My child will not go to sleep without crying for hours, getting up for a drink etc what do I do?

amandaelias February 12, 2009 2:59 PM

Disrupted sleep patterns can be trying for both you and your child. Without knowing your child's age, it is difficult to answer specifically what may be going on. However, no matter what age, I suggest discussing your situation with your pediatrician to make sure there is nothing medically going on just to be safe. Second, if he/she has a clean bill of health, you need to address your child's emotions and attempt to see what is causing this feeling. Remember crying does not necessarily indicate sadness - It can also be an expression of fear, hurt, or anger. If you find that you are having difficulty interpreting your child's emotions, you may want to seek help from a therapist that will address these emotions through play and alternative situations.

Many parents get into the routine of concentrating on the undesirable behavior, rather than focusing on praising small steps in the right direction. Make sure to tell your child how proud you are each time the crying is even the slightest bit less than a previous night. Let him/her earn an incentive for staying the whole night in the room without getting out of bed!