https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:18:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775690 Tue, 26 Sep 2017 16:17:20 +0000 magnolia 2775690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry you're going through this. My son who is nearing his 3rd birthday didn't sleep through the night for the first two years of his life. I blamed myself for breast feeding him to sleep, feeding him in the middle of the night, and co sleeping. But those were all things I had to do for my own sanity as he would not sleep without them. For naps he has gotten a lot better but when he was younger he needed lots of motion or to be held. </p> <p>He is currently being evaluated by early intervention and it is possible that similar to @jaybirdie my son has sensory processing disorder. From what I can tell He needs sensory input (namely touch and motion) to get and stay asleep. He thrashes when he sleeps with us and tries to push his legs under mine also. We have pretty much cut out co sleeping since we both end up in the edge of the bed. </p> <p>One thing that helped is that we recently moved and his room where he sleeps is only his crib. No toys, books or anything on the walls. I do lie down with him to fall asleep but once he gets down he mostly<br /> Sleeps through the night. We have a very simple bedtime routine of bath and then lying down with mama. I dream of the day he will just fall asleep "on his own" in his own bed but right now it's just not realistic </p> <p>Mrs bee has some really great posts on sensory processing that helped me, it may be good to check out even if just to rule out the possibility </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775675 Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:24:04 +0000 newlypregnantlady 2775675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know. But I just read about weighted blankets for sleep issues in adults and I'm very curious to see if it would help my husband and daughter. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775655 Tue, 26 Sep 2017 14:21:25 +0000 jaybirdie 2775655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really a discovery, but I believe my 4 year olds sleep issues are related to sensory processing disorder. As an infant he needed to be vigorously bounced to sleep on the yoga ball. I think the big movement was calming to his system. As a toddler he wanted to co-sleep but would only calm by shoving his hands and feet under my body (talk about aggravating!). At this stage he often woke 2-3 times a night crying/thrashing around.<br /> We have a good routine going that I think is helping, although he's still not a great sleeper but getting better. Here's what we do now:<br /> - about an hour before bed we do some sort of rigorous movement (jump on the trampoline, my husband throws him into pillows on the couch, go on the swings, etc.)<br /> - before bed we do a few yoga poses, particularly ones where he hangs his head, like downward dog (supposed to help organize his vestibular system)<br /> - then brush teeth/read books<br /> - after books, one of us will lay in bed for a few minutes and provide some deep muscle/joint pressure (basically squeezing his arms and legs, starting from shoulder to fingers)<br /> These are all things we've found to help with some of his sensory processing challenges. The main issue for him, I think, is not having an awareness of where his body is in space. During the day he has found some coping mechanisms but at night he's so disoriented so we are trying to find ways to help him organize his system. These ideas have come from a number of sources including Occupational Therapists, pediatricians and articles I've found online, I'm not sure if any of this is helpful but may be worth trying. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775447 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 18:38:18 +0000 Silva 2775447@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry, you must be exhausted. I would definitely talk to your pediatrician.<br /> My son has trouble as an early infant, but we discovered first that he had reflux, and then later that he wasn't getting enough breast milk. Doesn't seem like those apply to your situation! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775436 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 17:08:26 +0000 tillma 2775436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was a beautiful sleeper as a baby but started getting worse and worse past 6 months (incidentally when he began eating solids) He went from waking up once or twice a night at the beginning to eventually 18 times a night at about 18 months. Yes you read that right. 18 times a night. We were told by several peditricians that that we were causing/encouraging this behavior despite the fact we had worn ourselves thin trying every trick and theory in the book. At one point I was so over it I put the camera on him and let him CIO for nearly 5 hours straight. During that time he never once stopped fussing or sat down. It was the thing I needed to finally pay attention to the little voice in my head that was telling me something was wrong. My first instinct was to test for celiac disease because I have it and it had, oddly enough, caused insomnia for me as well. My ped (who is lovely and listens to my instincts even when she thinks they are ridiculous) agreed to run a celiac panel on him. At about 20 months he came back positive for significant malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies but negative for celiac. Our doctor put him on vitamins and supplements and referred him to a gastroenterologist for further testing. Within two weeks of beginning vitamins and iron supplements he was down to waking up only three to four times a night. After 6 months of back and forth and a second opinion we found a gastro who told us that, despite him coming back negative for celiac, every other test pointed in that direction and he had no other solution than to trial him on a gluten free diet. Within two days of going gluten free he slept through the night for the first time in about 20 months and, with the exception of a few blips here and there, he is now nearly 4 and has slept through the night ever since. Mommy instincts are a powerful thing. If you sense something might be wrong don't be afraid to push for answers! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775435 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:47:55 +0000 littlejoy 2775435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry!! I know how horrible sleep issues can be. </p> <p>We've discovered our LO (3.75) has a true sleep disorder that's likely do to a meletonin issue or something with her natural carcadian rhythms. Bedtime can take anywhere from 15 min - 3 hours. </p> <p>We know that's she's especially triggered by lack of sleep (go figure), crappy eating (why do toddlers refuse to eat?!), and general over-stimulation. </p> <p>It's not a long term solution, but our doctor has advised us to use melatonin to get her to sleep. Then, we also have to address the behavioral issues that go along with bed and bedtime issues. </p> <p>Our kid is highly spirited, and honestly, I think she could be ADHD - it's about supporting her mood first and foremost ... we have to be super rigid about naps and bedtime. It's exhausting and isolating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775430 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:29:20 +0000 gotkimchi 2775430@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@emilye519: I had a chronic early water and tried everything including magnesium and nothing helped except time. Now at nearly 4 she sleeps until at least 6. But prior to that I just put her to bed early by 7 because she was up by 5 everyday no matter what. I really wanted the lotion to work though!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775426 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 16:22:20 +0000 gingerbebe 2775426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: Can you sidecar a twin size bed to your bed in your room? That way she has her own space (wont thrash at you), but you can be physically next to her to soothe? Perhaps then you can put the baby in a bassinet or something next to your husband and everyone can have a space. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775405 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:27:11 +0000 looch 2775405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is a terrible sleeper, so I think my son got it from him!</p> <p>In all seriousness though, I do think my husband and son exhibit the same kind of issues, so I am watching my son for snoring and sleep apnea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775403 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:23:31 +0000 emilye519 2775403@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started thinking about this recently. Our 2.5 year old isn't a horrific sleeper per se but wakes between 4:30-5:3 am everyday no matter what time she goes to bed or how little she naps. She tends to sleep from 8:30-5 am with an occasional wake up probably once a week but she naps 2.5-3 hours everyday so she's getting enough sleep but I wish she'd sleep later instead of so much during the day. I am going to talk with her pedi about possibly trying and iron supplement to see if that could be part of the problem - she had low iron level at her well check which we tried to address with her diet but we haven't retested. I'm also going to try a pre-bed snack to see if it could be blood sugar related and maybe also try a magnesium lotion. I wake up early too so maybe it's genetic so I haven't found a reason for her slightly wonky sleep habits but I'm hoping if nothing else fails she'll outgrow it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775228 Mon, 25 Sep 2017 00:27:23 +0000 Mama Bird 2775228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, never found a reason. It seemed to be partly a way to hang out with me, partly temperament (very high strung kid who must loudly announce to the world when she's not happy). We had to sleep train around 18 months, but she still has some bad nights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775226 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 23:53:12 +0000 MsMini 2775226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 5 year old DS still wakes up almost every night. He was up every 1 1/2 - 2 hours until age 1, partial co- sleeping until 2, just never a great sleeper. My DD was sleeping better at 6 weeks old than he was at 2 1/2. I think sone kids are just shitty sleepers, just like some adults are shitty sleepers. I drove myself batty, blamed myself and finally (after my DD was an amazing sleeper when I did all the same things) stopped torturing myself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775191 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 19:04:49 +0000 skipra 2775191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For my kids it's either been digestive issues (mostly as infants), teething (especially for my 3 year old who still has 2 teeth that haven't come in yet), illnesses, and totally ridiculous but socks. They all need to have their feet covered or they are up all night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775186 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:40:15 +0000 rachiecakes 2775186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: my son will be 6 at the end of the year and he's never slept for the suggested times. I don't think he's ever slept 12 hours aside from when he's been sick. He just isn't a sleeper. I found that forcing him just made things worse (multiple wake ups, crying, thrashing).<br /> Now that he's in school we do the no electronics after dinner, read to self in bed, etc routine and he sleeps pretty well (9:30pm-7am).<br /> Apparently I was the same way as a baby/toddler/kid and to be honest, I'm still like that. No one to blame but myself! :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775180 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 17:13:10 +0000 Meso 2775180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO would do the same thing. It was so bad that my newborn was sleeping through the night before my 3 year old. After talking about it forever, I finally bit the bullet and put her in her own bed. The first week was hard, but after that we both sleep so much better. Her bed is right next to mine, but at different heights. I think having her own space actually helped her sleep better and she wasn't waking up and looking for me to comfort and fall back asleep. She's able to put herself back to sleep most of the time as long as she can see me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775176 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 15:38:55 +0000 808love 2775176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: Yes that exhausted mom guilt made my decision making so cloudy too!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775175 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 15:24:46 +0000 travellingbee 2775175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. He just was terrible until 3 and then one day he started sleeping through the night. We tried everything and had 3 different sleep consultants... nothing worked. He still takes a long time to fall asleep but we're weaning him off needing us there with him. He's 4.5 now and sleeps through almost every night (unless he drank too much water before bed.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775164 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 14:04:26 +0000 Cole 2775164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: We cosleep most of the night but the thrashing is killing us! Plus I feel so guilty that our youngest gets booted because her big sister can't get it together! (I'm sure that's exhausted mom guilt but I still feel bad!) Waiting until she's 5 sounds brutal. </p> <p>@charlotte: @mrsbookworm: I'm going to ask about this. She snores occasionally but it's not consistent and not loud. We're struggling with whether or not she's having night terrors so that's on the agenda for her 3 year visit too. </p> <p>I think it's time to get a sleep study if the doctor doesn't have any other thoughts. I know some kids are lousy sleepers but this seems to be being the range of normal crummy sleepers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775162 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 13:55:30 +0000 mrsbookworm 2775162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. I'm thinking of asking the dr to look at my 4 yo to see if he has enlarged adenoids or tonsils. His sleep is terrible, he snores, has night terrors and multiple night wakings every night. Getting desperate over here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775161 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 13:53:50 +0000 charlotte 2775161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>im guessing it's totally not this but just to check the box -- have you talked to the pediatrician about this? <a href="http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=obstructive-sleep-apnea-90-P02026" rel="nofollow">http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=obstructive-sleep-apnea-90-P02026</a></p> <p>Only asking because my son has huge tonsils and the doctors mentioned that if he has sleep problems we should order a sleep study to check for apnea. He generally sleeps through the night just fine so we haven't done it, though he is an awful snorer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775156 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 13:32:09 +0000 808love 2775156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ummm..no. Except that I know she just wanted to sleep right next to me, when SHE wanted to. We tried/read everything and I finally surrendered to cosleeping. If it is any consolation, she has slept like clockwork since 5 yrs and never a fuss at bedtime. Puts herself to sleep. Also wakes herself up almost everyday for school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-anyone-eventually-discover-a-reason-their-kid-was-a-horrific-sleeper#post-2775150 Sun, 24 Sep 2017 12:48:11 +0000 Cole 2775150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are at our wits end over here. Our oldest will be three in a few weeks and she genuinely sleeps way worse than our 2 month old, and always has. She's walking up at least twice a night but often more like 4+ times, plus crying, talking and thrashing in her sleep. Add to that the hour plus long bedtime routine despite the fact that she doesn't fight or procrastinate and surely there's an issue right?! We have done all the things they say help except locking her in her room for 12 hours every night and I can count on my fingers the number of times she's slept 5 hours straight. Help! </p>