Toddler waking 3-5 times a night!

[sharmie]

I really need some advice.

Our DS is now two and has pretty much NEVER slept the night.

He goes down at 7 with no fuss at all. A little angel.

But then he wakes up 4-5 times a night. Finally waking at around 5am when he comes into our bed til 6am.

When he wakes he cries and we go in and put him down. Normally he goes back to sleep easily, but then of course he wakes again an hour or two later.

We are EXHAUSTED. We have tried checking on him and then if all ok letting him cry it out sometimes if he doesn't go back2 sleep but both sides of our neighbours have complained. It's very stressful when they r insinuating that we r neglecting our son. it's just that he is a very loud crier and sometimes he has a trantrum.

Ironically he slept in our bed until he ws 10months and I have never until recently let him cry it out. (they have been complaining even when he was 3months old!)

But now we r desperate. I don't know what to do and am seriously considering putting a cot in our room! Or sleeping in his room? As it seems all he wants is to know that we r there. I have tried night light, lavender oil, etc etc.

Any advice?!

Bump

Sorry there's been no response to this as I can imagine how desperate you are.

My gut is to try a gradual withdrawal technique and wonder if you've looked at the no cry sleep solution (elizabeth pantley). I'm not sure at his age if crying works - my DD just gets louder. She's in a bit of a phase at the moment where she cries when we turn the light off at bedtime, having previously slept really well. So we have to stay with her until she falls asleep. Tonight, I sat outside the room and if this continues will gradually sit further and further away. Eventually I'd sit in my room etc etc

I think I'd try something like this though I don't have the overnight trouble so maybe someone with more experience of this can help. It's got be consistent though and gradual. I also wonder if you should have him in bed at 5am.

Poor you, this must be really hard, I hope you find a solution that works for you all.

I don't really have any advice but just wanted to sympathise with you. My ds who turns 2 on Sunday has turned into an absolute nightmare too during the night. Last night he screamed for almost an hour until I crawled into my dd's teeny bed (she was sleeping in our bed to escape the screaming) and slept in the same room as him. We put them in together thinking that it would help but no - just as bad.

Just deciding whether I can face another disturbed night and a looooong day at work tomorrow or just take him into bed with us.

Noone told me that the disturbed sleep phase could last so long.