23 Month old nighttime sleep

[Boohoo11]

Hi, new poster here -
My 23 month old has been constantly waking in the night for the past month or so and taking hours to go back to sleep. His molars are coming in but he doesn't wake in pain, just wide eyed and wanting to get up. His wake time can range from 1am-3am and he can be awake anywhere from 1.5-4hours. There's no pattern to it. He's not too hot or cold. I just can't understand what's waking him.
He would sleep hours in the day if allowed however I have cut his nap to 45 mins - 1hour but this hasn't made nighttime any better with the exception of falling to sleep initially. Is this some kind of phase (again)? It happened when he had just turned one for 6 weeks and the only thing that resolved it was putting his travel cot up in our room for about a week then moving him back to his own room. He is much bigger now and when in bed with us he just talks and constantly moves around the bed so no one sleeps anyway until he passes out exhausted.
I don't know what else to try, any ideas appreciated. TIA

[futuremrsconnor85]

No real advice here but just want to say you are not alone! My daughter is 23 months and wakes up randomly for hours in the night too. It's not every night and there's no real pattern to it but she can be awake for 2-3 hours. Very frustrating! I think you've done the right thing in terms of reducing the nap. I've heard (and am hoping) that it's a phase they go through. When she wakes up and I go to her I try and be boring and firm by saying 'it's bedtime now, lie down and go to sleep'. It tends to work eventually. Solidarity here.. and coffee!

[futuremrsconnor85]

I've just remembered something. Could your son be overtired? On a night we were able to get DD to sleep around half 7 rather than her usual 8-8:30 she slept though with no wake up. Could be worth a try?

[Boohoo11]

Thanks for the reply, glad to know it's not just me that's in this boat but sorry to hear ur going through the same.
I don't think he's overtired but maybe the nap is a little too short for his age. I'm gonna have to try tweaking here and there I guess and see if something works.
I do the same, don't engage with him just tell him 'sleep time still' but he just chats away or throws his teddy out of bed laughing. If I leave him in his room he cries and shouts out for us and would if left get hysterical so that's not an option.
He seems wide awake but then in the morning it is beginning to effect his behaviour :( so I know he's not getting enough sleep overnight. Jeeeez it's tough at times.

[happyhealthvisitor]

Hello tired mummy I might be able to help you I am in the process of starting a sleep service so if you message me I will guide you thro some steps that may help :)

[bluepixie]

Same here! 25 month old waking up bright and awake screaming if we not in room and then screaming when we come in for books or to put light on?!?
Doing same with naps so either skipping them or I’m having to car drive him around. We haven’t had any skipped naps coz I force them upon him as I know he needs them but there is resistance before he passes out!

Used to sleep all night and wave us goodnight!