just because a baby's physical needs are taken care of, doesn't mean you should ignore their emotional needs (in my opinion). I strongly believe that if a child is crying, there is a reason, and if it's not physical, then it's likely emotional or behavioural (i.e. separation anxiety, fears, hitting milestones, stress, life changes, etc.).

If the bad sleeping goes on for weeks and months, then definitely look into doing some kind of sleep training. But if it's just something new, I'd ride it out, and hope things go back to normal on their own.

Good luck!

mayowife

litlmermd:

Thanks for all the suggestions.  To clarify, DD doesn't take a bottle to go to sleep.  If she wakes up, I rock her and give her one and then she goes back to sleep on her own.  It's not the best habit, and we're working to stop it.  Usually when she wakes up, it's around 5 or 6.

That's great. I was in the same situation when we cut DS's middle of the night bottle. The fact that he didn't take the bottle to go to sleep and could go to sleep on his own afterward really made sleep training easier.

Again, good luck!

lookinfor2

She sounds way overtired. What is her schedule? How much sleep is she getting per day? If she did not fall asleep till 11 I am guessing her bedtime is pretty late. The natural bedtime for this age is as early as 6 and as late as 8pm.