Any ideas that will help me understand why he does this.
By Seppy1984
@Seppy1984 (2145)
United States
September 13, 2008 1:42am CST
I have a 2 year old son who will every night wake up any where from 3-5 times during the night, just flipping out and crying. It sometimes wakes up my youngest child. I will cuddle him every time and give him kisses and hugs and then I ask him to go lay down which he does and he will fall asleep. At first I thought maybe it was because my husband and I argue in front of him so we stoped doing it in front of him. But that did not work. We also always make time to spend time with him. We try to take him for walks everyday which he enjoys alot. We even take him to the park. But when it rains he is cranky, I wonder if this could be it. I'm not sure, so if there are any parents that might be able to help me that would be great.
3 people like this
15 responses
@sandra966 (269)
• Spain
13 Sep 08
Both of my children suffered quite badly with nightmares / night terrors.
Each time they woke up, they would just scream and scream, and if I went near them, they would scream more and kick me or hit me. It was a very scary thing to see.
Eventually they would get to a point where they would let me cuddle them, and then I could calm them down and get them to go back to sleep. In the morning they wouldn't remember anything.
It's hard when you have more than one child, as obviously they will wake the other one up. At times, we had to scoop the one who was crying and even though she would be kicking and screaming, we took them into another room.
They do grow out of it - thank goodness, so just hold on in there.
Good luck.
2 people like this
@ericajane12345 (1)
•
4 Feb 09
My second child is 18 months. He has never slept through at night and wkes 3/4 times. He goes to sleep really well at 6-6.30 after a cosy bedtime routine. Then about 1am every night he wakes for the first time., screaming, kicking, pulling my hair and his own lashing out and making a wild growling noise this can last for hours.
He will eventually drop off to sleep for an hour or so at a time after that,
He is a placid and pleasant toddler by day and does not display any of this. He always takes a morning short nap which he needs.
Please help, my 12 year old has never displayed anything like this.
Is it night terrors? Sleep apnea?
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
13 Sep 08
Its just nightmares....which is normal..My son was actually one for having Night Terrors which is a FREAKY experience to witness....but thats also normal..I wouldnt worry aobut it...Maybe its somethign he saw on tv or something he overheard or had told to him by someone....The reasons are many really..Just keep comforting him like you do and maybe try asking him the next day if anythingn is bothering him or if he had any dreams and what they were about etc...Mind you with him being so young it may be hard to get that out of him simply becuase he really wont understand ya know but you can try at least...Other than that though, just keep doign what yu are doing and it should pass in time..
1 person likes this
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
13 Sep 08
I was thinking night terrors, too, Raven. My son had them. It really is freaky. But, yeah, they do outgrow it. You are doing exactly the right thing by holding and cuddling him.
@Seppy1984 (2145)
• United States
13 Sep 08
Thank you for your idea I'm gonna try that next time. It probley is just a nightmare. Thank you again for your great idea.
1 person likes this
@sundaydriver (29)
• United States
14 Sep 08
My first guess was night terrors, too. My children didn't have it, but my friend's child did. My kids did wake up in the middle of the night, but just for a bit, and they were comforted very easily. For a while, my daughter would wake up crying and when I couldn't get her to sleep, I realized she may have to go potty. And sure enough, she had to be asked because of course she didn't think to tell me. So she'd nod her head yes amid the tears, and we'd go to the potty, and she'd go right to sleep after that. She's 4 now, and she can hold it til the morning. I let them sleep in my bed for the first 2 years. When my son was 3 and my girl was 2, I slept on a mat in between their beds, and I think it comforted them to know I was there. Everyone told me I was crazy, but I had always practiced attachment parenting despite criticism. . Now they go to sleep so easily. I just read a story (or three) say our prayers, and I leave the room. They still make their way into my bed in the wee hours of the morning, but I like it. I cherish every minute I have with them , and I know that soon enough, not only will they stop coming into my bed, they won't want to be around me at all. They grow up so fast, and before you know it, you'll be missing your sleepless nights cuddling them to sleep.
1 person likes this
@Seppy1984 (2145)
• United States
13 Sep 08
Oh maybe my son will have regular sleep pattrens at aage 3 if it does happen I will only have to wait for about 6 months. I can handle it then if he decides to sleep a normal night at that age. Thank you
1 person likes this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
13 Sep 08
Kids that age do that. So its a normal behaviour. Try to ask your child to sleep with his favourite toy near him, for example a teddy bear.
@Seppy1984 (2145)
• United States
13 Sep 08
Ok thank you I'm gonna try that. I will see if he wants to sleep with his stuffed monkey. He loves that toy so much that he tries to have his baby brother play with it.
2 people like this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
14 Sep 08
While I would think that night terrors may be the culprit I have to ask what his days are like. Is he on the move all day long? I mean is he constantly running, jumping, moving? I ask this because my son was on the move from the time he could crawl. His body was so used to moving that when he was sleeping and still his little legs were still speeding along. It would cause them to cramp up and it was very painful.
Either way I think changing his routine before bed may be helpful. Perhaps an hour or so before bed start slowing his day down with some quiet time. A nice bath, massage his legs and comfort him into going to bed. Might be especially comforting during those rainy days.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
14 Sep 08
When he wakes up crying try massaging his legs and bending his knees. The only way to get rid of the leg pain is by moving the legs. If he understands well enough teach him to bend his own legs when it happens.
Hopefully this is the problem and you can work through it. Good luck.
@Seppy1984 (2145)
• United States
14 Sep 08
He is always on the move. So I think this could be the right comment on my child's problem. I'm gonna start changing his routine some and I'm gonna start it today. Thank you so much.
@Seppy1984 (2145)
• United States
13 Sep 08
Thank you I hope it will be pretty soon then if it's not I will just try the one thing that the person above you suggested. Thank you so much for help.
1 person likes this
@emarie (5442)
• United States
14 Sep 08
does he really acknowledge you there? are his eyes open but it looks like he doesn't see you? my first guess would be 'night terrors' they happen a lot when the child is sick. if he hasn't gotten is 2nd year molars in yet, the pain could be causing it as well. my nephew had it a lot. sometimes kids don't grow out of it till about 5yrs. You can do more research on that on your own to see if the symptoms match up. if that's the case, there really isn't anything you can do.
if not that, it might be growing pains which may come on occasionally. my eldest son has this sometimes. the only way to explain it is that their body is growing faster then they can catch up and it causes some stress and pain. if that's the case just try rubbing him at night when he cry's.
or it just might be a simple bad dream. those still happen but with that young age they wouldn't be able to explain what they saw. its hard on parents because i just sit there sometimes watching my son whine at night and not knowing what to do. just stick by him, he'll be fine.
1 person likes this
@olivebranch56 (910)
• United States
14 Sep 08
This used to be called night terrors, it starts around the age of 2 and usually last until around 4, but it does get better over the 2 yrs span. The best advice I can give is reassure him everytime that all is well, and do not let him into your bed, as he will come to expect that. Snug him up good in his own bed. It also helped when I got my son a glow worm, then he had something as a security type item, and it gave him a light to reassure him. Hope this helps, Blessings Marilyn
@mlh8087 (368)
• United States
14 Sep 08
You may have already done the damage arguing in front of your child. He may be having nightmares but doesn't have the speech ability to tell you about them. I don't know if there is any type of counseling a little one can go thru but lots of tender loving care is definitely needed. On the other hand, 2 year old may know he gets lots of extra attention when he behaves the way he is; in which case, it's time for tough love. Give him a pat on the back, a kiss on the cheek, and put his butt back in bed.
@swampy1980 (25)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Ok I hope you don't take offence to this. But it could be that your child has got worms. Kids can get them anywhere. From a pet, or a friends or familys pet. At daycare or school. Walking bare foot. Playing in the dirt. So they are at risk in many places. I learned the hard way. My child started crying at night. I did not know why. I did see him itching his bottom some. So when I took him for a check up at the Docs. I asked about it. They told me worms and it was an EZ thing to fix. I gave him 1 pill that day and 1 in a week. I had to wash all of his bed thing alot during the time. To make sure we got it all.
The doc. told me the worms come out of their bottoms at night to lay their eggs. It drives the kids crazy. This is what wakes them up and makes them cry. Durring the day the eggs hatch and go back in. This is what makes them ich.
I AM NOT SAYING YOUR SON HAS THESE. I just don't want it to be over looked. It is not safe for your kid and it makes them so uncomfortable. So please don't take offence. I am only trying to give you an idea to have in mind JUST IN CASE.
@Seppy1984 (2145)
• United States
14 Sep 08
I not taking this as an offence, I asked for opinions and that is what I need so I can have different ideas. Thank you so much for your comment. This also helps me out so I will start watching out just in case this could be it cause he is always playing in the dirt and walks barefoot alot. Thank you for your helpful tip.
@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
14 Sep 08
I think it is normal for babies to do that, my mom's experience was a lot harder I remember my mom told me that when I'm still just a baby and I used to wake up around 1 am and just cry. All she did coz she cannot put me to sleep and becasue I don't want to sleep, she turn the tv on and played the VHS tape of either Topgun or Iron eagle. When the movie was ended, I cried again so my mom hit the replay button and palyed it again. lolz! I was awake the whole ungodly hour and in the afternoon, I was sleeping gently and silently.
1 person likes this
@mom2eli (32)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Hes a little boy...and all kids sleeping habits change. One thing I would suggest, if I may, don't go into him everytime he wakes up. Yes, kids bodies, minds, are changing at this age but he also knows you are going to come in a cuddle with him every SINGLE time he wakes up. Remember, hes 2 and he has you right where he wants you. A book I have suggested to many friends is called "Healthy Sleep Habbits, Happy Child" I got it at target. Its awesome, not over the top but gives some real insight from a MD on kids sleeping habbits. It goes month by month so its very helpful. So from a mom/ RN stand, its worth looking at. Remember Sleep promots Sleep...and if your son isn't sleeping at night, thats why hes cranky during the day..he also may need a diff nap time. My almost 2 year old needs to be down by 1pm and will sleep atleast until 3:30 but if I put him down at 2 he still gets up at the same time. Thats what the book gives you..estimated needed sleep, how to adjust bedtime to adapt to their naps. Remember every child is an individual.
1 person likes this
@rahul28rjn (54)
• India
14 Sep 08
hello i am an single man but i think u should spend many time with him and play with him give his favourat toy and i think he want a younger brother or sister to play with him i think u should try for next baby..
@tgpushpak (2)
• United Arab Emirates
14 Sep 08
HI Seppy
i understand your situation. iam a nurse. so i thought i can help you.
first of all i apreciate your love to your children. your baby is 2 years old.1- 3 yrs aged children are called toddlers. and this behavior is normal to this age. the solution what i can say is, before going to bed make the child to void, do not give water or juice just before going to bed, give a short and warm bath, wear ironed soft clothes, pray before sleep. and see the changes. it definitely works....
BEst of luck.
@Seppy1984 (2145)
• United States
14 Sep 08
Thank you so much for your tips. We always avoid drinks after 9 p.m cause he usually goes to sleep about 10:00. I never thought about doing the other tips. So I'm gonna start doing that. Thank you again.
@Chandrani12 (52)
• India
14 Sep 08
Though I am single my age is just 17 i think its a natural response of a baby to wake up at night, it can be because he is hungry or wants to go to the toilet.If thats not the case give his favorite toy around him. Even if thats not the case ask som1 who had a baby or som1 who has much more experience dealing with babys or u could consult a pediatrician.
