Toughies - over here please

[LittleMilla]

DS is 20 mo and his sleep is going to pot. Read a few other people having issues at this age but most people are softer than we are - only tough love really works on our DS! And that really isn't meant to sound harsh!

He's switching between waking in the night (4.30am) the other night to really bloody early 5:45am today. I'm 16 weeks pg, back at work full time and simply cannot entertain this.

He only naps for an hour a day as we managed to work at that this was his best amount - too much and it'd affect night and too little would render him overtired.

So I'm asking the advice of tough parents, what have you done to get through this? I am obviously not against cuddles etc, but I'm a firm believer he should stay in his room. Or is this simply a phase that will pass of its own accord without any intervention?

Pre this blip he was happily sleeping 7:30pm - 7am ish every night without problems. We've had early waking problems with him in the past and so this terrifies me as it went on for months.

Oh, got a gro clock a while ago and wondered if now if the time to introduce it?

Bump.

Just keep putting him back into his own bed and insist it's not time to get up yet.

Check for the obvious things like too hot or too cold (easy to overlook with fluctuating weather at the moment).

Had the getting up episode with DS1 and DS2, they both needed the 'it's too early' re-enforcement for a week or so. Both tried it on intermittently until they were about 3 if memory serves correctly. Exhausting taking them back (especially pregnant) but essential for none grumpy, well rested children long term.

Sorry, no miracle cure

Thanks ankle.

My resolve has been weakening and I've been letting him come in to bed after a few attempts simply because I want to doze...there's never any chance of him actually sleeping in our bed!

MUST. STAY. STRONG.

You're welcome Milla. Easy to lose resolve and with 4Dc's I have SO been there with the 'just...need...sleep' feeling at 4am.

Chin up chick..always remember that you have had more practice at stubborn than him-use it!

Thinking about it, this behaviour is tying in with him being harder to put down at night too. Usually involves me having to go in once or twice to resettle.

Early night for me I think! Want to be on fighting form for tomorrow's battle as dh is away

What about a Groclock? You set it so the sun comes up at a pre-arramged time, with just stars showing before that. When putting back in the night "still bedtime, no sun yet", and in tge morning "yay! the sun is up, look!"

We got one a few months back but it seemed so bright. And then ds settled back down again so I put it away.

He does talk about the "shun" so wonder if it might be worth trying again. Going to see how tonight goes then maybe do it tomorrow if he's bad again.

...I'm already starting to hope that tomorrow will be different. I'm so silly!

Is he having any wakings around 10-11pm too? At similar age i cut my ds's nap down to 1hr as we were getting long settling periods at bedtime, initially seemed to work great, then he started waking at 10-11pm ish, crying for a few mins then back to sleep, & would then be unsettled with lots of wakings from 4-6am & he'd wake early too. Turns out he was actually overtired, & a longer nap plus slightly later bedtime (so 1-3pm nap & 8pm bedtime instead of 1-2pm nap & 7.30pm bedtime) gave us a much happier child & a longer night. I think sleep needs do drop at around 18 months but ime they go back up as they approach 2yrs. IIWY I'd try reinstating the nap for a few days & see if it helps. I would also try the groclock idea too.x