Which sleep consultant for a 2 year old?

[Nosleeptillgodknowswhen]

I give up. He's almost 2 (Jan) FFS. 1/3 time he's awake for 2 hours during the night, 1/3 time he sleeps through but is up at 5 (and now just screams from waking if he wake early) and 1/3 time he sleeps fine till 6ish. He goes to sleep like a dream at nap and bedtime (7.15) but has always been a nightmare in the night/early waker.

Gradual retreat would just have me sitting in his room for the whole 2 hours and feels like a backward step as at the moment I'm not with him when he falls asleep (but maybe it would be a way out of our hole?). CC we have used at least 3 times to get improvements over the years but now he just gets too overworked and going in just makes him worse.

I don't know what to do - just know I'm sick of the whole damn thing.

I so feel your pain. My ds is 2 in march and is a shit sleeper. We co sleep so I at least don't have to get up to go to him but he wakes at least five times a night. My dh is working away this week so I am managing it alone. I am constantly short tempered and feel ill and drained constantly.

To say I'm shattered is sn understatement. We want to try for another but I need to get ds sleep sorted as I wouldnt cope being pg with no sleep.

Sorry for rambling. I have no answers but will watch with interest.

Good luck and I hope things get easier for you.

Thanks piggy. I dare say that if DS wasn't DC3 he would be he only DC! It must be really tough dealing with this and pregnancy. Hope your week is going ok.

Anyone?

I feel your pain too. DS is nearly 2 and still wakes at least once in the night. All he ever wanted was milk, so in the end (after trying water, nothing, cc etc) we gave in and now when he wakes up he has a bottle and we all go back to sleep. Not ideal by any means but much better than sitting up for hours until he either exhausts himself, or I'm so exhausted that I give in to the milk anyway. Especially as I am currently 23 weeks pregnant.

I have a friend who had good results using Millpond when her 15 month old was still waking every 3 hours in the night, so they might be worth a look.

Can he tell you what he wants when he's awake for 2 hours? Or is it just random yelling?

We used millpond for dd1. They were great. Considering using them for Good luck.

Thanks for the feedback.

Seeker - he's not that understandable yet. Normally it's just crying, or 'mummy out'. Or the other night, just as DH said 'he wants his mum', "daddy out" . He's done this since birth tho - he would never feed back to sleep like the first 2 and if i sh/patted i was just there for the whole 2 hours with him quiet but awake.

I have the millpond book which seems very sensible, but hasn't cracked it. But i do think that to get an end, rather than just a temporary improvement, i do need to chat through the options with someone and have some backup.

Moomachine - do you know what they suggested for your friend?

reading with interest as also have a chronic EWer.

Can I ask what your daytime routine looks like? How much day sleep is he getting? Has he got his molars yet?

You could get some free advice from Millpond here. Maybe ask some questions and see if tehy can help? x

nicola watson is fantastic. Good luck!

Omama - his daytime routine is uo anytime between 5.30 and 7 depending on if he's been awake in the night or not. Breakfast about 7 (but he doesn't really eat breakfast), lunch about 12, nap usually from about 12.30 either until he wakes or school run (normally about 2 hours, although last 3 days has woken after about an hour only), tea at 5, bath about 6.30, sometimes a snack just before bed in case that helps, bed about 7. If he's been awake nearer to 5 he might have a cat nap in the car if we are out in it in the morning. Think he still has one molar to get.

Thanks bippy and aloha for the links. I hadn't heard of nicola watson so will have a look at her.

I don't know all the details of my friends consultation. It's slightly different to your situation as she hadn't tried anything. I think she started off with gradual withdrawal and then decided to try CC.

I do know that they gave her a lot of support along the way and that when things weren't working they gave other options to try. The upshot being that her daughter went from waking every 2-3 hours in the night to sleeping until around 5am after 2-3 weeks. A much better situation, if not quite perfect.

Thanks moomachine - nice to have a bit of insight into someone's experience. I notice millpond have a sale on. I think i will keep a sleep diary for a few days to get some data and then go for it.

Ok Guys..I have the answer!!
www.sleepingstars.co.uk

we used her for our 1 year old who was fed, rocked or taken in bed to sleep!
Within 2 weeks we had her sleeping in her own cot, put down awake and no more feeding in the night.
She lives in Hampshire but does travel. We paid her travelling because we lived so far away but it was worth EVERY PENNY!!
My marriage was in dire straights and I was thinking I was depressed ( as did my doc) . Both me and my baby were seriously sleep deprived.
Everything is explained and written down , she is on hand whenever to talk and change things as they develop. There are no massive periods of cc , its all very gentle. we paid the extra for her to stay and help us the first night. Amazing person and so lovely with it!!
Its the best thing we ever did!!

Hi, I can help if you're still look for advice. I've had a lot of success with babies and toddlers and personal experience with my twins. I cover anywhere in the country as all the advice is by phone and email. See my site www.loveyoursleep.co.uk.
Very best of luck whatever you decide,
Joanna Hogan
The baby and toddler sleep consultant

Just an idea, but it may be worth reading the 'No Cry Sleep Solution' for Toddlers. Lots of ideas for parents of different approaches/philosophies and it is very good for older babies and toddlers. Also covers things like night terrors, tooth grinding and other less well-known issues.