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Original poster

Wajking up and screaming as soon as we go to bed...

9 replies

Tallgirl · 28/12/2005 11:03

DD (15 months) who has been sleeping well for the last few months has started waking up just after we go to bed at night. It doesnt seem to matter what time we are in bed (last night 10.15!) she seems to wake about 10-20 mins after we have gone to bed. Starts crying and then calling out and generally awake. Has just had a big molar come through the other week but have tried Medised/Calpol etc but doesnt seem to work. Tried leaving her to cry but her screaming just gets louder. Tried going in every few mins (sort of CC) and then holding her until she is asleep (we were desperate!) and then putting her back down. Last night she was literally screaming in her sleep as she was asleep but still yelling. Took about 3 hours in the end. Feel exhausted of course and with DS (4) being rather painful during the day and her at night making for a great Christmas!! Any advice

Seems a bit weird (my DH thinks) that she always wakes as soon as we have gone to bed - any thoughts on that>?

THanks

OP posts:
Weatherwax · 28/12/2005 11:15

I'm afraid I don't have a solution to this but just wanted to say you are not alone. Both my DD's were like this and we crept around the house when we were getting ready for bed so we didn't disturb them, I now think this was a bad idea as its the absence of noise that seemed to set them off. Perhaps some gentle music playing in the background?

littledonkeyrach · 28/12/2005 11:17

DD2 has done this so many times.

It comes and goes in spurts, I htnk once it lasted a couple of months.

Not sure if it helps, but I now go to bed about 15 mins before DH, as he checks his amils last thing, and she hasn't woken since we've done that.
Could be coincidence.

tamba · 28/12/2005 11:20

My ds2 does this too. He is 21 months. 10 mins after we go to bed (doesnt even matter what time it is!) He is standing at the stair gate screaming. This has only been the last couple of months. It is driving me mad. You have my sympathy but I have no solution sorry.

Original poster
Tallgirl · 28/12/2005 11:26

Thanks for your suggestions. We do sometimes go to bed at differeint times but it doesnt start until we are both in bed. Not sure about the music thing as remember getting something from HV which said you shouldnt use music to get to sleep or anything like that (not that normally take notice of what they say!).

Tried sitting in the room and this seemed to calm her down a bit - when she started to cry I just said 'shhhh' or 'go back to sleep' this worked for a while and then she got fed up with it. She seems so awake - you will think she is about to drift off then she says 'mummy' or 'daddy' in really loud voice. soooo annoying!!

OP posts:
bakedpotato · 28/12/2005 11:29

the noise you make while going to bed flushing loos, passing her room etc might coincide with a light sleep phase
it will pass if you don't foster it by getting her up and switching on lights in her room etc
maybe try to keep bedtime noise down for a few weeks until sleep is well established again

Original poster
Tallgirl · 28/12/2005 11:35

Yes agree that could be the case but is taking 2-3 hours to get her to go back to sleep by which point she (and us) is semi-hysterical! she has sometimes woken occasionally at this time but simply picking her up and giving her a quick cuddle seemed to sort her out and she would be back to sleep straight away. I'm sure this has got in to a 'habit' - the only good thing is dont have to go to work at the moment. just have to go to sil today to see aged pils! with stroppy 'wobbly' (his words) 4 year old. Oh the joys of Christmas holidays!

OP posts:
Ragtaggle · 28/12/2005 19:58

We have been having this for months and it's driving us mad! Our daugher is 2 years and 2 months and has started to wake up two or three times a night shouting and screaming. It always starts fifteen or twenty minutes after we've gone to bed. Part of our problem is that we have a ten week old who we haven't wanted to wake so have rushed to her quickly and pandered a little to her demands.

After a vile christmas with her playing up yet again we have now decided that controlled crying is our only option. We started last night and refused to give in to any of her - sometimes delirious - requests (And last nights demands included more milk, more music and even medicine) It was a hellish night with three bouts of screaming from her but we stuck to our guns and on the last session she went back down after only one visit. Who knows what will happen tonight - all I know is that she was knackered today - but watch this space. Will let you know.

noddyholder · 28/12/2005 20:01

Try sleeping in the living room for a night to see if he sleeps right through This was the problem with our ds and we ended up staying in the living room til we moved to a 2 bed flat as he just wouldn't sleep with us in the room

cab · 28/12/2005 20:05

Could it be that you disturb her, then she realises she's got a wet nappy? I usually change dds nappy as I'm going to bed and then put on some music for her - ban all hvisitors!!!

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