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[Solved] Sleeping probs

 
(@Blakey81)
Active Member Registered

Hi,

Im knew to this website so may have to bear with me lol. just wondered if any of you ever problems with your children and their sleeping habbits. my 16 month old daughter used to go down at 7.30 and wake around 9am next so was very fortunate, but this last week she wont go to sleep for ages and we have to use the hairdryer cuz of the white noise. she does go to sleep but wakes about 4 times a night and we give things like paracetamol etc but doesnt seem to do much (if she is teething) maybe its an ear infection but just wondered if this was common and had any advice.

Ta

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Topic starter Posted : 18/03/2013 1:11 am
Nannyjane
(@Nannyjane)
Illustrious Member Registered

Hi there 🙂

If she usually sleeps through with no problems, then this change in her sleeping routine will most likely have a cause. As you say it could be teething or an ear infection. Does she have a temperature? Perhaps a sore bottom.... Investigate all the usual reasons and once you have discounted them and she is still unsettled, have a word with your GP or Health Visitor for more advice.

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Posted : 18/03/2013 1:18 am
Blakey81 and Blakey81 reacted
(@Blakey81)
Active Member Registered

Thanks for this. Think we've tried everything, don't think its teething as we usually can sooth her with paracetamol etc. Just seems really odd as usualy good sleeper. Will take her to the docs I think.

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Topic starter Posted : 18/03/2013 1:45 am
(@Blakey81)
Active Member Registered

Also she doesn't have a temperature

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Topic starter Posted : 18/03/2013 1:46 am
Nannyjane
(@Nannyjane)
Illustrious Member Registered

Well if theres no temp and you've covered all the usual things it probably a good idea to have a chat with the GP. I think you are fairly up to speed with teething symptoms and would recognize it if she was teething. I would have thought there would be a temp with an ear infection. Is she crying much and is it a pain cry. whats her appetite like.

Could it be growing pains?

Best of luck with it and let us know how you get on.

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Posted : 18/03/2013 4:25 am
(@Blakey81)
Active Member Registered

She is crying quite alot and seems to be crying over the slightest thing! she is also being very fussy with her eating and doesnt seem to want to eat much. plus with her bottles of Milk she doesnt really want to drink it all which is not like her at all

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Topic starter Posted : 18/03/2013 4:40 pm
Super Mario
(@Super Mario)
Noble Member Registered

Hi there

It does sound like you need to visit the doctors if only to rule out some stuff - kids do pick up infections etc quite easily so it is worth loading up with calpol

Let us know what the doctor says

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Posted : 20/03/2013 1:20 am
Nannyjane
(@Nannyjane)
Illustrious Member Registered

Hi there 🙂

My 20 month old grandson has just been poorly, lethargic, off his food and a bit niggly.... It was his poo yesterday that led us to the conclusion he must have had a tummy bug...there are a lot of bugs and virus flying about at the moment. He's better now , hope your little girl is too.

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Posted : 22/03/2013 2:45 pm
ScotMcGuire
(@ScotMcGuire)
New Member Registered

She's definitely going through a phase. Once you've ruled out medical needs (ear infection, stomach bug, fever, diaper rash that's being discomforted during the night), it's time to treat the symptom. Make a deal with your wife. When your daughter wakes up early, you're going to let her cry it out for fifteen minutes before responding. That will be the longest fifteen minutes of your life. You've got to hold each other accountable during that time. That's why it's important to talk about it beforehand. There will come a point when you're ready to give in. You will need her to keep you from going in to soothe and comfort. There will come a time when you will need to keep her from going in after your baby.

The key here is that your daughter needs to feel safe and secure (up to this point that's been in your arms every time she's called for you) but also needs to develop the skill of self-soothing. If you leave her to her own devices, she will calm down. This may take the entire fifteen minutes. It may take less. It could even take significantly more. You've got to decide as Mom and Dad what amount of time you're comfortable with. Just make sure you commit. If you decide fifteen minutes, wait it out. Give her the entire fifteen minutes.

When the time is up, then (and only then) can you decide your next move. If the crying is over, close your eyes and head back to sleep. If she's still going but has calmed down a bit, discuss whether you want to go on in and get her or if you want to give her a little longer to discover her thumb, fingers, blankie or other comfort item. If she's still going full blast, though, one of you will need to go love on her. Pick her up and hold her close. Use this time to be thankful for the joy she brings into your life each day.

If you will commit to this practice, the suffering will be short lived. It's a tough decision to make but your life will be forever changed because of it. You can get back to how things used to be.

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Posted : 14/06/2013 11:19 pm
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