DS2 will be two this week and we're knackered!

[bethylou]

DS2 has had difficulties with sleep apnoea until recently and now with (possible) food intolerances which give him tummy ache in the night (and day). This makes it very hard to just leave him to it as it is hard to know when he is in pain or is just after reassurance. He even says, "Want sick bowl now Mummy!" and then laughs at us when we jump up (but he has been sick 17 times in the last month so it's hard to judge!!) Often he wakes, we check on him and he then stays awake in his cot talking and singing to himself for two hours. He doesn't seem to want our company or reassurance then, but is just awake. I'm not ready to turn the monitor off yet (following the sleep apnoea stuff) but we desperately need some sleep. I do remember DS1 going through something similar and can't for the life of me remember how we stopped it, or if he just grew out of it. Any suggestions gladly received! (and I've read the thread further down but this has beeng going on since at least September, so I don't think it is to do with a developmental leap - although he is making them daily at this stage!)

have you had any help with this from the hospital?

DS (2.4) only really sleeps well if he gets out and runs around in fresh air for an hour! Luckily he loves the outdoors which makes it easier! Also his nap has to be no more than 2 hours. We did find that teething of molars made him wake up a bit too.

Randomly last night he slept through for the first time without calpol. We made him resettle during the evening without us speaking-he often wakes for a burp 3-4 times before we even go to bed. We are waiting to be seen by the regional gastric paediatric team. I also put three dummies into his cot so that he could find one easily. I hope to get rid of it soon but it does help with the reflux, so hanging on a bit longer. I also reprogrammed the heating to stay off during the night as the boiler is in his room and may not be helping. Of course, ds1's been up since 3am coughing so still very tired!

Mmm, big hugs for the tiredness you must feel. I am sorry.

Not sure how useful it is to offer the usual advice when there are obvious health problems which you're waiting to sort out. I guess in support of what Iggly says, just keep to a regular routine, make sure his nap is right for his age (I'm not so lucky to get a 2 hour break, my LO dropped her nap at 2, so be aware of the huge differences in daytime sleep needs at this age - IMO, often the cause of nightwaking/early morning waking in toddlers), regular exercise when possible.

It sounds like he's very good at settling himself which is great. Sorry not to be of more help, hopefully someone who has experience of these problems will be along soon... :)

Thanks all. He does still sleep for about 2 hours after lunch but is always tired by bedtime at 7ish. It doesn't really seem to affect him whether he's had a busy day with an hour's run at the park, or a quieter day at home-probably ad he runs about inside anyway! He has always self-settled at bedtime which is why I'm a bit stumped. I think we'll try and give him more time to resettle himself when we don't think he's going to be sick. Maybe I just need to turn the monitor down when he's in a chatty mood in the nigjt!

That's probably a good idea. My LO talks to herself a lot in the night, but whenever we go in, she's asleep. It took me ages to have the confidence to turn the volume down a bit, but it makes a huge difference. And we know that if she is crying or shouting, we'll still hear her.

Can you be really quick and boring if you do need to sort him put? So no big fussing etc then hopefully he'll only call you if necessary?

We are quite matter of fact and not cuddly, though we then feel mean when he's sick two hours later! It's tricky on nights when he's clearly in pain as it's then just a question of waiting it out and giving some comfort.