How did this happen and how do I fix it!! HELP (sleep related)

My DD is almost 2 1/2 and she has slept through the night since 6 weeks old. Never had a problem (unless she was sick) until now. I gave her a blanket and she wakes up a few times a night asking me to put the blanket back on. We've tried to teach her how to do it, but she's too lazy. I don't have one big enough to tuck in because I get scared of getting tangled up in. Also she's prolonging the bedtime routine (I need more water, I have boogers, etc.) How to nip this in the bud!!?!?!?!

OK that's problem #1. Now my DS who was always easy to put down to sleep or a nap has become difficult as well. He wakes up several times a night. Sometimes he's starving other times I think he just wants company. Is it separation anxiety? Is there anything I can do? Should I NOT be feeding him even though he chugs the bottle. He wakes 11, 2, 5, etc. He's 10 months old.

It's been MONTHS since I got more than 2 or 3 hours of consecutive sleep and I've been snapping and losing my patience with the kids, my DH and work. I'm exhausted and becoming depressed. I need some sleep!!!! and we don't have family near by or a sitter to give us some help.

Re: How did this happen and how do I fix it!! HELP (sleep related)

No exeperiance with the older one, but my DS (9 months now) was continually waking at night every few hours after having been a good sleeper as well.

He takes a binky & once he could find his own & put in by himself that helped part of the wakings. The rest seemed to disapear when he decided he wanted to be layed down awake & not be rocked to sleep anymore.

Re: How did this happen and how do I fix it!! HELP (sleep related)

Thanks for replying. My DS doesn't take a binky and always went to bed without being rocked. Just kiss, drop and leave. Now I have to rub his back until he falls asleep. I don't want to start all these bad habits but I'm desperate for sleep and tend to do what's easiest. Rub, feed, etc...

I'm soooo tired

Re: How did this happen and how do I fix it!! HELP (sleep related)

I hate to say it, but it seems they've got your number. You need to stop accommodating their middle of the night needs. At 10 months, your DS doesn't need to eat in the middle of the night. Even if he's chugging the bottle down, it doesn't mean he needs it, he just is used to it now. I know how hard it can be when you have a good sleeper who suddenly doesn't sleep anymore. And because Ava was a always a good sleeper, I found myself accommodating her a lot recently when our whole schedule changed and it led to some really bad habits that disrupted everyone's sleep. Well, we finally just explained to her that we would not be coming in the middle of the night for whatever it is she needed and that she could cry, but mommy and daddy weren't coming. And sure enough, she cried and we didn't go and two nights later, it was business as usual. It'll suck for a few nights, but honestly, it's what everyone needs in the long run.

Re: How did this happen and how do I fix it!! HELP (sleep related)

Posted by prncss

I hate to say it, but it seems they've got your number. You need to stop accommodating their middle of the night needs. At 10 months, your DS doesn't need to eat in the middle of the night. Even if he's chugging the bottle down, it doesn't mean he needs it, he just is used to it now. I know how hard it can be when you have a good sleeper who suddenly doesn't sleep anymore. And because Ava was a always a good sleeper, I found myself accommodating her a lot recently when our whole schedule changed and it led to some really bad habits that disrupted everyone's sleep. Well, we finally just explained to her that we would not be coming in the middle of the night for whatever it is she needed and that she could cry, but mommy and daddy weren't coming. And sure enough, she cried and we didn't go and two nights later, it was business as usual. It'll suck for a few nights, but honestly, it's what everyone needs in the long run.

Re: How did this happen and how do I fix it!! HELP (sleep related)

I'm sorry Jodi. No advice, but for what it's worth we're having lots of trouble with Emma lately too. We know we just need to tough it out but it's hard. Good luck.