Up until a few weeks ago 2.7 DD has self settled and been a great sleeper although coming in to our bed at 5ish and falling back to sleep till 6/7.
A few weeks ago she had a nightmare and was convinced there had been a monster in her room. Alongside this we realised she had a UTI so she has had antibiotics and is all clear.
Since this nightmare she has refused to be away from me, I can't be in another room or she screams and runs after me and she will not go to sleep unless I lay down with her. And I mean screams, shouting, saying she's scared and doesn't like any noises (we live in a flat so there are some noises from people walking around) gets herself in to a complete panic/meltdown.
I'm at the end of my teather. I miss my evenings/popping in to another room without being screamed at. Her behaviour is now also not good as she is so tired.
I have tried:
- 'Monster Spray' to spray the room/ A 'gobble up monster toy' to keep her room safe.
- A reward chart.
- Rapid return (if I don't lay next to her she just keeps getting up and coming in to the lounge whilst becoming increasingly hysterical. She just didn't give up!
- Promising her a reward in the morning
- Slowly leaving her room
- Laying down and explaining all the noises (I showed her a video of a baby in a jumperoo as she loves babies and there is one upstairs and said this was the noise, but tonight she just screamed that she was scared of the baby)
- I even gave her the iPad tonight for some company but she just said she didn't want it - usually a big treat.
- Stopping her nap.
She goes along with the rewards when we speak about them in the day but will then scream saying she doesn't want them at night and just wants to lay with me. When she eventually goes to sleep she will still appear in our room by 12 at the latest.
I got cross with her tonight and feel awful.
Any help greatly appreciated!