Help! 2 year old sleeping deteriorated

[TheChineseChicken]

Hoping for some advice, please. Our 2 year old DD has previously been a good sleeper. Goes down in her cot at 7pm with no problems and chats to herself until she falls asleep then wakes at around 6.30am.

For the last week to 10 days it's all gone to pot. Doesn't want to fall asleep by herself and wails mummy or daddy until we go back in. This continues on repeat until she eventually falls asleep. Then during the night she wakes multiple times calling out for us. Last night was 5 or 6 times!

It's exhausting and so frustrating. For information it is of course hot at night (although had been for a long time before the problems started) and we were on holiday for a couple of weeks so she had been sleeping in strange places. The sleeping problems only started on the last three nights though and have continued for a week after our return.

Any ideas for how we can fix this?!

[zombiemum123]

Yes baby’s sleeping great! Thank god, just waiting for the 4 month regression in a few weeks!

[TheChineseChicken]

Is your baby still sleeping well?

Just think, one day they'll be all grown up and we won't have to talk about sleep anymore!!

[TheChineseChicken]

That's a great update. I guess the novelty of the new room is enough to keep him occupied for now, which should hopefully lead to him developing some better habits. Fingers crossed things continue to improve.

Things are all good here for now. Long naps and no night wakings! I'm sure the next bad phase is just around the corner but for now I'm enjoying the sleep.

[zombiemum123]

And shit is suppose to say shot

[zombiemum123]

We seem to be winning 🤞🏻🤞🏻 swapped his bed room to the small room, figured it was worth a shit, his other room was huge so thought maybe he would feel more secure ??? We made it really exiting for him and decked it out with tractors (loves them) he actually has self settled and doesn’t seem terrified! I cannot believe it!! Hope all is good your end chicken

[zombiemum123]

And that’s suppose to say honest not honey (sleep deprivation 🙄)

[zombiemum123]

Oops sent before finished, to be honey I think it would have damaged him More if we made him stay in his room. Thanks for the words of encouragement it what I needed to hear. I have his 2 1/2 year review on Friday so will Ask the hv too

[zombiemum123]

It’s awful isn’t it, always been wary about him coming to bed with us but to be h

[TheChineseChicken]

It will end! Although I can't guarantee when... I accept that every good night could be followed by a terrible one so never feel that relaxed.

It's really sad when they wake upset in the night from a bad dream

[zombiemum123]

Getting there very very slowly, going to sleep better but waking up having nightmares etc. He was that upset I brought him in with us, will usually settle if I say I’m out side his door. It’s never going to end is it x

[TheChineseChicken]

Much better recently! Going down for naps and sleep without complaint and rarely waking up. When she does she's managing to self settle.

How are things with you?

[zombiemum123]

How you getting on chicken?

[zombiemum123]

Oh yey for you.. we definalty had wake ups!! But better in some ways... I think the trick is to consistently get him to go to sleep on his own so when he woke I gave him warm and milk and said mummy’s just there (pointing at the landing) you go to sleep, took a few reassurances and woke again to be reassured but at least I wasn’t a prisoner in his room

[TheChineseChicken]

No wake ups! Not sure why.

How was your night?

[TheChineseChicken]

That's fantastic, we'll done you! to celebrate.

Bedtime went well here too but how the rest of the night goes remains to be seen. Fingers crossed for both of us

[zombiemum123]

Ok I don’t want to speak to soon but I also want to celebrate my little victory!! The rapid return to bed drama that unfolded last night seems to have worked, got up 3 times put back to bed with no talking and eye contact and he was asleep within 10 mins!!! He’s not fallen to sleep on his own for weeks!

[zombiemum123]

It’s just crap isn’t it! I think this is the one I’ll stick with just so them 3 hours last night wasn’t for nothing!

[TheChineseChicken]

Argh! Sorry you're still suffering as well. The key is to find a strategy and stick to it but it's not clear what the strategy should be. Hoping things improve for you tonight.

She does sometimes sound a bit upset but it's hard to tell with all the wailing. It's an unbearable noise

[zombiemum123]

Is she getting upset ? If not I’d be tempted to just ignore as she’s looking for attention.. obviously I’m no expert though

[zombiemum123]

Just to add I didn’t say anything and left the room- he was literally right behind me , if he came into my room I’d take his hand and lead him back to bed. Will continue tonight and let you know.. think I need to stick to one thing and see it through

[zombiemum123]

Really feeling your pain, I decided it needs to be sorted I can’t cope so every time he got out of bed I put him back in took 2 hours, in the end he was laying in bed And crying, I asked if he wanted milk which he did and made it clear that I’d leave him with his milk to go to sleep, he then slept... don’t know if I’m doing the right thing but I am going to stick with rapid return and hope for the best! Ohhh I wish we could go back to the days of “night night love you” and close the door 

[TheChineseChicken]

Terrible night - shouting from 1-2 then 3-4.30. Not even sure what our tactic should be. Going in doesn't help but neither does ignoring (plus I don't like listening to her upset)

[zombiemum123]

Ds2 sleeps from 8-6 then has a bottle and wakes up again at 9! An angel so don’t let it put you off! Dh shouted no more kids last night

[TheChineseChicken]

Must be a double nightmare with a 12 week old as well. We're trying for number 2 but this is giving me second thoughts...

[TheChineseChicken]

Oh gosh!