How do I get my 17 month old to sleep through the night? He's never been a good sleeper--ever. This kid refuses to get a full night's sleep and then insists on waking up at 5:00 in the morning. And I'm talking about "Mommy I'm awake so you get up and make me breakfast and entertain me" awake. I'm tired of being tired...of not getting to shower in the morning...of not getting the luxury of 8 or even 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I'm growing a baby here, I need some sleep! I'm tired of being up all night trying to get him to sleep, just to have him wake up at 5.
I'm out of ideas here. I've talked to the pediatrician, I've let him cry it out, I've taken him on middle of the night drives...I have no idea what is going to get this boy to sleep a solid 8 hours. He refuses to sleep unless he is on my chest snuggled with me and even then he'll only sleep for a few hours. Believe me, I'm trying to break this habit, but when I'm running on no sleep and its the only way to make him sleep, I give in. I'm not superwoman, I can't stay up all night. Now that he's sharing a room with Carson its hard to just let him "cry it out" because then I have two children to deal with in the middle of the night...make that three as my baby likes to kick me all night. I guess he'll be joining our middle of the night scream-a-thon in 7 1/2 weeks.
How do I get my 4 year old to stop wetting the bed? I'm this close to putting him back in pull ups, but I don't want to make him feel like he has failed. At what age are they supposed to be able to go through the night dry? A year ago he was doing fine with staying dry all night and the past 9 months its just been down hill. We restrict liquids, make him use the potty right before bed, and Jeff goes in and wakes him up around 5 am (a busy hour at our house, I know) and has him use the potty. But more often than not, he's in our room at 2 am or so crying that he "soaked" his bed again. Maybe he's just going to be a chronic bedwetter and that's something we're going to have to deal with. I hear there's medication or something you can give them.
How do I function as a person without any sleep? How do I stay happy and positive with my boys when I am cranky and running on empty? How am I going to handle this when a newborn is thrown into the equation? I have no idea, but I know that I have no choice but to try to do it with a smile on my face. Motherhood is wonderful, but every once in a while you hit a rough patch, and there's nothing you can do but learn from it and get stronger.
So here's to dealing with the bedwetter and the insomniac. These precious, although frustrating, times with my little guys. Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love, my boys, but a girl's gotta get some sleep!
8 comments:
I'm so sorry Sara!! I have no words of wisdom for you, my boys have always been good sleepers. But one thing I have read is that when Chase was a baby he was starting to wake up earlier than he should and I read that you should try putting them to bed a half hour or so earlier than normal. It sounds backwards, but it worked with Chase. Granted, he was a baby so I don't know how well it would work with a toddler. And for potty training, well, I struggle with that you can't believe and need help myself!! Good luck functioning with no sleep! All I can say is hang in there! You are a great mom and doing everything you can to take care of your kids! (Sorry it's so long!)
How frustrating! I'm sorry!! As far as the bed wetting goes, I had boy cousins who did it for years! I know, awful, but I think it's fairly common.
Good News: They're not little FOREVER & your pictures are in the mail!
Bad News: I have no good advice. :/ We're in the same boat with two insomniacs, and are looking forward to the night-time regression...so far Tanner's done great at night time dryness, but I'm sure I just jinxed myself by saying that. :)
You are an awesome mom. The Lord knows what we can handle, therefore I'm confident you'll turn out fabulous kids and continue to be just as fabulous! :)
Hang in there! Have you thought about taking Carson to a chiropractor (sp)? Sometimes after being adjusted, kids will sleep better and no longer have bedwetting problems. As for sleep, will sleep in highly over rated at my house right now! I totally understand where you are coming from!
Alisha,
I actually took both the boys to a chiropractor about two weeks ago that specialized in pregnancy and pediatrics. It seemed to help for a little bit, but now they are back to where we were before. The chiropractor is in IF so I won't be able to get them back in for awhile. Thanks for the advice...my mom had the same idea.
Wow. I'm sorry Jonas is still sleeping so badly. I really don't have a lot of advice, but am hoping that it will pass soon for you.
As for the bed wetting, I don't think it's bad to put him back in pull ups. I think our kids go through stages with potty training, and I'm guessing this could be one. Chandler had a patch for a week or so where he kept wetting his pants but has been dry at night for months. I just think it's so weird.
((HUGS))
Sara, I will not pretend to have all the answers for you but I know you and Jeff, with the Help of the Lord will work these things out. Stay strong and close to the Spirit.
Here are a few ideas that may help, Sleep,can you change his environment? What I mean is Arora never slept through the night until we put her in a closet. It has to be pitch black with basically no light to move around or play. Now she sleeps great.
Bed wetting, unfortunately there are many causes of bed wetting, some times it can be an infection so have him checked out. restricting fluids doesn't really help, the root of the problem in most people who wet the bed into later childhood sleep very deeply and do not feel when their bladders are needing to empty. he should grow out of it as his body matures. i have a good friend who was a bed wetter long in to middle childhood. he used a devise that hooks to a battery that when gets wet will wake up the person. This some how works to train the brain to start waking up when they are needing to pee. there is actually an episode of the cartoon Arthur that has it. Again I think you need a doctor to get it.
Any ways good luck and I am working on something for you.
We all know you love your boys & wouldn't trade them for the world. You're a great mom Sara! I think it's hard in the midst of our trials to see the light (I know I struggle big time with that) but you guys can do it with the Lord's help.
I wish I had great advice about both subjects, but we struggle with Myelle on both points. It took us finally saying to her that she doesn't have to go to sleep but just has to stay in bed at bedtime. We let her have some books & leave the hall light on & turn on her favorite CD. She entertains herself until she gets sleepy & finally falls asleep. She still gets up in the middle of the night & climbs in our bed though. Often times I don't even wake up. LOL I just find her there when I wake up in the morning.
Does Jonas have a security thing? Myelle's is a pacifier. Maybe that might help.
Things will get better. Take a breather. :) You'll be in my prayers.
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