DS is usually a great sleeper, though has always been prone to periods of waking that doesn't seem to be illness or teething related. He's not a particularly anxious little boy and mainly takes things in his stride. But my DH has always suffered with night terrors (he actually acts out his dreams, which is pretty scary sometimes) and i don't know if this is hereditary and might be responsible for some of these episodes.
We converted his cot to a bed after Christmas and he's taken to it really well on the whole. He goes to bed without a fuss and is asleep within 15 minutes most nights. But he's begun waking earlier than usual and crying, which is unusual for him. I heard him cry at 5am today, went into his room and he was walking around looking disorientated, trying to open the wardrobe. I assume he thought it was the door. I had noticed that his feet were freezing cold, so maybe he woke due to cold (he has a duvet but often kicks it off and is never awake enough to pull it back over himself). I gave him a cuddle, put him back to bed with his teddies and he went back to sleep, until 6.45am. He doesn't normally wake until closer to 7.30/8am.
I think he's probably more unsettled recently because of the excitement of Christmas as well and change in routine with both DH and I around all day every day for a week, but have also heard that 2 year olds can go through a kind of regression that might be linked to their growing awareness, imagination and independence. I also know that bed transition can cause problems like this but was wondering if anyone else has experience of this and knows how long it might last. Likewise, if anyone has any knowledge or advice on nightmares and night terrors i would like to hear it, particularly if it's thought to be hereditary. He can open doors now and so we keep the gate at the top of the stairs closed at night in case he goes wandering and is disorientated. I know i'm doing right by responding to him, comforting him and helping him back to bed but now i'm back at work again i'd like some reassurance that the sleep deprivation won't last forever!