HELP HELP HELP She just won't go to sleep

[HeatherLynn]

Ok I am at the end of my tether tonight. My daughter is almost 2. December 13th she turns. We are still struggling with weight. She was born early and was 17 inches and 5 lbs. We are now 32 inches but swaying between 21.5 and 22 lbs. Most the times its lower rather than higher though. She is so hyper I don't know what to do with her. It takes 2 of us to dress her. AND she is not sleeping at night. No napping either. The last pediatrician said failure to thrive.

Boohockey. She is thriving too much i think right now, well other than weight. I have tons of books. Nothing works. Crying it out ends up in puked on blankets. Letting her sleep in our bed ends in a child wanting to play all night. and no she doesn't sleep much the next day either. She keeps me up all night and maybe we get a 15 min nap the next day. I need advice. We have the routine down. I use aroma therapy. White noise. changed white noise. went without white noise. bath time before bed ( which woke up her). Driving in the car is the only thing that works but I have 4kids. Thats not a great option. What is with this child. It goes in spurts. Some weeks worse than others but she never sleeps well and she has not napped in at least 6 months. I am worn out tonight. This whole 4 hours of sleep a night for 2 weeks in a row stinks. stinks stinks stinks.

I have an appointment with a new ped in a month but thats such a long time away. HELP

 

[Livinzoo]

I would say it might have something to do with nutrition or reactions to additives in foods. I'm working on healing my 10 month old and my gut. That means lots of fermented foods and bone broths. Also magnesium will improve sleep. A good products is Kids Calm by natural calm.

I feel for you some days my daughter try to not take naps, I'm ready to pull my hair out. I find if I put here in a Ergo (structured baby carrier) on my back as I walk around she usually ends up falling asleep.

 

[linben]

Sometimes children have to learn to put themselves to sleep. She could be over irritable because she is exhausted. I went through the bedtime routine when my kids were young. It would take hours! Finally decided to leave them in the room and cry. I would check on them but not pick them up or try to coax. Eventually they went to sleep on their own. Try watching some of those nanny episodes. There are lots of people who go through the same type of thing. Do some research on hyperness vs. sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation can cause a lot of problems. Good luck until you see the new doc!

 

[ambrosia]

In a crib or toddler bed? I had one child who never wanted to go to bed when he was little. if your child is in a crib... let her have stuffed animals and soft books... then leave a lite on low and the child will learn to self sooth. As with earlier statement, the Ferber Method works wonders, and you will be on your way to a real sleep schedule in a couple days.

 

[HeatherLynn]

Its midnight and she finally is asleep. She is in a crib. She will make herself puke at bedtimes. Its frustrating. I am sure she is tired. Lord knows I am. Her youngest older brother was not this bad but slept horribly. Eventually it was suggested that a half a melatonin for a few weeks might help. Sorta give his sleep a reset. It seemed to help. I am almost tempted. I tried the calmes forte. I swear i think stuff is water. I sorta do the cry it out method. Mine is silent though, from some stupid book that is not working obviously. I lay her down after the bed time routine. Never lay her down too late so she is over tired. After I say good night, even if I end up going in to comfort I cannot talk or make any soothing sounds. I hold her till she is calm again. Just patting her back. Then its back in the bed. If I do not go in to comfort she always gets sick. every single time. Anywho she can't come in our bed, I say nothing, usually after 3 or 4 times she is out. Not as of late. But still even when it works, her bedtime routine takes me close to 2 hours. I think I need a new book or something. I also have used tips from the happiest toddler on the block and the baby whisperer. I am now going to drink my glass of milk, pretend its something stronger, and congratulate myself on having the patience of a saint.

She is very very active so I would think she should be tired. She spent like an hour straight running after dinner. I would have been out like a light. Just frustrated tonight and needed to scream for help. I almost made my mom come and help with her. Was a tad desperate tonight.

 

[Jamie_Dog_Trainer]

Oh gosh I really feel for you.

Well I guess I have two comments based on what information you've given. First, I think that her puking and you responding is just purpetuating the issue. Soothing her is giving her attention. Second, it does sound like she might have something going on medically (if its just not a battle of the wills). I would definately try and get an ADULT Allergy panel done on her. We did with our 3 year old. It sucked because they have to take blood (3 vials of it - yikes!). But the adult allergy panel covers a whole host of foods, both common for allergies and obscure. (the child panel basically is a waste of money) It is very thorough. I will say though that it was very expensive to have done. After insurance we still paid almost $300 on that one test.

I would try and rule out food coloring allergies especially. They are known to cause hyperactivity as well as violent/emotional outbursts. If her new Dr. isn't listening to you go to another..and another...I had to do this for my own daughter who was allergic to my own breast milk. I went on an allergen illimination diet too, for 6 weeks the only thing I ate was steamed fresh veggies, and chicken. I lost weight!

but it did her no good. We did finally find a Pediatrician who took us seriously!

In the mean time you could try and eliminate things out of her diet that are common causes of allergies: nuts, peanuts, soy, dairy, wheat. To name a few, those are all extremely common causes of childhood allergies. Again hugs to you

 

[rebel-rousing-at-night]

OMG I don't even know why I clicked on this thread.

My kids have been grown forever and I don't have grand kids.

I'm a nervous wreck after reading what you are up against. Too many memories are flooding back.

Gosh I hope you get help soon. I fell so bad for you. I know you are exhausted and your little has to feel bad too. Many hugs to you both!

Praying you get the right doctor soon.

 

[ChooksChick]

Believe it or not, you might try putting her to bed an hour earlier. I know it sounds weird, but kids can get a second wind and be overtired and unable to go down.

You also want to try getting her off of all wheat, and off of all dairy, but try them one at a time for a week so if something helps, you'll know which one. It may take both. I was the 4hour sleeper in my family, and then I had two of my own. In my observation, it seems to be a pre-symptom of ADD, as my niece also had the same thing going on, and all 3 girls are ADD. Brilliant, but move to the beat of their own drums.

Taking wheat and dairy out of their diets until 4 helped a lot.

Later, when we took wheat out of the diet in grade school (after they were medicated) the kids could take less of their meds. Off dairy, one doesn't need any meds at all. nThe other needs a small dose. It's just how it works for some folks.

Try the earlier bedtime first. Don't let me extrapolate a whole diagnosis!

 

[BrattishTaz]

Has she been checked for acid reflux? The vomiting and crying at night could indicate that. Is she calmer when you sit her upright? AR is much worse while laying down. Maybe ask the doc if you can try a Tums right before bed.

 

[justbugged]

It's also possible that she has ADHD. To check on that you can dose her with caffeine. Basically a cup of coffee. Kids with ADHD will calm down when given a dose of caffeine. The med's for ADHD, are all stimulants. I have ADD and I take Adderall, it's is simply what is referred to as amphetamine or as speed. It slows me down. One or two doses will tell you very quickly if this maybe part of the problem.

Also she still needs naps. You may need to set a schedule and stick with it no matter what. She should be having lunch then you need to put her in the bed for no less than an hour. You can set a timer. But no giving into her, and it doesn't matter if she sleeps or not. She needs the rest at this age. I can also remember not wanting to nap at this age, and most of the time I needed the sleep. Even being over 50 I still have problems going to sleep.