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Horrible night last night and I just didnt know what to do

1 reply

LittleWhiteWolf · 21/05/2011 06:32

DD (22 months) is usually a wonderful sleeper and napper during the day. Lately she's been waking earlier, but thats not much of an issue. Last night was a nightmare though. She refused to stay in bed after her story at 7 and kept getting up and after a while she did something she's never done before: she started screaming for me and really crying so hard I'm sure she almost made herself sick. She would quieten once we were in the room but scream again once we left. The trouble was that she would get up as soon as we left as well so there was no way she was getting to sleep that way. In the end I stayed in the room with her, sat on the floor but not looking at her. Eventually she went to sleep but the whole thing lasted 3 hours from 7-10.

Then she woke again at 1:30, which isn't unusual as she often loses her dummy and just needs it replacing for her and then goes back to sleep, but last night she started the screaming again. I was too knackered to stay in with her (although DH offered) and I was scared she'd wake up screaming again even after doing this and we'd have to do it again so I just brought her into our bed where she slept soundly (of course).

Now she's woken at 5:30 and that's it. She and I are up (although I'm not sure I'm awake).

I know I went wrong somewhere and I want to set things right and get her back on track--she can't do this often or it'll be no good for any of us. I'm already worrying about giving her an extra nap this morning as usually she wakes at 7 and goes until 1-2 before needing a nap, but I can't expect her to go from 5:30 til 2!

Does anyone have any advice on how to help her settle again? Or is this a case of staying in her room just so we're there and she knows it, but not interacting? Thanks for reading if you've got this far and any tips are greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
Iggly · 21/05/2011 06:38

It could be teething (molars) or separation anxiety. Stay with her until she falls asleep - it's the quickest way it'll pass. You can put your hand on her or just sit in the room, whatever works then try leaving after a few days etc (I find grad withdrawal doesn't work - I have to go from sitting there to leaving and saying night night).

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