1yo waking twice a night and up at 5.30am. Any ideas?!

[Novia]

Our DD has generally slept okay and for a while was pretty consistently sleeping through the night. However, she had chicken pox/was teething a few weeks ago and since then it's almost as if she has forgotten to self settle.

As soon as she realises that she's on her own she stands up, holds onto the cot bars and cries until someone comes. She's absolutely shattered and cries when you lie her back down - but will settle so long as you stay and keep your hand on her until she's asleep again. If she hears you leaving before she's fully asleep then you have to repeat the process as she's standing back up again.

I'm back at work now (for the last 2 months) and DH and I are struggling with the constantly disturbed sleep (it's like clockwork - 11.45pm and 2.30am). We have done the settle, leave the room for a while, return if she gets upset, resettle, etc and she did have a week or so when she stopped getting up and got herself back to sleep - but that seems to have 'worn off'.

I'm not sure if anyone has any experience, suggestions (though don't want to co-sleep, CIO) or advice? Thanks in advance.

Anyone?

She's been inconsolable for nearly 2 hrs. At the end of our tether. Far worse than when she was a newborn.

I can't offer any helpful advice, but can sympathise. And offer a hand hold.

Our 14mnth ds has been doing the same since we've moved to our new home 5 months ago. It's hell. DP works away most of the month and its a struggle on so little and such broken sleep.
I agree it's like his ability to self settle has disappeared. He used to sleep through not a problem.
We've no idea what makes it ongoing, it's worse when he's teething but still happens every night when he's not.

Thanks Zatch - it just sucks doesn't it? Feels like you're going backwards and you can't imagine a time when it's normal.

A friend just recommended a banana an hour before bedtime - apparently it worked for her DS. Going to give DD one tonight. (Though frankly I'd try voodoo if I thought it might work...)

I feel your pain - twice over as my 14mo twins are going doolally at the moment.

DTS was awake from 9 until 1am and then up at 6. DTD was also up repeatedly (although not as bad as her brother).

Hello, no advice, but just to sympathise.

I'm on my own with a 1 year old who wakes at least twice a night and will only go back to sleep if I touch him through the cot or rub his back. I lie on the floor in his room, don't make any eye contact, and creep out when I think he's asleep. Sometimes it takes up to 20 minutes.

I'm back at work too and exhausted. Ever since my DS has been with a childminder (since January) it has been non stop colds and teething and any smidgeon of a routine we had before then has gone out the window.

I try so hard to stick to a 'plan' but sometimes I'm so exhausted he ends up in my bed (which means I don't sleep).

My 14 month old is also up twice a night and starts day far too early. His wake up times are less predictable, but I have heard that if you know when they will wake, set your alarm 10 mins before then and gently rouse them at the earlier time. Not enough to completely wake them, but to disturb their sleep cycle and break the pattern of waking. I think you have to do for 5 nights ish.

Same here - it's to bed at 6.30pm with clockwork wakeup at 11.00, 2.00 and up for the day at 5.30 (although sometimes I can eek out an extra hour in the morning if I lay fown with him. But it's all gotten worse the past several nights, with additional wakeups AT EVERY HOUR. I'm going crazy with exhaustion.

Does anyone still BF at night or have you all night-weened?

*lay down

I'm with u. 15 month old has been up since 2 and will get up for the day at 6am. I am so tired. He settles quite well at bedtime but is awake every night for a couple of hours sometime after midnight. Nothing I try will get him to go back to sleep any quicker but I need some proper sleep.

Feeling your pain guys, for the record - banana doesn't work! Up at 11pm, 2am and has now been awake since 4am. :(

Aaaaah I feel your pain. My lo is 16 months, and has never been a great sleeper, but at the minute he's terrible. Just so random and there seems to be no rhyme or reason! Some nights he will settle back to sleep by just being tucked back in, other nights it's a drink of water and cuddles till he nods back of, other nights I give up and bring him into my bed where he will sleep happily and I hardly get a wink! Then other lovely beautiful nights once in a blue moon he sleeps right through SO I KNOW HE CAN DO IT!! I don't think anyone else understands the frustration unless they are in the same boat - ppl expect it of a new born but not older babies. All my friends seem to have lovely little sleepers (I'm convinced they think I do something wrong - although this may be in my sleep deprived head) and I am very jealous. I'm just hoping he will eventually grow out of it by himself at some point, as controlled crying just didn't work for us at all. Fingers crossed! Sorry I am no help at all, just wanted you to know you are not alone!!

Does she go to sleep on her own?

Same here!!

Dd 10 m, was doing a heavenly 6:30 - 6:00am then teething and tummy bug. everything has gone to pot.

Waking up crying like a maniac . Last night she woke every hour

Toooooo tired to try and implement a strategy . Bad times!

Ah do t get me started on " oh my dc slept through from the day we brought her home "" ODFOD!