Toddlers sleeping through the night...

Can anyone suggest something I can do to keep my son from waking up during the night? It's really tiring me out considering I'm 8 months PG and I know I'm only going to feel worse by the time the baby gets here. He wakes up at least 1 time usually 2 times during the night either for mommy to go night night in his bed, or something to drink, etc. As soon as I lay or sit with him he goes back out. I can't remember the last time I got to actually sleep through the night myself. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Re: Toddlers sleeping through the night...

Does he sleep with a lovie? That might help. Also, can you (or DH) gradually "move out" of his room-first next to him one night, the next night at the foot of his bed, the next night on the floor next to his bed, etc. That worked really well for my sister when my niece went through the same thing. Also, a night light (or an additional one) might help. I wish you some good sleep.......

Re: Toddlers sleeping through the night...

We ran into this problem with Jack when we swtiched him to his toddler bed, he is 21 months. I find that the cry it out approach works for us. The first few nights are dreadful, but after about a week, you will have a full night of sleep. This is what we did:

When he wakes up, let him cry for about 5 minutes, then go in his room, put him back in his bed, tell him it is time to go to sleep like a big boy and leave the room.

Go back in after about 10 minutes and do the same increasing the time by 10 minute intervals. Eventually, he will give up and go back to sleep. Warning...it may take a few hours one night of screaming and yelling, but it gets progressively better and then he will learn to put himself back to sleep.

He has just adapted to the behavior that you will go in a lay with him and he needs to stop doing that. Last night i heard Jack wake about two times and both times he put himself back to sleep without calling out for me. So it does work.

You just have to stick to your guns and not give in even if the crying goes on for hours. BEcause the second you give in, he learns that screaming and yelling will get him what he wants.

It is so tough, but one rough week is worth it when they are able to sleep on their own.
Good luck!!

Re: Toddlers sleeping through the night...

Thanks so much for the advice!

I'm going to try that! What's really hard is that he also asks to hold my hand and he cuddles with that. He intertwines our fingers perfectly and then snuggles up to it. I'm upset about having to give this up since I work FT and he's in daycare so this is our "cuddle" time in a way, but on the other hand, it's tiring for mommy! I"m going to start doing it tonight. CIO worked for us when he was younger so hopefully it will work this time.

He doesn't have a blanket or anything. He does sleep with stuffed animals in his bed, but doesn't always cuddle up to them.

What do I do when he wants a drink? He sometimes asks for a drink?

Thanks again!

Re: Toddlers sleeping through the night...

Message edited 7/20/2006 4:08:45 PM.

Re: Toddlers sleeping through the night...

Jack tried the asking for a drink stall tactic and I just said no. He will not die of thirst! Maybe before he goes to bed and into his room, offer him a glass of water so he doesn't try to ask for it.

Jack's new thing is to tell me "poop" when I put him to bed. He is still in diapers, and will not go on the potty yet, but I know he understands it and tries to tell me that he needs to poop when I put him to bed! The first few times I got all excited thinking he's getting this potty thing and he is not even two, but then we would sit on the toilet and he woudl just smile and swing his legs back and forth!

Moral of the story...they'll do anything to stall; never underestimate the trickery of a toddler!