Hi - I'm hoping someone may have some advice for me!
After using gradual retreat method at 18months old my son has been a relatively good sleeper, 7pm til 6am most nights. We had a lovely bedtime routine of bath, stories, lights off and cuddles then he will settle himself down to sleep.
This was until 7 weeks ago when we had a new baby! We expected some unsettled nights but bedtime has now become a horrific battle of wills. It starts with point blank refusal to go upstairs for a bath, followed by refusal to get out of the bath, refusal to get into bed, constant getting in and out of bed, crying, until finally after around 1.5hrs of us repeatedly putting him back into bed each time he gets out he will be so exhausted he will fall asleep. Naps are just not happening because I haven't got the energy to fight him into sleep in the day when I'm on my own and newborn won't be put down. I have resorted to taking them out in the car just to get them both to sleep.
I feel like the root cause is separation anxiety as a result of the new baby, but I am doing everything I can to alleviate that- whenever baby no2 is asleep I play with him, we read books when I am feeding, he changes his doll when baby needs changing, we have lots of cuddles and kisses and talk about how he is my favourite boy (newborn is a girl!).
I would really appreciate any advice on how to get him back into a good bedtime again without the battles. We have to sit in his room until he is fast asleep as if we leave he just gets up and out of bed. My husband is bearing the brunt of it as I am breastfeeding and often have to leave him to it. Most nights we are taking him up for a bath at 6.45pm and he isn't going to sleep until 8.30-9pm!!
Please help!! From a tired, emotional mummy!!