Anyone got any good ideas for my night waking 2.5 year old?

[maretta]

My ds is 2y7m and has never been the world's best night sleeper.

For some time now, he's been waking up several times a night - anywhere between none and five times but usually twice.

He wakes really suddenly and I think leaps out of bed before he's even awake. He then shouts 'muuum-mmeeee' in his special exorcist voice until I come to his room turn him round and pop him back into bed. I don't speak to him or cuddle him during this time and he usually gets into back into bed no problem at all.

We've tried not letting him sleep during the day but that's not made any diference.

Please can anyone help. I know I'm not getting up for long but it's interupting my sleep enough to make me feel rubbish the rest of the day.

(DS2 who is 18 weeks, sleeps right through no problem at all - it's all the wrong way round.)

Ugh, let me know if you find a solution to this one. I recognise all too well the plaintive, guilt-inducing cries of "Muummmmmeeeeee! Want a big hug Mummmmmeeee I love youuuu!" How can I not respond to that?

Night terrors? I would put up with it until he grows out of it, at least he goes back to sleep again, mine was awake most of the night on Sunday, screaming and crying is his speciality at 3am!

At least I'm not the only one.

I was hoping he would grow out of it but it seems to be taking a long time.

At least I'm not the only one.

I was hoping he would grow out of it but it seems to be taking a long time.

I have tried bribery with limited success. "If you can sleep really well tonight then x y z." It sounds mad, as you think they can't help how well they sleep, but in studies people have been shown to be able to sleep better and fall asleep quicker if offered an incentive. As long as you don't make them feel bad if they don't sleep well I think it's fine.

My other tactic is pure lies: My ds was getting a bit wound up about a) dropping off to sleep and b) possibly having bad dreams. I got out some glitter make up and told him it was magic sleepy dust which would help him sleep well with no bad dreams, then sprinkled some on the bed and put a dab on his head. He slept through 2 nights running after that one - unheard of in our house.

Good luck and they will grow out of it...one day...won't they?

Bribery was on my list of tactics to perhaps try. The glitter idea is good.