So my (nearly) 2.5 year old has always been a bit of a nightmare sleeper and has never wanted to self-settle. My eldest was happy to go into her cotbed by herself with a bottle etc and then on to a toddler bed etc. We went through a slight sleep regression with her where she wanted someone to stay in the room with her but that lasted a matter of weeks (she's not 6, goes to bed fine etc) so I'm in desperate need of some advice now.
As I said self-settling has always been an issue for him - he definitely wanted cuddled etc and if he woke through the night DH (his Dad) would take him downstairs for a bottle, cuddle etc (rod-back etc). He still has a bottle of milk before bed, although we've started introducing a cup with a straw etc and he seems happy with that (he drinks from a normal cup etc through the day).
But he never seems tired until 9:30 at night - as in genuinely not tired. I tried a couple of weeks back to get him to settle in his bed by staying in the room. We've taken the sides off of his cot and gave him a book, milk etc but he screamed and no amount of anything would get him to stay to the point he was almost sick.
He's still waking up through the night as well and expecting my DH to take him downstairs. I suffer from ME (although mild) and lack of sleep doesn't help this. Before Christmas I was suffering from anxiety (related to an ME flare up, issues at work and a death in the family) and I'm starting to get back to normal and I know that the current situation can't go on but I'm at the end of my tether.
My son and daughter currently share a room (but it's a very large bedroom) but we are due to move this year.
Even from a baby he was not keen to just be put down and go to sleep.
Any tips, advise, support, wine, gin, vodka would be most welcome for this sleep deprived Mum! 