Should I sleep train my toddler?

[AnxiousZebra]

DD is a little over 1. She goes to sleep in her cot with me the other side of the room (and had been going to sleep with me out of the room for a period) and sleeps fairly consistently unless she is unwell or something bothering her (which happens frequently!) but does wake every 2-3 hours for a feed which works out about 3 times a night.

She used to be an every half hour waker when she was little so I can manage the 2-3 hours but I feel now that she's ready to go longer and that actually a change is due. I'd previously been in the developmental camp and respected sleep training while feeling it wasn't for us, but I think now she'd probably benefit from longer periods of sleep which might help her settle when she is bothered by something. (Though I'd still always be as responsive as I am now if something was up!). I'll admit I am getting tired too.

We were renovating so she's been in our room until now but can move in the next few days. Is it best for her to get used to her own room and then consider it? If we did I'd like to try something very gentle and responsive like gradual retreat.

Please let me know if you've had experiences of sleep training at this age, or any thoughts. Thanks

We did it the other way round, first the gradual retreat (she slept through within days) and then her own room a month later.
She was a much happier child once she started sleeping through and we realised how tired she had been. Her eating also suddenly improved a lot.

I would do it in 2 stages as you say - get her used to her room first, then start some gentle sleep training after she is settled in there.

I think it’s a great idea to start some sleep training. You will all feel better for it in the long run.

Hi op, I was firmly in no sleep training camp, but at 18 months I was on my knees. I was still bf so we decided to wean - I do t know if that applies to you, but it seemed like a factor for me.

In the end we did do a bit of sleep training - we’d do our normal bedtime routine but then put our dd in her cot awake. She cried to be picked up, and whilst we didn’t, we did stay in the room with her till she lay down and went to sleep. It was really hard but I felt that at least she knew she wasn’t alone, and the bad crying only lasted a week or so. After that she started sleeping through for the most part.

Interestingly, i subs

Oops, posted too soon.

... interestingly, I subsequently read a study that suggested that there is a developmental window at approx 18 months where children are susceptible to sleep training and that can be the best time to alter their rhythm - though it was just luck/desperation that guided us at the time.

I’d read up on the more gentle ways and if you need to give it a go when you’re ready, do. At some point the whole families needs have to come into consideration and I know we couldn’t cope with 3+ wakes a night.

Good luck x

Thank you, this is very helpful

I'm going to have a look into the 18 month development point as am happy to wait a bit if it's to her benefit. If we decide to start I want to be committed to it with no doubts otherwise I feel like it's crying for nothing

Am also still breastfeeding yes - I feel like she can go to sleep on her own but prefers a feed as that's what she's used to. Ideally I'd prefer to sleep train without completely weaning as was hoping to get to 2 with the feeding but will evaluate it as we go

I would try it yes, missed the "window" with my DD and now she is 3 can't get her to sleep on her own or in her own room!