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Toddler waking constantly

4 replies

BertramTheWalrus · 10/08/2017 13:06

DS1 is 2y8m and has had spells of sleeping through in the last year, but mostly he'd wake once or twice for reassurance and go back to sleep on his own, in his cot, after a sip of water and a kiss.
However, over the last month he has started waking more and more often. We're now at the point where he wakes every hour and cries out for me. I don't know what to do. I can't work out if he is scared or if he just wants the attention, if I ask him what's wrong he will just say he wants some water. But he sounds quite distressed before I get to him. He never drinks much anyway so it's clearly not thirst!
He is fine during the day, not particularly shy or anxious. I've tried a night light, leaving the door to his room open, a comforter which he loves, but none of this has helped. Any ideas?

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 10/08/2017 17:49

Can you not leave a kidded beaker of water in his cot overnight?

FATEdestiny · 10/08/2017 17:50

lidded*

BertramTheWalrus · 10/08/2017 20:56

I've tried, but he doesn't put it back where it's supposed to go when he's sleepy and then can't find it the next time he wakes. This also had me thinking it may be more a behavioural issue than a sleep issue, not being able to find it struck me as an excuse to call for me. Or am I expecting too much from a toddler?

OP posts:
FATEdestiny · 10/08/2017 21:53

I was just going to say exactly that.

I would place good money on the fact he doesn't actually need or even want water. He just wants you.

Your 2 and a half year old could find a beaker in a cot if he wanted too. If you haven't already, move all clutter from the cot so it's much easier to find.

I'd also be inclined to play him at his own game and put 5 or 6 breakers in there. Absolutely no excuse then.

But as mentioned, I don't think the water is the issue. I would therefore stop it completely so he has one less reason to shout you. A well hydrated person (child or adult) should not be waking due to thirst. If he genuinely is then he needs much more water during the daytime.

You could add a night light, if you think it might help. My children all became quite suddenly scared of the dark around their third birthday.

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