Sleep

[foxy123]

Hiya my DD is 1.9. The trouble is not getting her to sleep, in fact in that respect she is the model child - will lay down at 7.30 while I read her a story and drift off to sleep. The problem occurs at 10-11pm where she will wake up, stand up in her cot & start screaming.

? It's not because the dummy has come out because that's often still in
? It can't be because she doesn't know where she is as she goes to sleep in her cot?
? I tried leaving a lamp on last night but that doesn't work either

She is in her own room now and for the 1st month (June) she slept through fine. Now I end up with her in my bed every night, as if I get her back to sleep in my room and then take her back in to hers she always wakes up

Any ideas would be greatfully received!

Well first of all I wouldn't take her into your room atall. I think it just sounds like she needs reassurance. Most people will wake up a few hours after they go to sleep and then go back off again, but if you were there one minute and not the next as far as she's concerned it's going to be scary for her.

Completely normal. I really would just see it through. Just accept that for a few weeks or months even you'll have to go through this. I know it's a struggle but I promise it wont last.

When you go in to her keep it really brief. Just say it's ok, mummys here etc and then come straight back out. She probably will carry on crying but the important thing is she knows you're there. Eventually she'll get bored and go to sleep, even if you have to keep going in to say the same. Cuddle her but don't pick her up. I know it sounds a bit supernannyish(i'm not a fan actually) but this worked for me.

Maybe go with her to pick a special night time toy which she might get some comfort out of when she wakes and you're not there.

Hope this helps. :)

Have you tried reading her a story while sitting in her room but she is not in her cot, then putting her in cot whilst awake. Because if she falls asleep whilst you are reading her story in her mind she doesn't know you are not there iyswim so when she wakes up is shocked to be on her own with light off.

Yummum01 so it's the controlled crying route you think? I tried a version of it where I actually stay in her room and shhh and pat her but she screamed uncontrollably for an hour and I couldn't take it any more...

racheyh I haven't tried the story out of the cot but the last couple of nights I have given up reading the stories after a while & she just turns over & falls asleep?

am kinda wondering whether to go all out and buy toddler bed/remove dummy routine and writing off a weekend/weeks worth of sleep once she turns 2?

But after an hour of crying did she go to sleep or did you bring her into your room? I know it sounds harsh, but if she went to sleep eventually then an hour isn't that bad, it will only degrease.

I know I don't know the whole story, I can't, but that would be my suggestion.

I really hope something works for you anyway. I know how exhausting it is. It's not just the night time is it. You're worrying about it in the day to.

It's just a blip, remember that. :)

TBH I gave in after that hour no.1 because I felt so bad and no.2 because I kept getting paranoid the neighbour was knocking! Thanks for your suggestions I will give them a go...