...kicks (we are co-sleepers)? I have not slept since he was born. I have diluted his milk to half and half and now have started to give half water and juice. When he wakes up he wants either binky or bottle and falls right back asleep. I tried letting him cry but then I get nooooo sleep and the whole house is disrupted for hours and this is the fasted way to get back to sleep. What the heck am I doing wrong? I have an 18 year old son and I never had this problem with him. He slept in a crib in his own room and only woke sometimes. Could it be my age, I had him at 48 and am very tired and lacking in energy and discipline, unlike my first son. I am very exhauseted and at my wits end!
My 18 month old wakes up at least 10 times every night! Cries and whines and...
seventy7seconds
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- Nov 24, 2008
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It is probably a good time to start moving him to his own crib/bed. Start off with his naps, and then move him there overnight. Even if it's still in the room with you, perhaps he'll settle better. I know you're tired, and you say you're lacking in discipline, but if you stick to it and move him, you will both likely sleep better.
Start diluting his milk even further to pure water within the week, and start cutting how much you put in it each time until it's an ounce - then take it away.
The first few times he might need more comfort and to be reassured, but stick with it. Set a routine where he can snuggle with a favorite toy when he's put in his crib too, so he doesn't feel alone. Don't let him scream away for longer than 5-10 minutes - don't let him get so worked up he chokes or anything - but don't come running RIGHT away. I have a thing that plays music for 10 minutes - that has worked wonders for me.
I had my son cosleep with us for a long time, then moved him to his crib (starting with naps) and within a week suddenly he was sleeping through the night and I was more rested too. It took me two nights to get to sleep myself, I was so worried about him, but am glad I did switch him, and don't regret any of the co-sleeping.
You can do it - stick with it and you will find that you will both get more rest.
The fastest way isn't working all the time for you - and you're not getting the rest you need at any age to deal with a child. It's time to try something new and give it a chance to work.
I hope you get some sleep soon
Start diluting his milk even further to pure water within the week, and start cutting how much you put in it each time until it's an ounce - then take it away.
The first few times he might need more comfort and to be reassured, but stick with it. Set a routine where he can snuggle with a favorite toy when he's put in his crib too, so he doesn't feel alone. Don't let him scream away for longer than 5-10 minutes - don't let him get so worked up he chokes or anything - but don't come running RIGHT away. I have a thing that plays music for 10 minutes - that has worked wonders for me.
I had my son cosleep with us for a long time, then moved him to his crib (starting with naps) and within a week suddenly he was sleeping through the night and I was more rested too. It took me two nights to get to sleep myself, I was so worried about him, but am glad I did switch him, and don't regret any of the co-sleeping.
You can do it - stick with it and you will find that you will both get more rest.
The fastest way isn't working all the time for you - and you're not getting the rest you need at any age to deal with a child. It's time to try something new and give it a chance to work.
I hope you get some sleep soon
You did nothing wrong. Some children just sleep more easily than others. My daughter was a bit like your son, waking often demanding to nurse. She now sleeps through the night. This is how you can get there:
First, when your son naps during the day, take a nap as well, so you are better rested for the night. Let your household get a bit messy, if you have to, regaining your sleep is more important than a shiny living room. Feed your son well before bedtime, so he has no legitimate reason to get hungry. Then pick the time he wakes at night, when you still feel the strongest and instead of offering him a drink, take him in your arms and walk around with him, until he goes back to sleep. You could also put him in his car seat and drive around a bit, if that would be easier on the rest of your household. It will take him a couple of nights and then he'll sleep through that time, because his body has learned not to expect any drink that time of the night. If you feel up to it, you could go ahead and tackle more than one waking time a night, otherwise, one at the time will get you to the same aim, just through a longer time interval.
First, when your son naps during the day, take a nap as well, so you are better rested for the night. Let your household get a bit messy, if you have to, regaining your sleep is more important than a shiny living room. Feed your son well before bedtime, so he has no legitimate reason to get hungry. Then pick the time he wakes at night, when you still feel the strongest and instead of offering him a drink, take him in your arms and walk around with him, until he goes back to sleep. You could also put him in his car seat and drive around a bit, if that would be easier on the rest of your household. It will take him a couple of nights and then he'll sleep through that time, because his body has learned not to expect any drink that time of the night. If you feel up to it, you could go ahead and tackle more than one waking time a night, otherwise, one at the time will get you to the same aim, just through a longer time interval.
meganemalloy
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- Dec 14, 2009
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Is it possible he is a light sleeper and your movement, snoring etc is waking him up? I co-slept with my son until he was 7 months old and my moving around began to wake him up. The transition to his own crib was hard for the first couple nights but then he began to sleep through the night. Or if you're dead set on continuing to co-sleep try running a humidifier or fan for some white noise to drown out any noise you might be making.
beitochonwheels
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- Dec 15, 2009
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He was in his OWN BED and this kid is in yours and you're not smart enough to figure that out? Quit being so lazy and put the kid in his own bed where he belongs! 18 months and still on a bottle? He can drink from a cup, THROW THE DAMN BOTTLES AWAY!
I co slept with my first boy and realized when he was 4 and had trouble sleeping by himself I did him a great injustice. I did it too so I am not pointing any fingers, but co-sleeping with him is selfish. It feels good to be so close to them for you but you are breading a co-dependant little man. I will only take a couple of days of what will seem like torture, but I think you will both be much happier.
Kids only demand things that they expect will happen. He is demanding of you all night long because he expects it to happen.
And my advice is to ignore the other post of getting rid of the bottle NOW. Take it one battle at a time. Good luck and it is ok to cry the first night. Then enjoy the piece of sleeping in more than one cramped position!
Kids only demand things that they expect will happen. He is demanding of you all night long because he expects it to happen.
And my advice is to ignore the other post of getting rid of the bottle NOW. Take it one battle at a time. Good luck and it is ok to cry the first night. Then enjoy the piece of sleeping in more than one cramped position!