HELP~~~Sleeping problems

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
HELP~~~Sleeping problems
2
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 8:09pm
Hi,

I have some fairly significant sleep issues with my 3 year old son. He has never been a good sleeper from the moment he was born. He doesn't watch anything scary on tv, eat much junk, is not exposed to violent/turbulent relationships...we practice responsive parenting with him and his sister(who doesn't have any of these issues)...he's a sensitive,shy child. He goes to sleep with no trouble.

So here's the problem...he wakes up at least 5 times a night fussing/whining. I have tried being extra sensitive with him, being firm, sleeping in his own bed, sleeping with us and it doesn't change. Nothing seems to fix his problems or even aleviate them a little.

I would appreciate any suggestions or ideas regarding what could be ailing him and what I can do to help him. I find this problem increasingly frustrating and don't want to send negative messages to him about this.

Thank you so much in advance for any help you can offer.

jen

Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-05-2004
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 9:19pm
Don't know if I can be much help. I have struggled with my son's sleep since birth as well and, like you, have tried every method in the book with no success. He is now 16 months old and still not sleeping through the night consistently, although we are getting there.

I would like to suggest the purchase of Dr. Hull's Sleep Tight video. Although, the video itself is probably stuff you've heard before...it comes with a lifetime access to communicate with Dr. Hull via email. Before dealing with him, my son was waking every 2 hours at night. Dr. Hull worked with me for over a month, emailing me daily with advice and words of encouragement. It was a slow process but one that I was comfortable with and it wasn't traumatic for my son. My son has recently started waking at night again and Dr. Hull has continued to work with me on this, almost a year after purchasing his video.

A second recommendation is the purchase of Marc Weissbluth's Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child book. It has great info on how long children should sleep (including naps), when they should sleep and strategies for getting them to sleep for children ages birth to teens. It provides options ranging from "no-cry" to "let cry" sleep solutions.

Finally I will offer what is currently working for me. I have recently discovered a "magic number" of hours my child can handle being awake in the afternoon/evening. If he is only awake for 5 hours or so after his nap he has night wakings despite the fact that he goes to sleep easily, on his own, at bedtime. However, if I go to 6 hours, he is overtired and the same thing happens. I have found that keeping him awake as close to 5 1/2 hours as I can results in 11-12 hours of solid sleep with no night wakings. Whew! It took a lot of patience to find that magic number, but it's worth a shot if you're willing to try it.

Hope some of this helps and a big hug to you!

Lisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2004
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 9:29pm

Could he be suffering from night terrors? You might want him looked at in a sleep clinic. I know they take even young patients and you do not have to leave him. You stay right by his side....could be something to look into. I would first express your concerns with your pediatrician to see what he/she says.


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