Three year old waking once or twice a night!

[Jellylorum]

We took his dummy away a couple of months ago in case that was the reason but he's still waking up and calling out. I run in ( he shares a room with older DS) briefly resettle and he goes back to sleep, but it's so disruptive! How can I improve it?

[AtlanticWaves]

No idea but I'd love to know!!!

My 3 year old wakes once or twice a night. He also shares with an older brother so I have to rush in too (although to be fair, the 6 year old also wakes every night so I'm also rushing in to make sure he doesn't wake the 3 year old . Yes I do get up several times a night...)

We have had recent success with bribery. If they stay all night in their own beds and don't get me to lie down with them then they get 10 cents the next morning. At the weekend they can spend their money on sweets.

It has worked brilliantly and helps cut down messing around at bedtime too. It hasn't stopped them waking up but that wasn't my goal at the time - I just wanted to stop the unplanned co-sleeping!

You could try bribing him not to shout out to you?

My next step is not having to sit with them whilst they go to sleep. The calling out is further down my list!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I'd tell him before bed that if he wakes up and it's not time to get up ( get him a Gro Clock) that he's to turn over and go back to sleep and if he doesn't he won't be watching favourite TV programme the next day / or do a star chart depending on which way you want to play it.

Personally I wouldn't worry about him waking his sibling. Sounds like he's got used to you running in when he shouts. If he does get up,I'd take him right back to bed with no conservation.

[GlummyMummy]

I could have written your post Jellylorum, and sounds like we're not alone!

My three year old has only slept through the night maybe 10 times since Christmas. A "normal" night for her is wake up once at 1, 2 or 3 am, come into our room, and than have us lead her back to bed. She occasionally asks for a drink, but otherwise she doesn't speak. She then falls back to sleep (or so we assume) but then we are often wide awake.

Not sure how we break this cycle, seem to have just become a habit now.

[crazycatlady5]

I think threatening him with taking away things is a bit mean to be honest as if he wakes up and can't go back to sleep (even if he calls for you) he'll think he's 'bad'. Although yes if you get a gro clock and tell him that when the sun comes up it's playtime etc it might work. Use reward rather than punishment.