I just dont get it?!?!?!

[Taler]

DD 16 months old has gotten into another pattern of bad sleep. Prior to the last week or so her 'norm' was to sleep through with the occasional night waking (which usually just requires us giving her her dummy), but now she is waking every few hours or so and some of those occasions we need to properly settle her.

I hear some parents say "oh yes, its definitely their teeth" or "they're not feeling well". Does it make me an awful parent to say I haven't a clue why she's waking???

I really don't!

If it was her teeth then just giving her a dummy (which in most cases is all that's required) would not be enough as she'd surely need some kind of pain relief.

How is it that for a few months they are sleeping wonderfully and then they go through a period of rubbish sleep???

Hi. I read recently in a book 'Divas and Dictators' that it takes up to the age of 5 for the brain to develop to handle a proper sleep schedule. Something to do with the hunters and gatherers and the primitive brain of babies. I can't find the book at the moment but I found it very interesting as I was struggling to get my daughter to sleep. At least gave me the understanding as to why she was waking. Basically, it was to allow time for the brain to develop. I know this does not give you the sleep you need but perhaps the peace of mind to know that it is 'normal'.

Ds is 18m and his sleep patterns are always changing! About two months ago we dropped the second daytime nap, and suddenly this week he is having two again most days, but it hasn't upset his night sleeping, strangely.

I just go with the flow!

Hi! I usually find that my 3.5yrs old's sleeping patterns go out of the window when she has growth spurts... One of them was when she was around 18 months. Hope it goes back to normal soon.

My 16 month old is similar OP. I find it really difficult as I don't really know why she's waking up, so I don't have any strategies to get her back to sleep! I have no idea, and feel completely clueless. You're not alone!