DD is nearly 2 and a half. She has been a terrible sleeper since birth. She had reflux, and was then diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Had to have tonsils and adenoids removed last summer.
Since then, her sleep hasn’t massively improved. She constantly moves and kicks and wakes up even within a couple of hours of going to bed. I spoke to a sleep consultant who said it sounds like habit from not sleeping well before.
We have a normal bedtime routine but she doesn’t really get herself to sleep.
We then end up bringing her into bed as she won’t settle again and she kicks the hell out of me, including my head and neck all night. She is also tries to sleep on top of me like I am a mattress.
She is incredibly clingy to me. I am struggling with overstimulation. During the day she gives me hell during nappy changes and i am covered in scratches from her.
My 5 year old is then getting up before 6.
For extra context, we are just generally exhausted as a family. One thing after another. An example is that out of our unit of 4, 3 of us have needed surgery in the past 17 months.
How can I sleep train my 2 year old? Do i need to stick with gentle sleep training and gradual retreat, which is proving tricky considering how clingy she is? Or can i try the ferber method at age 2?
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has sleep trained a 2 year old please.
Any advice gratefully received.