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Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

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Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler.

Sleep

Anyone successfully done CC with a two year-old?

42 replies

spotofcheerfulness · 02/03/2013 11:49

I can't believe I've let it get this far - but I've spent the last two years in a sleep-deprived fug and can't carry on. I need to get work and my brain isn't functioning as it should.

My sleep habits with my two year old DS are terrible. He gets given bits of milk through the night, starts the night in his own cot and then comes into my bed when he makes a fuss in the small hours. I wish the whole co-sleeping thing worked for us, but I don't get a wink when he's in with me. It's honestly like having a newborn.

I've always erred on the side of caution as he has severe reflux, and although he's on strong meds, I've worried about leaving him to cry as I can't be sure if it's pain or not.

However, the fact that he falls asleep the moment he's with me kind of proves otherwise.

In order to get him to go to sleep in his cot at the start of the evening I have to hold his hands through the bars for half an hour.

Writing it down like this makes me realise how daft it's got. His sleep is totally controlling the household.

Thing is I have an older DS who is four, and who is quite a light sleeper, so not very sure how it will work. I just know that I can't let things carry on as they are. Any advice most welcome!

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spotofcheerfulness · 02/03/2013 19:46

Bump! Am in middle of him plaintively crying out for me. I just don't know if two is too old for CC? It's really hard when they can articulate their feelings and needs.
Sadly I have a need too- for sleep- that is incompatible with his!

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MrsExcited · 02/03/2013 19:50

What about reading up on Tracey Hoggs pick up put down

MedicPeso · 02/03/2013 20:00

Oh no, that does sound difficult. I haven't done CC, but I have been in a similar crappy evening-stealing place a couple of times with DS. I completely agree with your comment about sleep deprivation - you're aware that the way things have to be done is a PITA, but you keep doing them because you don't have the time / headspace to think about what you'd like to do instead.

We've used gradual withdrawal a couple of times, and this worked well for us. But our DS was younger, so I'd recommend reading up on the different methods that can be used with slightly older children. I think gradual withdrawal would be appropriate though (and would hopefully be much gentler on everyone involved).

If this is still too much to tackle alone, ask a sleep specialist for help. You can talk to a couple on the phone, and find out what methods they would use. It's £, but probably not as £££ as you'd think, and can all be done over the phone (including a few weeks of support).

Good luck.

CPtart · 02/03/2013 20:00

A cot......at two?

MedicPeso · 02/03/2013 20:07

My DS is still in a cot at 2.5 as well .

He fits, he doesn't climb out, it works for us.

spotofcheerfulness · 02/03/2013 20:08

Thanks for the suggestions! We did try pupd with his older brother when he was much younger, but may look at that again.
It actually only took 10 mins tonight (and it's the first time he's gone to sleep on his own for about six months) so not so bad. Not sure about using same technique for night wakings though.
What's the issue with a cot at two? Everyone I know kept theirs in a cot or at least cotbed with sides (which is what we have) til aged 3...

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HenD19 · 02/03/2013 20:14

We're having a nightmare too at nights with our DS aged 2.3. He learnt to climb out of his cot 3 wks ago and kept climbing out which we thought was dangerous so we changed it to a cotbed and put a stair gate on his rm. we were starting CC with him hoping hed give up and get back in bed and ho yo sleep but the little monkey kept using toys and books to stand on and diving over the gate. We're trying rapid return with not great results and I am losing the will to live, esp as I'm 30wks pregnant. Have put a bed guard on his bed tonight as found him asleep on the floor last night so am wondering if he's been falling out and then waking up and coming into us. It's so frustrating and you have my full sympathy. Let me know if and how you crack it.

MedicPeso · 02/03/2013 20:18

I wonder whether telling him what's going to happen would help as well, he will be old enough to understand.

We had to do pretty similar to you - night-wean, stop moving DS into our bed, stop touching DS as he fell asleep, then stop talking to him, then leave the room. It's hard work, but with a well-thought out and consistently applied plan, it should work.

LaVitaBellissima · 02/03/2013 20:23

I have twins in Cotbeds, I am not planning on putting them in beds ever anytime soon. Cotbeds go up to age 5, our are huge, and I still put them in giant grow bags so they can't escape!

What about trying a gro clock op?

spotofcheerfulness · 02/03/2013 20:24

Sounds similar to what I'm trying, medic peso. It's reassuring to hear that it's worth persevering with.

Hen, I feel DS may become a vaulter too. One day at a time! Can you put some kind of pillow barrier under the sheet to stop him falling out?

Must be even harder when you're pg and time against you though- my sympathies!

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spotofcheerfulness · 02/03/2013 20:31

Ah- I do actually have a gro clock from when DS1 was this age. I used it for early waking but maybe would work on night too. Thanks for tip!

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Victoria2002 · 02/03/2013 23:04

I think cc combined with a firm 'it's sleeping time, lie down please' or whatever can work at this age, especially combined with praise/bribery along the lines of 'you are such a big boy now that I know you can sleep all night in your bed' and lots of praise in the morning for any improvement. Definitely old enough to understand what the plan is. You could even promise a treat after a weeks good nighttime behaviour or whatever.

KD0706 · 02/03/2013 23:11

I've never done CC myself but I did have coffee on Friday with a friend who was saying she had done it with her almost two year old. The DD was waking multiple times at night asking for a bottle if milk and then barely drinking any. So my friend thought enough was enough. She was tough but it seemed to have worked for them.

spotofcheerfulness · 03/03/2013 16:54

Thank you! I caved in the night and gave a (very small) amount of milk, as I knew he would go back off again v quickly, but as DP and DS1 are away tonight I will try and be more hardcore .
You're right though, he is old enough to get it so I need to see it through.

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MedicPeso · 03/03/2013 17:02

Just to add that you can also night wean using gradual withdrawal instead of CC. For us, this meant not giving any milk (BF), but sitting with DS until he went back to sleep. Night weaning significantly reduced night waking - apparently DS had learned hunger, because he was so used to having multiple top-ups in the night.

KD0706 · 03/03/2013 18:23

I can sympathise with how tough it is. My one year old is still waking in the night for milk. She is breastfed. Because she's only just one I'm not averse to feeding her a bit in the night. But some nights she wants three feeds which I think is a nonsense. But whenever I try to settle her without a feed I tend to cave after a while and just feed her for an easy life.

HenD19 · 03/03/2013 20:03

Have been doing f*ing rapid return for the last 50minutes aaaaaaahhhhhh! And I want to watch 'call the midwife'

spotofcheerfulness · 03/03/2013 21:19

Hah! How long did it take in the end?
TOnight took 1 hr, and I went up every 15 mins, but he wasn't crying, just calling out. I reckon I need to cut down the lunchtime nap as he's just not that tired at bedtime.
MEdicpeso, I am doing the cold turkey tonight but offering water instead. I just worry if I stay with him I'll see his little pleading face and give him some, whereas if I stay outside the room I won't be able to.
It's the coward's way out, isn't it .

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HenD19 · 03/03/2013 21:57

It took 1hr and he was definitely tired when I first put him into bed. Got to toughen up in the night and stay strong too as have let him sleep with me the last two nights as have been so tired. Am still (like every night in the last 3 wks) hoping for him to shock me and sleep through.....but I doubt it v much. Good luck spotofcheerfullness and hope you have a good night

spotofcheerfulness · 03/03/2013 22:56

Good luck tonight! Let me know how it goes tomorrow.
I too will try and stay strong...

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spotofcheerfulness · 04/03/2013 07:43

Bloody hell. Knackered this morning.DS was up for an hour 2.30-3.30 but settled fine after and slept til 7.15 this morning! That is an excellent night for us. Shame then that new neighbours' baby screaming all night and them all up for the day and making noise from 5.30. Karma for the last four years I spose .
But I feel this hasn't been strictly CC as he hasn't been crying really, just calling out for me. Doesn't seem too bothered this morning I must say...

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helebear · 04/03/2013 07:57

We just did gradual retreat with dd (nearly 2) as we were still cuddling her to sleep which was taking up to an hour and driving us insane. Anyway, it took 5 weeks of us being really firm with her and dp & I sticking to the same method and saying/ doing the same thing at bedtime & she's now lots better. My point is that whatever method you decide to go with I think you have to dig deep and stick with it and be really consistent because you're essentially breaking a habit & teaching a new way to go to sleep. It's hideous but worth it!

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HenD19 · 04/03/2013 09:15

Great news spot! Much better night here too. DS woke at 12 and 1.30 but I put him straight back to bed and he went yo sleep straight away and slept til 6.50. Wonder if he just wants reassurance that he's not on his own in the night?

spotofcheerfulness · 04/03/2013 10:00

That's fab, Hen- and I'm sure you're right, they are old enough to get that we're there, it'll just take a bit of prompting!
Helebear, thanks for the reassurance . I need to be realistic and not assume it'll be sorted in a day!

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spotofcheerfulness · 05/03/2013 20:46

Update - both DCs went to sleep on their own tonight - first time this has EVEr happened!
Also had a much better night from DS2. Upshot was that he woke up early, but I'll take that if it means a bit more sleeping through!
How is everyone else doing?

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