Does anyone else have a toddler like this? Persistent sleep problems and very fussy eater

[abigailj]

Hi, I'm posting this for my sister in Australia, who is really struggling with her little girl who just turned one. Would be interested to hear if there are any other toddlers out there with similar temperaments. Any advice also welcome.

She says: "These are my problems:

1. settles easily for naps without any intervention but only sleeps for 45 minutes max. twice a day. Is not fed to sleep. Has a bedtime routine. Tried resettling after each nap for 3 months but only cries and cries for hour + till you give in. Haven't tried for many months just get her up now. Does random 1 hr and 15 minute sleeps every 3-4 days. Goes to bed at 7.15. Has early morning waking - 5.30
2. is often overtired
3. refuses high chair
4. usually only eats one meal a day (probably breakfast or lunch). Doesn't eat vegetables much at all unless disguised.
5. has episodes of prolonged screaming at night(1.5 hrs) when there is nothing objectively wrong with her and refuses all comfort. Settles occasionally with mum or dad but screams when you walk out of room. this happens regulalry. We have tried contolled crying for 6 months with no improvement. Don't want to do co-sleeping.

Having said that -walked early, talked early and can already tell me when she has a dirty nappy that needs changing. Has been exclusively breastfed, now on 3 feeds per day 6-6.30, 1.30 and 6.45 ish. Growth has been good altough since toddling has become much thinner.

There are so many children like ds on here at the moment!

Also sleeps bang on 45 mins, however if he is in the sling I can often rock him back to sleep for another 45 the second he rouses (probably your sister wouldn't fancy this much as its a bit limiting for you - but its my mumsnet time!) I'm sure 45 mins is the length of a baby sleep cycle whereas an adult's is longer.

Also have had bedtime routine forever but he's a nightmare still. Teething is a big problem here, goes on forever and worse in evening and night, hence we do co-sleep. Has she tried moving bedtime later plus blackout blind. No Cry Sleep solution has lots of alternative to CC, might improve things a little.

Also hates highchair. I make sure the food is there before he goes in so wailing is limited. He hardly ate anything til about 15 months and now actually swallows food (its like a miracle ). Hang on in there and keep providing good range of healthy-ish food and don't stress. As long as they are not losing weight you can trust them to take what they need.

Ds also screams a lot. Have had him checked out by various professionals who come to conclusions like, he's bright, he's frustrated etc. I just try and be there with him through it. Like I said teething definately is a factor which causes overtiredness by disturbing his sleep.