Results tagged “sleep habits” from Momtourage: Need Advice?

You don't fully define the members of your family outside of yourself and your daughter. Is her father involved? Does he have an opinion on the co-sleeping? My sense is that perhaps your nuclear family consists only of you and your daughter, and the situation has been going on for a very long time -- perhaps the entire eight years of your daughter's life.

Since you have a history of a consistent bedtime routine and your toddler previously slept well, it does sound like something is causing him discomfort and disrupting his night. He's at the right age for teething and some toddlers do experience quite a bit of pain as teeth poke their way through sensitive gums...ouch!

I'm sorry you have an early riser, and I know it's exhausting, but 6:30 is when some children wake up. While you can try black-out curtains, an earlier or later bedtime, and even ignoring the crying, it may not make much difference. She's had a full night of sleep and now it is morning and that means playtime! As my son says, "The world is bright. Get up!"

Sleepwalking is common, especially in kids ages 4 to 8. We don't know what causes sleepwalking, but it does tend to run in families.

No matter how you choose to address the co-sleeping issue, it's critical that you and your husband are in agreement. Talk out any options first and make a decision to support each other. This won't be easy, but after a week or two of difficult nights, most children make the adjustment smoothly.

As the mom of three rather balky waker-uppers, I feel for you. I bought an alarm clock for one of my kids. And he took to it with great enthusiasm, cheerfully setting the alarm for the next morning. Yes, it did manage to wake him. But then my son climbed back into bed and pulled the covers over his head. So, in all, a mixed verdict.