momofanangel
01-23-2007, 12:32 PM
My son is 2 1/2 and always wakes up in the night at least once...but for the past 2 weeks, he's started waking up screaming and crying and won't go back to sleep until I bring him to my bed. I wait until he's sleeping again and then return him to his own bed. He does this about twice a night. This goes on from about 4 am until morning. I have two other sons that are in school. So I'm up at 7 to get them ready. I am absolutely exhausted. Does anyone else have this type of problem? Have you found anything that works for you? I've heard about weighted pajamas and weighted blankets that may help with sleeping. Has anyone tried these? Any ideas would be a Godsend!!
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BetsyAnn
01-25-2007, 10:30 PM
My son had horrible sleeping issues until we tried the casein (milk protein) free diet. Three days after being casein free he started sleeping soundly for the first time in his life. I would encourage anyone with a child on the spectrum that has sleep issues to try to eliminate casein. It leaves the body in three days so you can tell within a week or so if it will make a difference for your child.
taless
01-26-2007, 11:55 AM
My son used to do that at that age. Mostly it would be on days that he was overstimulated. He would wake up crying and nothing we would do would get him to stop except bringing him into our bed and holding him tight. He did outgrow it this, thankfully.
elmhar
01-26-2007, 01:18 PM
Good ideas so far. A few more things to consider trying:
1) Warm Epsom Salt bath at bedtime. Two handfuls of ES in a tub of warm water. Don't let your child drink it, has a laxative effect. But some of the mag is absorbed & is relaxing, promotes good sleep.
2) Is your child verbal? Can he tell you what's wrong?
3) It might be more restful for all if he stays with you in bed all night, after the first wake-up. But I'm sure you know there are pros & cons to that.
4) Check to see that there's nothing that could be physically irritating him -- a rash, a sore throat, a tag on his PJs, the furnace coming on & startling him, etc.
Best wishes.
1) Warm Epsom Salt bath at bedtime. Two handfuls of ES in a tub of warm water. Don't let your child drink it, has a laxative effect. But some of the mag is absorbed & is relaxing, promotes good sleep.
2) Is your child verbal? Can he tell you what's wrong?
3) It might be more restful for all if he stays with you in bed all night, after the first wake-up. But I'm sure you know there are pros & cons to that.
4) Check to see that there's nothing that could be physically irritating him -- a rash, a sore throat, a tag on his PJs, the furnace coming on & startling him, etc.
Best wishes.
momofanangel
01-26-2007, 06:13 PM
Thank you for your replies. My son is non-verbal, so it definately makes it difficult to understand what is upsetting him. I wish he could tell me what is wrong!! I can't sleep with him in our bed because he likes to sleep right on me. He puts half of his body on my head etc...so when he gets sleepy again, I need to move him back into his own bed so I can get some sleep too. I will try eliminating the milk protein and see if that helps. His sleeping patterns are completely off. I try and make him stay awake in the day so he's nice and tired at night...but sometimes he ends up falling asleep right on the spot by late afternoon...hard to find a balance, but hopefully soon. Thanks again!
BetsyAnn
01-26-2007, 06:46 PM
I can't sleep with him in our bed because he likes to sleep right on me. He puts half of his body on my head etc...so when he gets sleepy again, I need to move him back into his own bed so I can get some sleep too.
That is what my son would do. He would thrash around and then climb on my head. He was not comfortable unless his stomache was pressed against my head. I have to say it is impossible to sleep with a child on your head.
I think you are wise to try eliminating casein. We eliminated milk first then yougurt, cheese, and ice cream. We did not see any difference until we eliminated every trace element of milk. After removing all foods with milk in them my son was a nightmare for three days. It was as if he was having a severe drug withdrawl. If this happens don't get discouraged, it is a good sign that the diet will work for your son. After three days of being casein free he started sleeping soundly through the night. The fourth day alot of his autistic traits disappeared.
Soy can also cause sleep problems. I would recommend not introducing extra soy until you see what eliminating the casein does. When my son started eating soy yogurt he started having sleeping problems again. I think if I would have been using soy milk when starting the casein free diet I would not have bee able to see all of the positive effects of eliminating the milk.
Good luck.
That is what my son would do. He would thrash around and then climb on my head. He was not comfortable unless his stomache was pressed against my head. I have to say it is impossible to sleep with a child on your head.
I think you are wise to try eliminating casein. We eliminated milk first then yougurt, cheese, and ice cream. We did not see any difference until we eliminated every trace element of milk. After removing all foods with milk in them my son was a nightmare for three days. It was as if he was having a severe drug withdrawl. If this happens don't get discouraged, it is a good sign that the diet will work for your son. After three days of being casein free he started sleeping soundly through the night. The fourth day alot of his autistic traits disappeared.
Soy can also cause sleep problems. I would recommend not introducing extra soy until you see what eliminating the casein does. When my son started eating soy yogurt he started having sleeping problems again. I think if I would have been using soy milk when starting the casein free diet I would not have bee able to see all of the positive effects of eliminating the milk.
Good luck.
momofanangel
01-27-2007, 12:14 PM
What kinds of things can you suppliment in instead of the milk products? All of those products...milk, yogurt etc are very nutritious...I was thinking I could give soy milk products...but I guess not. What do you give your child in their place?
taless
01-27-2007, 03:09 PM
rice or potato milk. They come plain or flavored, vanilla & chocolate