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Original poster

I need some help with DS 3.5yr sleeping.

42 replies

TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 27/07/2013 21:09

He has always been an awful sleeper, not sleeping through the night, not going to bed, waking up at stupid o'clock. We have worked on it in a variety of ways through the years, nothing seems to work, apart from time, slowly he has improved his sleeping but he doesn't like being on his own when he sleeps. Dd and he now share a room and for a while it was hard works but in time this settled. He often comes in with us about 5am but goes back to sleep immediately and it's hugely better than when he used to wake at 5am for the day.

Recently thorough is bedtime routine has been thrown fully. It's probably stemming from, or made worse by sleeping in the car. If he sleeps in the car for even 5 mins any time of the day, his night routine is buggered and e goes to sleep at 10pm! Or even later. But Now, even without a nap in the car his bedtime sleeping is absolutely fucked.

He laughs and plays and winds his sister up, gets up and talks to me, cries. This evening he tried the 'I am scared, I need you to sleep with me, I will have bad dreams!' number on me, obviously didnt wash but he kept it up. I had to get DD up as he was upsetting her.

He is now asleep, having cried himself to sleep. Like most evenings at 9pm. I am just so fed up now. I get no time to myself. DD is exhausted, she is an early riser, and despite not going to sleep last night til 9.30pm due to her brother playing up, she was up at 6am. She is just 7 so needs more sleep! And did I mention no time to myself? None. I am so fucking tired as I don't sleep well any more (combination of pain due to back problem and 3 years of a boy who wakes me up at night). I wanted to sit quietly and drink a glass of wine and watch a film but I am too tired now. Have my wine but not enjoying it.

I just want to go away for a couple of days and get away from the constant harrowing bedtime routine which starts at 7pm and goes on for two hours or more.

Any suggestions?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 27/07/2013 21:11

Oh and re going to sleep crying after saying he will have bad dreams, I am not a mean mummy, I went in, gave him a kiss and cuddle, told him I am just next door and there is nothing to be afraid of, then left immediately. Only went in once though.

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wouldyoupleasemove · 27/07/2013 22:11

Sympathy. We had the same with our DD and it was doing our head in. A second of a sleep and she was up til 10. Bedtime was two hours or more of agro and we had a newborn. Following recommendation on MN I bought a sleep cd of amazon. Its called Sleep sleep child. Very gentle hypnosis wrapped up in a story. If anything a bit old for my DD, 3. My DH was a bit sceptical but it is the best 12.50 I have ever spent. She asks for it now, put it on and walk out after a kiss. Down with out a cry or scream the majority of nights....
Truly brilliant

Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 28/07/2013 07:25

D you know, DS loves music! And sometimes he has fallen asleep with music. Why didnt I think if that before as part of his routine? I even do it sometimes, but as a 'treat' as it involves the iPad! I don't have a CD player as we us the computer/devices and speakers for music, but I will look into buying a cheap one or an MP3 player and some speakers for their room. They will both love this and it just might work.

Thank you!

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Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 28/07/2013 07:26

My Dh will also be sceptical, but then, he is about most things that involve spending money Wink

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wouldyoupleasemove · 28/07/2013 09:06

Ha ha. Well my DH is eating his words now. Sometimes after he leaves DD room after putting on the CD with just a goodnite kiss he says he would quite happily snog the 'lady' ( which is what my DD calls her). We listened to a little bit with her to start reducing the time we stayed in room although one time I fell asleep tooGrin . I think my DD couldnt lull herself in a place to sleep.
We Dont talk to.her once CD is on other to say goodnite. Shes a very high energy child and got more so at the end of day with overtiredness. Best of luck

wouldyoupleasemove · 28/07/2013 09:08

sorry for mistakes. I phone. Its callef Sleep sleep sleep now by Anna Rowe

BeesGoBuzzzzzz · 28/07/2013 09:12

Hi, I feel your pain, I found story CDs worked well, just got some long ones that could be put on a loop.

You could probably get a CD player for a couple of quid at a car boot since so many people have ditched theirs.

Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 29/07/2013 10:51

OK, I have just bought that cd from iTunes for £7.99 and going to get a CD player today. I so hope it works. I was pulling my hair out over the weekend Grin

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Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 29/07/2013 21:07

I am reporting back.

The kids bedtime routine was a bit frought non existant as I had an important phone call right at bedtime. I heard DH chasing the children around the house trying to get them into bed just before 8pm as I finish my call.

8:26pm and I was drinking wine, on my own, in Utter Peace. With two fast asleep children in their own bed before the first story was even finished. Honestly, not even kidding about this, DS screamed that he didn't want it on, he wanted music, but the woman reading the story says something like 'now, get into your bed, snuggle down, and close your eyes because it's time to go to sleep' and my children immediately scampered and lay there, still as you like, listening! DD was pretty much asleep instantly as she was exhausted from too many disturbed nights and a busy day out with a friend. Literally instantly. DS was awake, holding his trains in his hands, playing gently with them while listening, but not moving other than his hands. I kissed them both, left the room, chatted with DH before he headed out for the evening, poured myself a glass of wine, checked on the children as DH left, and DS was asleep.

It is now 9.05pm and I am in bed myself! But, I don't have a stress headache. I don't have that tense throbbing in my ears and head from a drought 2 hours of bedtime. I feel bloody exhausted as DS was up lots last night, but, I am bloody impressed. I cannot remember the last time they have both gone to sleep without some attempt at staying up 'the light is too bright, it's too dark, i am thirsty, hungry, DD is keeping me awake, DS is keeping me awake, i need a wee, i need a poo, i need a cuddle, i am scared, will you sleep with me, i don't like the dark...' this is normally mostly DS. NONE of that. Not one. After the protest of not wanting it on, no words after the narrator starting talking. Not One!

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wouldyoupleasemove · 29/07/2013 21:17

I am utterly thrilledGrin Grin
It is amazing. Sleep well tonight Xxx

Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 29/07/2013 21:19

I think I might need it myself now. I am not used to going to bed without feeling cross Grin

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Clarella · 29/07/2013 21:26

aw its so nice to read a sleep thread with a happy ending!

Grin
wouldyoupleasemove · 29/07/2013 21:34

Ha ha. 'Snuggle Down into your bed The Sun..., so cosy and warm'

Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 29/07/2013 21:35

clarella it's a rare thing isn't it? A sleep thread with a positive, and quite immediate outcome. I have to remain slightly sceptical, as otherwise, if they don't go to bed tomorrow I shall crumble! I shall take this for what it is today, which is a rare treat to some real bedtime compliance, and if it happens again fab, but if not, least I got a night off...

but, I'm still blown away by it.

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Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 29/07/2013 21:37

wouldyou Grin I would be asleep, but just remembered by contacts are still in, so i am doing that waiting that you do, knowing that all you are doing is putting of the inevitable of having to get up again...

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wouldyoupleasemove · 29/07/2013 21:48

5/7 nights it works I reckon. When it doesn't it is usually because of some outside issue (eg. a party and cake or similar). Report back tomorrow nite please The Sun..

Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 30/07/2013 06:55

Get this. It is 6.52am. DD is still asleep. In The Same Position she went to sleep in. Not a peep. DS got up about 6:15am, into our bed. Back To Sleep. They are both asleep! I was expecting them both to be up around now at the very latest after going to bed almost on time! (They wer only out by about half hour and only because I was on the phone).

It's a miracle!

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Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 30/07/2013 07:07

Just heard a sleepy yawn from DDs bedroom. Nothing elsew yet! i shall expect a sticky up haired dozy girl any second.

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mamij · 30/07/2013 07:08

Amazing! Glad the CD works for you! I may need to get one for myself as DD1 (3.5 years) always calls one of us in the middle of the night to go to her.

wouldyoupleasemove · 30/07/2013 07:11

Sleep breeds sleep especially in the overtime. Rubbish nite here as our DD wet the bed for the first time ever.......
Fingers crossed for tonight OP

wouldyoupleasemove · 30/07/2013 07:11

over tired I meant

Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 30/07/2013 07:22

That's been the prob wouldypu that vicious circle of them being so tired they can't easily sleep and the more tired, the more they wake in the night and the earlier they wake. I am hoping at the very least this breaks the cycle.

mamij definitely try it. Simply amazing. Both children are STILl asleep. It is possible tht Dh has put his iPhone on for ds upstairs, but Dh needs to get up now too so they must all be asleep!

I am going to put breakfast things out and put a fresh coffee on for Dh and then wake him up.

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Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 30/07/2013 07:24

wouldyou do you know why she wet the bed? Could she be coming down with something. Both my children have done that just as they are getting a bug. Dd has done this in the last year, followed by a stinking bug. Just a thought.

Hope you have a relaxing day today to make up for it.

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Original poster
TheSunTheMoonTheTruth · 30/07/2013 07:25

And, to add, they never ever wet the bed normally. So when they do, I pretty much know they are abut to get sick.

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wouldyoupleasemove · 30/07/2013 13:44

She may be coming down.with something. I am on pox watch.as her best friend had it. She loves drinking bath water and drank loads last night and milk etc. Normally she wakes for a wee but could have just not once...