toddler waking up shouting for us all through the night- please help

[kathhere]

Our 2 1/2 year old DD has been in her toddler bed for approx 6 wks. Initially it was all fine, she wanted to go to bed, would roll over and go to sleep, tending to sleep through, maybe one occasional wake up.

But now she is waking up every night numerous times, and instantly crying for mummy or daddy. We go in to her and tend to have to lie on the floor til she sleeps again but more often than not, this will happen through out the night.

It all worsened whilst she was sickening for chicken pox/ during the illness but that has passed now and whilst she's slept thru once or twice since then, the last week has been exhausting, she's clearly tired too

Are we doing the right thing by goong in/ lying down? How can we break the habit? If we don't go, she'll just get out of bed and go to the door, still crying.

She's also full of cold so that's probably not helping her sleep properly

Please help!

Hey, my dd1 is exactly the same atm. She's nearly 2 and a half, she had a bout of gastric flu, and then a cold which went on2 her chest. She's been in a big bed a while now. She's become reliant on me being in the room with her, and last nite she woke up and was awake for 2hrs. Not good when u also have a 7month old 2 look after.
I spoke 2 a hv yesterday, and she gave me a few tips about doing the usual routine b4 bed, and then after story telling dd that I'm going 2 just pop out and fold washing/ go toilet etc, and keep popping in and out. I t seemed 2 work last nite, but then she woke up, and I couldn't get her back 2 sleep, so I ended up sleeping on the floor 2.
I'm hoping 2 break the cycle 2. If we close the door on her she has a major temper tantrum, which isn't great as she wakes dd2 :(
You're not alone, but hoping someone can come up with some sound advice, as I'm really running out of ideas and sleep deprivation is torture!!

If they have colds, they won't be able to sleep, despite being tired and wanting to-hence being upset and wanting to be comforted. Try putting some books under the head of the bed, cleaning their nose well before bed and maybe have a humidifier in the room. Also, if they wake up they'll find it easier to go back to sleep if their head is elevated, so you could cuddle them back to sleep.
DS and I have just had horrid serious chest infection and the above worked. I had to sleep with 3 pillows for about a month...

Also important to make the mucus easier to get rid off, so make sure they drink lots and let them breathe steam before bed. We found a long hot shower for me, with DS playing in the steamy bathroom, did the trick. And saline spray in the nose with nose-blowing games just before bed.

Olbas oil / Vicks can too with congestion.

She's only 2. I'd make up a wee bed in her room until she was better and we had all had some rest and had a strategy to use - ie putting her to bed, no talking a million times when she gets up or whatever. Trying to do anything now will just make everything worse for everyone I think.

DD1 is 2 years 3 months and has never slept through. DH co-sleeps with her the first time she wakes up so we all get a good nights sleep (I look after 3 mo DD2). We tried the going in to settle her, leave, her waking up, going in to settle her etc, but it got too tiring for us. Co-slerping works for us, but may not work for others.

Good luck!

thanks everyone, we've been trying not to go in at every call and she has been settling herself back to sleep some of the time, other times my OH has ended up going in to her and sleeping on the floor so at least she's staying in bed and getting some more sleep

I'll report back if i have any brainwaves! x