My dd is just 2. She has nver been a great sleeper, but I was happy just to get on with things and deal with it. However, I am now 26 weeks pregnant with twins (!) and coping at night time is praying on my mind. Not sure how I am going to cope with a waking toddler as well as two babies. Also, I do not want dd to associate less attention from me at night (as dh will realistically have to deal with her if I am feeding two babies) with the arrival of the babies. Hence this post and looking for possible things I can do to improve things sooner rather than later.
DD goes to bed at 7pm after milk. She nearly always goes to bed fairly easily and is a sleep within 10 - 15 minutes. However, I do stay with her until she is asleep. I sit on the floor next to the bed - I don't talk to her and don't put my hand on her or anything, unless she does get upset - but thats not usual.
She is then usually asleep until around 1am when she wakes up and calls for me (does not usually cry). I go in (don't talk / put hand on her etc unless she is upset which she usually isnt) and lie her back down and put her covers back over her - she is then fast asleep again and I am back in bed within about 2 minutes. On a good night this happens twice - never exactly the same time but usually midnight/1am ish and then again 2 hours later I reckon.
If she is anything lesee than 100% then she will wake up more and may take longer to settle - but still only 5 - 10 minutes. I usually have a week of 'good nights' (ie only two wakings) but then she always seems to have a bit of a cough or cold or teething which means the number increases again, but then goes back to twice - even once if I am really lucky!
She has never slept through. She does not nap in the day. I have never even thought about any 'sleep training' techniques so dont have the first clue.
She sleeps in a bed which she loves.
She is going through a bit of a clingy stage, but this sleep issue has always been with us so don't think that is much of a factor.
If I did not have twins on the way I dont think I would be too bothered, but as it is I think I need to at least consider options to try and improve things.
Has anyone else got a similar toddler or any advice / suggestions? Is my dd particularly 'difficult' at night or is this the usual? I really don't know!
Sorry for long post, I hope I have explained the situation well enough.