The straight and marrow Dear Dorie, My 18-month-old is waking up at least four times a night. Sometimes he only sleeps for 20 minutes at a time before waking up crying. My pediatrician says that he’s just a bad sleeper and he will grow out of it. Is there anything else I can do to help him settle down for the night? Should I let him cry it out? Any suggestions are appreciated.
Sleep Deprived but Dedicated Dear Dedicated, My sincere empathy for your sleep deprivation — my mother used to call it “bone tired.”
There is nothing more confusing and frustrating than having an otherwise healthy baby that just won’t sleep through the night. The good news is that he will grow out of it. The bad news is that you don’t know when. I’m not a big fan of the crying-it-out techniques, unless you are truly at the end of your rope. Even then, it’s not like you’re going to sleep well while he’s wailing a few times a night, so I recommend going down a different path.
Without knowing all the details, I’d start with a few simple observations. Watch and document what he ingests after 6 p.m. If there are obvious stimulants like sugar or caffeine, eliminate them. Check the room for loud noises or extreme quiet — toddlers prefer somewhere in the middle. Check sleep clothing and bedding for temperature extremes. My mother-in-law remembers that my husband would only sleep well in a T-shirt and diaper, while I needed a blanket sleeper through toddlerhood.
If all of these variables seem stable, talk to your pediatrician about fitful sleep. There are a few other issues that may be considered. Finally, establish your middle-of-the-night response routine well before bedtime so that you are emotionally prepared to deal with the difficulties of caring for a wee one in the wee hours.
Dorie (Dorie Meek is director of the Infant & Family Support Program, provided by Saint John’s Health Center in partnership with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District. Submit your questions to “Dear Dorie” at, or call (310) 452-6132; fax (310) 452-6392).
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 20, 2006. Read the original PDF.