2 year old waking between 3-4am screaming for me.

[CrazyAlien06]

Hi my two year old has suddenly begun screaming for me between 3-4am. She a never done this before. She's been a bad sleeper from day one but just loud and has always settled when going to bed etc.
First night I went in as thought she may need me. She settled then started again then settled herself then started again.

Last night she did it and it went on for 20 mins , I ignored her and went in to Check her and she was naked in her cot asleep with all her duvet etc next to her cot.

Tonight it started 30 mins ago and i haven't gone in yet. She's just calling for me then it goes quiet then she starts again.
I am physically and mentally ruined from the sleep deprivation :(
I really want another child but other half won't because of this ones terrible sleep.

Any tips would be greatly received.

Hi I know the situation your in as ive been through it with my ds hes 2 in december and 2 weeks ago for a bout a week he would cry on and of for me if I went in he would constantly ask me for a hug kiss ect but the worse thing about it I have a dd whos 7 month so its like a cycle all night he cry she wakes then she crys he wakes.. but I feel bad when I listen to him crying but I found if I go in he thinks its a game and getting his own way so what worked for me even how bad I felt was jist to let him cry then within a 2 days he was back to normal as they can only cry so long.. so as bad as it is letting them cry there selves to sleep works. Good luck

If she is without duvet etc when you find her is she either crying because she has a fever/is too warming dressed for the weather OR could she have kicked things off in her sleep and be crying as cold?

At 2yrs old surely she will have enough language to be asked 'what is the matter? or 'Please tell mummy what is wrong?' Try to find out if it is bad dreams/discomfort and go from there?

I would ignore and she will stop doing it ?! She knows it's night time ... I have had the same and I find if I go in it gets much worse - is she teething ?

thanks for your comments :) I think she has her molars already through but cant check as she wont open her mouth.

NewJewels- she only turned 2 three weeks ago and doesnt have the language to tell me whats wrong. Ill try checking her teeth again, temperature etc tonight.

waterrat- thats what I did last night. she self settled and when i went in she was still in her onesie and her comforter and dummy were out of the cot.
I dont want to go in and talk to her as she may get used to that.

Do bear in mind that turning 2 is when the imagination really starts to kick in and fear of the dark/monsters etc can be very scary to them.

Ds became scared of the dark age 2 and i finally caved and got a star light projector and a groclock that we initially just used as a night light. You'll know if shes scared though.

Never too late to introduce some sort of lovey/special toy either.

Other things to consider are if shes hungry? May be worth something else to eat before bed.

If she's just playing up I'd go in once without talking to check she's ok and then repeat every 10 mins. No communication. She'll get bored soon.

Just wait til she's in a bed and can come and creep into yours...

I have 3 although one is still a baby. My other two both done this around that age. It's like it occurs to them - 'hmmm I wonder what will happen if I shout/cry for mummy'?

With my first, because i'd never had a problem with his sleep since 6 months old I thought it must be a genuine problem. I was fetching water and cuddling for ages etc. After a few weeks I lost it and gave him a row. Nothing too scary but very firm and no nonsense. Something like "it is not time to get up now go back to sleep, if you shout again I will have to take teddy away" (bitch, I know) it worked.

When my DD started it at the same age I did 'nice' for a couple of nights then I turned myself back into 'not worth a visit in the middle of the night'!

Be horrible. Who wants horrible at 3am?

barberry oh no no no noooooo. 'check if she is hungry'.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO. Keep meal times to meal times. Unless you want to introduce a little 3am snack id stay well clear from that.

No, im sorry but she is waking at a time that nobody - including her, needs to be awake. Be firm with this one or you'll be hanging out with her regularly and more often!

I didn't mean feed her at 3am! Just try a couple of nights giving her bread and butter or something for supper before bed, if tea is early.

Food at 3am? I'm not bonkers!!

Phew barberry