Messed up sleep toddler 2.10

[ToughTimes]

Ok, so DS1 was pretty consistent. Going to bed 8-8.30pm until 7.10am (groclock!) with 1.5 hours nap from 1.20-3. It has been working very well for us so far. However, this week it has ALL GONE TO POT.

DH took DS1 into bed with him (we sleep in separate rooms as I am co-sleeping with 11 month old ds2) and since then DS1 is point-blank refusing to sleep at night. He cries and cries and cries, and says he wants Daddy. It has unfortunately coincided with a mild ear infection for him, which the doc gave antibiotics for, but he has had the ear infection for about a week now, and the sleep problems have only started since Thursday night. I have had to do bed times myself the last few nights, and he has literally cried for hours before falling asleep. My heart absolutely breaks for him, but I don't know what to do. Tonight I had to leave him crying in his cot whilst I tended to ds2 (who had both vomited and had diarrhoea) and he basically cried it out (unintentionally as i was bathing DS2). I don't know how much I can take, and I feel awful for leaving him crying. When I go to him, he basically says he doesn't want to sleep and wants to go downstairs. He has been crying till 10-10.30 pm on average.

Any advice? I was thinking of dropping his naps?

Anyone??

Hi OP watching with interest
As we have similar stresss with DD 2.8 DD I'm finding it so hard.
Have a DS six months too.
Will check back for wisdom in the morning!

You may find the ear infection,is the problem though.

Afraid I'm probably not much help but my dd who is 2yo 1m, had similar troubles earlier in the week. She's just getting over a cough and cold and was having a little trouble settling so DH sat with her while she went to sleep. The next night she went MENTAL at bedtime and in the end i put her dolly on with her, she settled almost straight away. I think, with her, the illness made her a bit more clingy and that she wanted extra comfort. Having a good wind down before bed helps too. We sit and read books with the lights low and if she does get upset i give her long cuddles and don't say anything and she soon gives up.

I do think it will pass, you just have to figure out what works for him.....which will be easy of course!!!! Good luck.

Just one other thought, could his bedtime all of a sudden be too late for him, perhaps he's more tired having been poorly? Maybe he's overtired and having trouble getting to sleep?