18 month old sleep

[koalabearboombox]

My 18 month olds sleep is so awful right now. Either awake 5-6 times a night, or waking once for 2+ hours and won't go back in the cot. DH and I manage it between us but both of us are completely exhausted. We have an older child who wakes most nights too, and both always want mummy, so if they wake at the same time then someone is left upset while I sort the other.

I remember my eldest had a period of absolutely horrendous sleep between 14-18 months so I'm guessing this is the same regression or whatever it is.

Don't even know why I'm posting, we've been up with her an hour and DH and I have just swapped for a second time. I just need a reminder that at some point it will be over and I will sleep again!

Yes, could well be the 18-21 month sleep regression. I recall DC1's sleep being dreadful. We co-slept which made it all more bearable.

Calpol/nurofen in case it's molars?

Yes we need to get on top of giving Calpol. Just hesitant to do it every single night when there doesn't seem to be anything wrong at bedtime / during the day. I haven't ever tried cosleeping with her although did with my eldest. It's just that eldest insists on sleeping in bed with me and the two of them would inevitably wake each other.

Oh, that sounds absolutely exhausting, especially with two little ones waking at night! Sleep can be so unpredictable at this age, and it feels never-ending when you're in the middle of it. But these phases do usually pass. Keep taking turns with your husband whenever possible and grab any rest you can. You will sleep again! Sending hugs and hoping tonight is a better one.

Yeah but equally, you don't want them to suffer unnecessarily. If I'm in pain enough to keep me awake, I take a paracetamol too.

Molars take weeks to come through and can really bother them before they even peak through. I'd try it a few evenings.

In our case, every sleep "regression" between 6 months - 2.5 years had a very clear cause - tooth or illness related, starting nursery, moving house.

What's your schedule? I had to cap the nap right down from 18 months to stop split nights. More than at hour of daytime sleep and I have to move bedtime late or put up with split nights.

Thanks @ParentJourneyPK💜

Yes @AutumnHere4721good point I will start giving it at the night wakes, see if that helps. 18mo did start a new nursery about 6 weeks ago and has had numerous bugs so maybe that is still an element too.

@OtterMummy2024gah I am wondering this. Her sleep needs are way way lower than my eldest's were at this age. I might just see if things settle down and then if they don't I'll start capping the nap.

Hey!

Just sharing some solidarity.

Our girl is 18 months, had been sleeping through from 11 ish months but the last 6 weeks have been hell on earth.

Nap is already capped to 1 hour but the nights are awful. Some nights she'll sleep through, some nights she'll just cry one or twice and some night she'll be up for an hour or two.

Hoping and praying it's a phase. She's low sleep needs too which makes things hard.

Sending love and support!