How do I deal with this? (Sleep problems)

[ernjas]

My DS is 21 months. He has always slept through since he was tiny. For the past few months, he's been coming from his bedroom and climbing into my bed which I have no objections to because he still sleeps great.
For the past 3-4 nights, he's been waking up hysterical a couple of hours after going into his bed and not stopping for anything. He won't stop even when I cuddle him, get him into my bed, try and distract him. He will cry until he's almost sick until I find something that works. (We are currently on the couch watching I'm a Celeb)!

What should I do in this instance? It seems to have started since he has started nursery inductions. I've never had a bad sleeper so I'm not sure whether to try and keep persevering with keeping him in his routine or to allow nights like these in front of the couch to pacify him?

I'm completely lost with this any help would be appreciated!!!!

Are you sure he's awake and it's not a night terror? Does he seem out of it all at first?

@babysharkah I'm not too sure - he seems confused in the sense that he's not sure what he wants but I've not questioned whether he's actually awake. I'll give it a google as it could be a possibility! Thank you

With night terrors they look like they're awake but aren't, mine used tone hysterical until it passed. Nothing I did made any difference so we just used to ride it out in her bed and then she's turn over and go back to sleep. They have no memory if it in the morning.

One of mine had night terrors, they normally happen a couple of hours after first going down so this seems to fit. He grew out of them luckily.

@babysharkah thank you for your help.

@3WildOnes could I ask how old he was when they started and how long they went on for?

@3WildOnes (as in how long until he grew out of them)!

It must be awful for him and you. I personally would give plenty of reassurance just like you’re doing. In my experience none of my children have them become dependent on the tv watching, or reassurance, so I wouldn’t worry about making a rod for your own back.

If he’s scared it’s reassurance he wants. Could he be in pain though? My 3 year old wakes up at night with leg pains (sort of growing pains) It can happen with toddlers and literally only effects them at night usually. Could you try giving calpol/neurofen before bed to see if that works.
For us, either dh or I stroke his legs.

@Ozziewozzie thank you, I'll have a look into this too!

Both of my ds's were similar. What worked for us...

They needed to wake up completely to calm down. Lights on, talking normally and walking round like day time, then baby tv. Baby tv is wonderful for calming down.

@melin yeah, that is what seemed to work for my DS tonight. Trying to pacify him while he was in bed or comfort him in our bed just wasn't working, but as soon as we were in the lounge with the lights on and the TV on, he settled.

Both of my boys have grown out of that phase now. It doesn't last forever. Hang in there!!
Glad you were able to settle him tonight.
I always offered a drink and plain snack when they'd calmed down as well.

It sounds like night terrors. What you need to do is shake him awake ish before he has his night terrors, so if it occurs around 4 hours after he's asleep, shake him awake after 3 hours ish. Wake him enough for him to sort of wake up, turn over, open his eyes, but not enough to talk to you or get out of bed, more like so he turns over in bed, lifts his head etc. Do it for about a week and see if that helps.
My grandson had this, I tried it when he stayed here and it worked a treat. From what I can remember, it's re setting the brain. Check he's not too hot as well.
Several of my friends kiddies had the same, shaking them awake worked every time.
Let me know how you get on. Good luck.

I think they lasted for a couple of years, I know that might not be much comfuat the moment, sorry! They seemed to happen more when he was feeling anxious or worried about something.