Advice desperately needed - 3.2 yr old sleep

[tetleytea]

Wondering if anyone can help...Sorry for long post!

My 3.2 yy old dd has never been a great sleeper but FINALLY in June and July she was sleeping through the night in her own room. It was unbelievably blissful...

Then we had to go and stay at my sister's for 2 months because of building work and dd had to sleep in our room, first in a travel cot, then after point blank refusing that, it was a bit cramped, in my/our bed..... There was no alternative.

We've now been back in our own house for over 6 weeks, and it's proving impossible to get her to accept sleeping on her own again. She wakes up screeching and wailing 2,3,4 times a night, wanting to "come into the big bed" -understandable i realise. BTW she has never slept in our bed at home unless ill.

We've tried ABSOLUTELY everything: soft toys (she's pretty indifferent), my pillowcase for reassuring smell, night lights, bribery - stickers, books she really wants (which is what worked well back in the summer), talking about it...

She just says she doesn't want to sleep on her own.

I'm trying to be really consistent - i explain that we all have to sleep in our own beds, that if she can manage this she can sleep with her adored cousin at christmas etc etc.

Feeling really desperate - the tension between me and oh is rising. His suggestion - put her back in our room - great really helpful . I'm now 7 weeks pregnant and knackered.

We will be back at my sister's again for 2 weeks over christmas - (2 weeks necessary for family commitments, no way round it). Don't want to think about it...

[jellyrolly]

Sorry you are struggling and knackered, it must be hard.

My ds1 3.9 took about 6 months to finally settle in a bed from a cot, it was soul destroying. He was out 50+ times some nights like a yoyo. All I can say it that I just kept putting him back straight away and now he sleeps fine in his bed. I know that is not much help but I do understand your frustration, I used to feel it would never work but now from the other side I can see we were right not to give in.

It's worth trying this - one night I just said to him while he was calm and before he went to sleep, if you wake up you stay in your own bed tonight, and he actually did (once!) I didn't use bribery - maybe I should have - just bloodymindedness! It WILL happen.

Good luck and congrats on your new pregnancy.

[tetleytea]

Bump?

[CarGirl]

Mattress on the floor for her in your room.

Why stress about it, Christmas is going to unsettle her and then she will probably feel very jealous if baby is in with you when she is not permitted.