Looking for a sleep clinic - any recommendations?

[supersonic]

my DD is 2yr and 9 mths and has never slept through the night - I am totally exhausted and am considering the sleep clinic idea as it has been mentioned a few times. Does anyone know of a clinic in the hertfordshire area they can recommend or even London. My DD cannot fall sleep on her own (my fault I know) - if she wakes in the night in I go and wait with her until she falls asleep - and as I am so tired I have made a bed up on her bedroom floor on which I sleep. The other thing is she doesn't stop talking - this morning she was awake from 4.30am and she was talking and even went downstairs at 5.45 - obviously I want her to sleep for her sake and mine - the thing is is whilst she's talking I have to be in the same room as her or all hell lets loose. By the way she went to nursery and eventually fell asleep at 1.30pm. Any advice greatly appreciated - I NEED HELP!!!!!!

Supersonic, I have every sympathy with you as this is exactly the same as my ds. He is 2yr and 4 mths and has never had a full night sleep. Has to fall asleep in our bed with myself and DH, round about 10 pm, then I move him and about 2 hours later I get the "mummy mummy" call and have to get into bed with him for the rest of the night. I have now moved him into another bedroom with a double bed in it which is slightly better as gives me more room. DH gets a great night sleep though on his own!! Like you say, you realise it is all your own fault, just as I do, but that doesn't help when people tell you that does it?

Thanks for replying its nice to know your not alone sometimes. Have you decided what to do about it? I have been to the HV and she says I am to try CC but I'm sure I'll give in and my dd knows this - she is a very strong character and knows just how to play me. At the moment her bedroom is being decorated so she is in a double bed in the spare room - this is a god send for me - though last night she insisted on near enough laying on top of me. Is ds/dd in a bed ro cot? a friend of mine suggested using phenergan as a short term solution as it may get her into some kind of pattern - this hasn't worked and I don't want to keep pumping her full of medicine. I have found out about a clinic called Millpond and have mailed them so will see what they come up with.

I've also posted a message asking about sleep clinics, but no one has any suggetsions. I know there are clinics called 'Tresilian' in Australia!

Ask your HV specifically for a sleep clinic - she will know of one - there was one at a local health centre which I went to when ds was a baby. But I strongly suspect they will talk about strict routines and then cc, which really doesn't have to be as grim as you anticipate. Honestly. Possibly you could also try a star chart if your child is old enough to understand. What is her daily/bedtime/time of getting up routine like? God, I feel for you. It sounds grim and I don't know how you cope. You must be saints. If my toddler stayed up until 10pm, I'd leave home - straight to the nearest loony bin, probably.

I agree with aloha, your hv should be able to recommend somewhere. I did have the details for one based in London but that also do phone consultations but can't find the details to pass on. I will have a good scout around and get back to you if I find it. I think they were pretty pricey but were prepared to do all sorts of slow payment deals etc. They're also meant to be REALLY good, I have 3 friends at the ends of their tethers whose kids were totally turned around by their advice. Have you done a general google search?

God you poor woman, I've been there and I know how wrecked you feel, sympathies to you, (Why do they do it when we give them so much?)
Try this woman based in North London. She's great
(if ds2 6 months doesn't get his act together soon (up 5 times last nigh but has snuffley cold) I'm calling her in again.
She really can help you see a light at the end of the tunnel
her name is Andrea Grace and her number is at the bottom of the page
Good luck and heartfelt sympathy
xxx

I've found one called 'Millpond' based in London (via google) and they do phone/email consultations but I don't know much about them yet.

I have always had problem with my dd's sleep the main proble was that she refused to sleep without myself or my partner being with her and even then she'd think it was play time. I was introduced to Millpond by a very good friend, can't remember exactly how much they charged, but my partner and I came to the conclsion that it was a little expensive for our meagre pockets. So I scouted around for books giving advice on sleep training (far cheaper option and sleep training is basically what the clinic would do) When our DD turned one we set about sleep training her, it took about four or five nights of very little sleep, but we were strict in our plan. My point here is that it can be done without the involvement of an expensive clinic, you just need three things, that's knowhow, the will to suceed and perseverance!

Whatever you decide, good luck!!!

Sorry its taken me so long, but thank you very much for your advice. I contacted Millpond, they are very friendly and helpful and i am tempted to use them but the fee is £145 (this is having telephone consultation not a visit)they give you a questionnaire to complate and ask you to do a diary for 1 week and send this to them they then make an appt for you - at this point you need to apy the fee. Then they devise a sleep plan and you get to call them whenever necessary but do have another consultation after the first week. it sounds good nut perhaps your right it is an expensive way of doing it, Ithink its the fact you ahve support from an outsider that is appealing. I am going to call Andrea as suggested,thank you very very muchx

supersonic, Millpond was the place I was thinking of. I know they are pricey but I have 2 friends whose lives were completely turned around with their help and I believe their 'after care' services are meant to be really good.