So do I go the whole hog tonight or do it gradually

[missnevermind]

DS is 2.4 I have finally decided enough is enough and tonight have sent him to bed tired but awake. Instead of waiting for him to fall asleep on my lap as usual and then carrying him up.

Fingers crossed - it went quite well. We read drank milk did a bit of shushing and patting and I didn't leave until he was asleep.

He sleeps in a cot with the side off in my bedroom, so it is like a little toddler bed with a soft safety side that you click up and down but he can get out when he is ready in the mornings. There is nowhere else for him to sleep. This is not a problem.
Sometimes - most times - he wakes in the early hours about 4 or 5 o'clock and just climbs into bed with us. This does not disturb me and he does not want anything. He just gets in and goes to sleep. Eventually I want this to stop.
Do I tackle it all in one go? Or wait until I have cracked the going to bed part first?

i would wait,.

tbh ds2 always did this with us and he just stopped of his own accord when he started sleeping through, so if it isn't bothering you then i'd jhust wait (but then i am quite lazy like that!)

I am quite lazy. which is why we are where we are now.

I am also pg and the baby is due end of July. We will be co sleeping so I will be very nervous about having a toddler in the bed too.
Plus it's only a double and I don't think four of us will fit anyway.
But you are right. When he does sleep through it is not a problem. As he does sometimes - but not often yet.

i would suggest getting DC1 out and independent as soon as possible, so that he doesn't connect not being able to get into bed with the baby. he will to a certain extent anyway, but the longer the gap the better.
I have a standard double and am defo getting a bigger bed asap. the look on poor DS1, 3.5, when he wants to get in for a cuddle in the morning and there is no room cos DS2 7mo is dozing happily having had an early morning feed... i or DP have been known to go get into SA1 bed so that there is room for him in the family bed to stop him feeling left out.

Hi Bumper, thanks for the reply.

He is actually DC3. We live in a 2 bed house, DC's 1 and 2 share the other room they are 10 and 13.
He will be going in with them shortly, as soon as I have the sending him to bed side of it cracked. Feeling a bit guilty as well I suppose as DC2 was able to get in with us until he was 4 - but he never slept through until he started school.

Well tonight's bedtime went beautifully. He sat on DH lap and had milk and as soon as he looked a little dopey DH asked him if he wanted to go to bed with his books - and he said yes!
Took about 10 - 15 mins until he was asleep. It was a revelation. I came down and drank tea with no sweaty 2 yo on my lap.
If he is tired enough sometimes he sleeps through. I am hoping tonight is one of those nights.
I am also hoping that by going to sleep by himself at the begining of the night will teach him how to do it when he wakes later.