Toddler sleep - not entirely negative!

[deepheat]

Hi all. Have posted sporadically on here about how our daughter, now just over 2 yrs, has basically not slept since birth (with the odd exceptional few days, but these happened over a year ago). Our lovely son arrived a few months ago and this obviously didn't help matters, with me and DW not able to share responsibility for DD at night anymore.

Anyway, we were going slightly mad. Mostly from telling ourselves 'we've managed it for two years so we can manage it now' over and over again. Things were getting slightly silly though, so decided to go and stay with the in-laws (God smiled on me by giving me nice in-laws) for the weekend in a not-really-convinced-it-will-work-but-hey-neither-has-anything-else attepmt to break the cycle. They agreed to deal with any wake-ups up to midnight-ish.

Friday night she woke at half nine but we think this was because we forgot to put her nightlight on. Saturday night she didn't wake. Not once. Sunday night we got home expecting a regression but she slept through (even cried out once but put herself back to sleep). Last night she did wake once for about 30 mins and I had to go up twice in that time but even this is progress.

Other things we did: She gets a sticker every time she goes to sleep 'quietly', i.e. chatting to herself is fine, but not calling out for Mummy and Daddy. Had to do this a few times before she worked out what the stickers were for.

If she sleeps through (or close enough) she gets a Smartie!

OK, we are lucky to have great in-laws nearby and I'm not fool enough to think that the sleepless nights have gone for good but it's more progress than we were expecting. Just thought I'd mention it because I know how hopeless people can feel about these things, i.e. hideously, weepingly, completely giving up hopeless, and in case it gave anyone an idea.

[Quenelle]

Stupid BlackBerry always double posts

[Quenelle]

Stupid BlackBerry always double posts

[Quenelle]

Hi deepheat. Thanks for posting your success story. I hope it lasts for you, and that DC2 is a better sleeper.

We're having trouble with 2yo DS at the moment. He has started making a real fuss if we leave him on his own at bedtime. If one of us stays with him though he won't fall asleep for at least an hour. He has also started waking during the night and screaming until one of us stays with him while he goes back to sleep. I think he sounds scared when he wakes so could be a separation anxiety thing.

Anyway, at the moment I'm thinking it's another phase and it will pass but will have to try a different tack if it continues. I like your sticker idea. Not sure if DS is old enough to understand though.

[Quenelle]

Hi deepheat. Thanks for posting your success story. I hope it lasts for you, and that DC2 is a better sleeper.

We're having trouble with 2yo DS at the moment. He has started making a real fuss if we leave him on his own at bedtime. If one of us stays with him though he won't fall asleep for at least an hour. He has also started waking during the night and screaming until one of us stays with him while he goes back to sleep. I think he sounds scared when he wakes so could be a separation anxiety thing.

Anyway, at the moment I'm thinking it's another phase and it will pass but will have to try a different tack if it continues. I like your sticker idea. Not sure if DS is old enough to understand though.