Amazing sleeper....until bonfire night....

[walderh]

Due to my nearly 3yr old being such a great sleeper, myself and my DH decided to go away overnight on 5th November. My DS stayed over at his favourite aunty's place (where he has stayed before, very happily) and all hell broke loose. The fireworks scared the living daylights out of him and he was awake all night. We returned on Saturday afternoon and due to the trauma, let him sleep in our bed on Saturday and Sunday night (the fireworks were still going) We tried to put him down in his own room on Monday night and he threw an almighty tantrum - he has great verbal communication but couldn't tell us what was wrong. Since then he has been waking every night around 4-5 times and wont go to sleep unless we are sitting in his doorway while he drops off. He is asking for everything; cuddle, strokes, drink, toilet, food etc. We have tried CC and gradual retreat, but no matter how many times we return him to his bed, he still wakes.
We have tried; new light, extra covers, sleep fairy, door open, door closed, gate on, gate off.
He already has a gro-clock, light and music show that he has had for ages.

Does anyone have any advice to offer? I've done alot of reading about it on-line, but can't find any sleep related issues to do with trauma.

Thanks for reading x

[stinkypants]

my instinct is to persevere but to stop trying so many things, it will be confusing him. just stick to a basic routine, act confident but loving, and keep putting him back down. if he knows there is no reaosn to be fearful and that whatever he does, your behaviour is the same (i.e. you are not panicking) he will feel reassured and regain his feeling of safety and comfort in his own bed.

[BornToFolk]

I sympathise, DS (3.1) was freaked by the fireworks too and it took him an hour to go to sleep last Sat night, and DP had to be in the room with him at the time.

Since then, he's been asking for the door to be left open and for us to wait outside. We agree, and then creep down the stairs... We leave the monitor on and if he calls out we go back up and say we're still there...

Anyway, I agree with stinkypants - it does sound like you are trying a lot of things. I'd be kind, but firm as in "it's time for sleep now. No more cuddles/food/water/stories now, but I stay in the room/sit outside quietly until you go to sleep and I will come back and check on you later" DS is really reassured by the fact that I go in during the night and put his duvet on (he only wants a blanket over him when he drops off)

If you can get him going to sleep with minimal fuss with you sitting in the doorway, you can then try the "I'm just going to put the washing on/talk to daddy/go to the loo, I'll be back" without actually going back trick.

Good luck!