17 months and waking for two hours in night - help!

[13lucky]

Hi there, please help! My ds (17 months) has never been the best sleeper but, having said that, did sleep through at 10 weeks old for a couple of months - I thought I'd cracked it! However, after one illness after another the sleep deteriorated but then wasn't too bad - he went back to sleeping through but waking every day at 5am. Occasionally he wakes up in the middle of the night too - maybe once a week...it all just seems a bit hit and miss. HOWEVER, for the last week, he has been waking up randomly, maybe 2am or 3am and then will not settle - we go in, give him quick cuddle, put him back and all will be quiet for about 10 mins and then he starts up again. This goes on for about 2 hours every night and when he finally goes back to sleep, it's about 4.30am or 5am and then he wakes upat 6am for the day. I also have a 3.7 year old dd who is an amazing sleeper (and has been since 13 weeks old) and she goes to preschool for two days a week so I can't really leave my ds making too much noise in the night...although I'm terrified that by going to him all the time, it is becoming a habit that he needs us there??? He is cutting lots of teeth all at once so am hoping it's due to this...but what if he never sleeps again?!! Please help me!

Hand holding from another mum who is hoping it is all just a phase.

We actually took DD (15months) to the Drs as she seemed to be upset, then clam down aftr an eventual fart so we're trying her on soya milk for her bedtime drink.

Similarly, she shares a room with her older brother who was the ideal trainer baby and who sleeps well and we don't want him waking. But he sleep through more than we give her credit for - it is myself and DH who need training to give her chance to settle herself rather than running in straight away

Sorry I can't be more use

Thanks Yorky - good to hear it's not just me but sympathies to you. Am getting to the point where I dread going to bed. My two don't share a room so I am in a slightly better position than you...although I think my dd does wake up when ds is kicking off as she just looks so tired at the moment and is being very trying (not good when I haven't had any sleep myself!)

Hi 13, my Ds is 17 months too, (did we meet on the antenatal thread?)

He has never been a brilliant sleeper either, the past few nights he has gotten worse again, he will be very unsettled throughout the night, no pattern!

We just try and go to him, lay him back down, and say its night nights now, then leave. He shares with Dd and she usually sleeps through it!

I try and leave him a little longer each time, it is hard isn't it, I have sympathies too!

Hi. My ds went through this phase at approx 17months also. He was sharing a room with us, but we had 4 other dc and didnt want them wakened.
He also was awake for a couple of hrs. After a few weeks of this, I would bring him downstairs, give him a bottle and a few toys, and lie on the sofa, watching the TV-(me, while he played quietly). Once he was sleeping, I took him back to bed, and then slept myself. This was not ideal, but was less stressful, than getting in and out of bed.
The only difference between the OP and me, was that my ds wasnt awake at 6am for the day. Perhaps it may be worth trying to put your dc to bed later in the evening?
Should say, that after being up for 2hrs each night for probably several months, one night, I just gave him a bottle in his cot, and ignored him. He continued to waken each night for a while, but I just gave him a bottle, and he would settle with this.
My ds is now 6.5yrs and sleeps well and did so after this spell of waking, so although I probably wouldnt win any awards for night time techniques, it saved my sanity and just wanted to say, that this period will pass.