Desperate

[DJMUM2]

Hi all,

I have a 20 month old who has never slept through the night. (Yes not once) she wakes each night between 2-6 times and is up at 5am. She won't nap unless in the car. I have been referred to the sleep clinic at my local hospital as they think she might have a sleep condition. The worst part is the night terrors. She is hysterical and you can't soother her, cuddles make it worse. My heart is broken trying to manage a very difficult full time job and household. I feel like an absolute failure at all I'm doing because I'm constantly exhausted. I average 3 hrs sleep a night. I was just hoping for some tips I might not have tried to help while we wait to be referred to the clinic. Which might take months. She still has a drink in the night but water not milk. Please share any tips to try no matter how far fetched.

Much appreciated

Hmm, I am no expert but it doesn’t sound like she has a sleep condition at all it just sounds like she’s a toddler that is on the lower side of sleep! I got a ‘bad’ sleeper too, she is also 20 months. I cosleep to get through and this might work for you. My in laws told me my husband didntsleep longer than 2 hour stretches until he was 2 and then it was like a light switched. I really don’t think there is anything wrong here it’s just about how you manage to get the most rest. As mentioned I highly recommend cosleeping.

Crazycatlady5 thank you for the reassurance. She's also showing early signs of autism which is linked to not sleeping. We can't co sleep as my husband is disabled. I really think that would help too. Thank you for reassuring me that I'm not alone. Hopefully when she's two she will sleep like you say.

What about a floor bed in her room so could sleep in with her sometimes? Might that be a possibility?

@DJMUM2 sounds so tough for you 💕 as PP above says I think it might help you to babyproof her room and get a floor bed so you can start your night in your bed and then join her when she wakes. Don’t get me wrong sleeping with the littles isn’t the MOST restful sleep ever but it’s absolutely better than having to physically get up etc, if I didn’t cosleep is average about 3 hours sleep a night but with cosleeping I wake briefly, cuddle/feed and back to sleep various times a night. Much more restful x

Thank you ladies. Very helpful. Any ideas about the night terrors ? I have read every book /forum going trying to find tips not nothing has any advice. As she's getting older they are more and more distressing. Xxx