Sleep Issues in 20 month old

I have had my (almost) 20 month old son sleep trained since he was 6 months old. We used the extinction method and it worked beautifully.

He recently went through the 18 month sleep regression, and it seems that his sleep continues to get worse and worse.

He goes down to sleep at 7:30, then will wake up to 4 times a night. I tried to let him cry it out, but I just give in and go give him a bottle which holds him off another few hours. I think at this point, the bottle is a crutch and he really doesn't need it.

Last night I did the one thing I never wanted to do, which was let him sleep in bed with me. My husband works over nights, so it wasn't a big deal. He slept 3 hours straight, woke up, had a bottle at 4 am then slept until almost 7 in his crib which was heavenly.

I'm just curious as to what other methods people on here have used to stop this cycle. I know sleep training can be controversial, but it worked really well for my family.

I've exhausted all options on facebook as far as sleep training groups go, so I'd love to hear new opinions!

Sleep Issues in 20 month old

I did sleep training for my twins from 5 weeks on. Hell no was I staying awake 24/7 to feed on demand, change and god knows what. Once they reached 6lbs all bets off and I hit the ground running with the tightest schedule ever. I schedule them currently during the day so they eat every 3 hours. They have a long morning nap immediately after the morning bottle at 6am. They wake at 8:30 eat, play, get ready for the day and gen nap again around 1/1:30. My twins get their last bottle at 8:30. They are only 3 months so still swaddles etc. both since 9 weeks old sleep 8-9 hours over night.
Does your son understand if you are firm and say no, its sleep time now? Is he actually hungry overnight or is it more comfort feeding?
I would try going in, console him but don't turn on the light or take him out of the crib. Just say "--- it's bed time." Kiss him and walk out. When we started sleep training we did the overnight feed in the dark so they started learning it's night time. Is he stimulated throughout the day? If he's napping too much during the day that could be why he's having an issue overnight. I read moms on call and they have I think up until 2 years of age sleep and schedule advice and so far it's a lifesaver!

Re: Sleep Issues in 20 month old

Problem is you're sleep training him now to cry and get a bottle. You need to just let him cry - don't go in, don't give a bottle, don't bring him in your room.

We did CIO at 6 months old with DD and she's a fab sleeper now at almost 2yo.

Sleep Issues in 20 month old

At 22 months, I was still nursing my DS in the middle of the night. I was a zombie. One night I went into his room and firmly told him no more momma milk at night. I then left the room. He cried for like 2 minutes. He hasn't really woken up since. He's about to be 3.

Re: Sleep Issues in 20 month old

Sleep Issues in 20 month old

We did CIO with our daughter when she was a baby too and she was a really good sleeper until around 15 months. She is now about to be 2 and we are in the middle of sleep coaching her with the chair method under the guidance of a professional consultant ($400 later). I would strongly, STRONGLY urge you against bringing him into your bed if you are not a willing cosleeper. Also, he doesn't need a bottle in the middle of the night. He is playing you. My advice is the longer you let these middle of the night interactions go on, the harder it will be to break them. Good luck, I know how hard it can be.

Re: Sleep Issues in 20 month old

We got rid of the middle of the night bottle by replacing the formula with an ounce or 2 of water in the bottle instead of formula. It was enough to calm them down so they went right back, but not enough that they cared to wake up for it after a few nights.