20 month old suddenly waking 5 times a night - any thoughts? Am pregnant and desperately need a plan!

[somethinganything]

Would love some advice from anyone who's been through this. DD has been a great sleeper from when she was really tiny. No sleep training or anything she just seemed to really like going to bed at night and getting at least 11 hours.

A few weeks ago we were on holiday and sharing a room with her in a travel cot, which I think is now getting a bit small. Anyway upshot was that she woke up a lot and it's developed into a permanent pattern.

Last night she woke up at 2.45 and was awake more or less constantly until 5.15, then up again for good at 6.45. First she wanted her dummy, then milk, then just seemed to want to get up. I'd settle her back in her cot and she'd seem sleepy then it would all start again a few mins later. I'm completely knackered and getting through work is going to be a nightmare. DH just blocks it out, he reckons we should just leave her to 'cry it out' but I just hate doing that.

But I'm pregnant and apart from the lack of sleep wearing me out I really don't want to be dealing with two children waking throughout the night in a few months time. Any ideas?

[Broms]

Our ds (20mths at that time) did exactly the same after 3 weeks in a travel cot on holiday in our room - when we got home he was very unsettled and we had a hellish week but I think he was scared being on his own again and I needed to reassure him that is was ok to be on his own again - the first few days I stood by the cot talking to him trying to calm him and not leaving the room - day 3 and 4 I stood by the door talking to him and then after that I went in and said something like "its night night time go back to sleep" and walk out and then let him cry for as long it took (I went in every 5/10 mins and just said the same thing) - all in all took a week and he has settled back to sleeping through (well til about 4...!). Hate hearing him cry but dh was insistent I did it and I think he was right as all ok now.

[somethinganything]

Thanks, Broms - reassuring to know that you came out the other side (although 4am is a bit of a killer!) It's been 3 weeks since we got back from holiday though so I don't know if it's still the impact of that. She just didn't seem tired in the middle of the night - wondered whether perhaps she was hungry so am going to try and make sure she eats loads today and doesn't sleep too long at nap time.

[Broms]

what time does she go to bed? could it be that she just suddenly needs less sleep?

[somethinganything]

I wondered about that - she just doesn't seem very tired at the moment. Having said that she slept through last night, which was blissful. I liminted her daytime nap yesterday and limited snacks to try and make sure she had good meals. And she did go to bed a bit later at 7.45 (she's usually asleep by 7.30) so maybe that's it. Will do the same again and hope it's not a one-off!