No Apnea!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all, Got a call today from the sleep clinic today.  I thought they were going to tell me to come in tonight for my second night of the study.  To be honest, I would have loved to go since I had such an awful night w/ my kiddo's last night.  Any kind of sleep would have been better than that.  But she has good news.  I do not have Apnea.  I know that sounds good and I should be thrilled, but does it sound strange that I wanted to have it.  I need something to be wrong to get an approval from Tricare, and so far, NOTHING!!!!!  I hope that this does not hurt my chances for an approval. Now, back to my lack of sleep.  Does anyone have any ideas how I can get my 2 + 4 year olds to sleep all night.  They both are AWFUL sleepers.  My son the 2 year old wont go to sleep on his own.  We let him cry, but he is in a toddler bed and keeps getting out of his room.  I put up a baby gate, and he climbs over it.  I am going nuts.  My 4 year old just wakes up in the night and comes in bed with me.  If I try to put her back to bed she cries and screams and I dont want her to wake up her sister-(they share a room).  This really is a problem, and I dont know how t fix it.  I tried melatonin (natural sleep aid)-it did not work.  I cut out sugar and sweets at night and not a lot to drink after dinner.  They NEVER drink caffine.  PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks. Jen

These are some things that I tried years ago.  A bath before bed helps, kids sleepy-time music, recorded stories, an object for them to focus their attention on - one had stars on his ceiling that glowed in the evening. One had a teddy bear that had a heartbeat sound (worked great!).  I also gave them a say in decorating their rooms - sheets, spread, lamp, paint, etc.  Giving them some choice in the matter helps & gives them some control.  What do you want tonight - music or story?  Is it time for new music?  You choose.   What can we do to make it easier for you to get to sleep at night?  I sprayed a calming scent in the room.  Recently I was ill & used a diffuser with oil to help me get to sleep.   Night lights were important.  One lamp had a music box attached.  Maybe a special room spray?  I even had special lotions that smelled great to use in the evening.  I I made a big deal over mentioning the coziness of their rooms, how lucky they were, & how it was MUCH BETTER than my boring room.  You can also offer rewards, slowly tapering off.  This is also referred to an "incentive" or "bribery."  But we do this with adults so I had no problem with it.  I still don't.  Want to eat today?  Need new clothes?  Good luck.  Islander

 

It si funny because as I sit here and write this at 9:52pm, I can hear him screaming his head off.  I am in tears because I just want to go get him and get him to sleep, but I also know he has to do it on his own-(this has been going on for an hour).  I do almost everything you all listed.  I love the lavendar lotion.  Used it w/ all 3 kids.  We have music and a cool big boy night light.  He has his nighttime friends in bed.  And his bed is adorable.  He just has us wrapped around his finger.  He seems to be getting tired now, maybe this is it for the night.

Thanks for the advice,

Jen

 

OOPS, not over yet he got out of his room again. I am in for a long night.

So sorry.  Sometimes a warm shower helps - for you.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better

It's been awhile since I had to lull a baby to sleep.  My baby turned 25 today!   I've heard that lavender is relaxing even for babies and I've seen the baby magic (I think) or maybe Johnson and Johnson baby wash.  That might help.  Reading a story is a great relaxing, bonding experience.  Actually, I'm thinking now, about me and a nice shower in lavender and then a book sounds good.....good luck!  Jules  PS  I'm just discovering all these cool smiley things to stick in these messages!  LOL

I didn't have Apnea either .. I was surprised... now the kiddies ... are you letting them nap after 1pm?.. if you are I wouldn't .. maybe they are not tired enough at bed time ... I'd try keeping them from napping and a nice bath before bed and then read them a book and then lights out.  I'm thinking that maybe they just aren't tired at bed time.   ..oh and I'd have them get plenty of outside play time .. the fresh air might help with the sleeping too.