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?!

[TheChineseChicken]

That looks good House, I might try that to see if it distracts her

[zombiemum123]

Ahh I wish I could say the same! we had two wake ups last night- usually only 1. However on a positive note he went down easily, I sat on a chair at the other side of the room and waited till he seemed to be in a deep sleep- probs so easy because he’s exhausted. Do you risk checking in her before bed? I do but it wakes him! Do I leave him to stay settles?!

[HouseOfSix]

We have a video monitor so I can see him without having to go in. Check it (very) regularly!

[zombiemum123]

Yeah I have one somewhere. I’ll dig it out.. worse night there’s been last night feel like it’s getting worse

[TheChineseChicken]

Bad getting to sleep or lots of wake ups (it both?).

Things are getting a bit better for us but I couldn't tell you why

[TheChineseChicken]

By the way we got a gro clock - only on day two of using it but DD really likes it and seems to understand the concept. Might be worth a try

[zombiemum123]

Thanks Chinese, fine going to sleep because he is absolutely exhausted by bed time but wakes up ever night, was thinking grow clock but not sure if he would I get it as he was only 2 in May. How are things for you now

[TheChineseChicken]

Still a bit of resistance at bedtime but sleeping through better. Think the cooler weather helps. Waking up pre 6am though

[TheChineseChicken]

Friend of mine said her daughter the same age naps for 3 hours during the day then sleeps 7-8.30. Could have cried

[zombiemum123]

Whaat how is that fair 😭

[TheChineseChicken]

Dreadful night, at least 6 wakings. I haven't been able to get back to sleep since 5. Losing the will to live

[MisstoMrs]

So glad I found this thread. What is going on??? DC was up from 3AM Saturday morning, then napped for a couple of hours at 10 😱 Better the last couple of nights but getting up at 5:15. Never a great sleeper because of issues when very small but this is killing me 😩

[TheChineseChicken]

Commiserations Miss. We had a few good nights now it's all gone to shit again. What the hellos going on?!

[zombiemum123]

Yep not getting any better for us either? What do you do when she gets up? Go to her or let her in your bed?

[zombiemum123]

Although it’s rubbish it really does sound “normal” for this age.. shame there’s no solution that actually works

[TheChineseChicken]

She never comes in our bed but never has. We mostly go in and touch her back to settle her but I want to get away from that so she's not dependent on it. But at 3am you do anything that might work!!!

[TheChineseChicken]

I thought she might have been cold last night and she has a bit of a cold (grasping at straws)

[zombiemum123]

We have put a blow up bed for dh to go in to him when he wakes- he only tends to wake up once but will NOT sleep if we’re not in there and WILL wake if we try to escape! It’s just too difficult with dh work and ds2 who is 12 weeks.. dh managed to sneak out for work this morning and not wake him, he also happily played in his room for a bit when he woke, good sign surely ...albeit with his poo ( all over the walls) - that is me grasping

[TheChineseChicken]

Oh gosh!

[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...

[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]

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]

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 

[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]

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