2.5 yo night waking and SCREAMING

[Buildthemup]

DD for the past few nights has been waking up and screaming at the top of her lungs for around 4-5 hours.

She has been getting out of her bed. I have done the sitting outside her room and putting her back in as soon as she gets out without saying anything. I did this for three and a half hours (not an exaggeration) last night.

She isn't hungry or thirsty etc. She just says she wants me. I really don't know what to do. She's waking other DC, I'm pg and tired and working long hours bla bla bla.

BTW I would totally take her into bed with me if I thought that would work but I know she (and I) wouldn't sleep.

Desperate for advice!

[roseteapot101]

have they got a night light and a stuffed toy.My daughter slept better with a night light and a stuffed toy .As they get older they start feel uncertain of the dark and dreams get more vivid

[Buildthemup]

Yes to both. You are probably right about feeling a bit scared. Older DC are massive scaredy cats. I don't know what to do to remedy that though.

[ilovetosleep]

Just had a month or so of this from DS2. Also waking older DC and am pregnant. Feel for you! anyway, it has just come to an end and low and behold he has 4 new back molars. I had no idea. Just saw them a couple of days ago. Could she be teething?

[FATEdestiny]

I would go the route of trying to help her feel safe, rather than hoping she'll just stop feeling scared if left long enough.

If I am perfect honest, in that situation i would move her back into a cot. But I assume if that was an option you would have already done it. So...

I'd probably buy a single mattress and put it on the floor of her bedroom and sleep in there, until she is feeling more safe and secure.

[smallchair]

This maybe isn't quite the same thing as it sounds like your dd is properly awake, but my dd had night terrors at the same age, screaming and crying inconsolably but not really reacting to comforting / hugs etc. Sitting her on the toilet for a wee would settle her 9 times out of 10