17 months putting up a HUGE fight

[gigi556]

My DS17 Months has had a massive regression this last week. I guess this is the 18 month regression???

He's generally an ok sleeper apart from being an early riser (5/5:30am starts). We've tried various things to correct this but nothing has worked yet!

Anyway in the last week he's started waking at 4am and will not go back to sleep. He's also fighting naps. Used to pop down, give dummy, say it's night night time and to sleep he went. If he fussed or cried it was never for more than a minute or so and usually a pat on the back and saying it's night night time and off to sleep he went. Same with middle of the night wake ups if any.

Now he just wails and wails and wails and will not go to sleep! Wouldn't go down for his afternoon nap and finally brought him in bed with me for his nap after over an hour of controlled crying.

I've read that you have to "ride it out" and not go back to any old habits or develop new associations but what are you supposed to do?!! Controlled crying has always worked for us very rapidly (ie not very much crying at all!).

Anyone? I've had another 4am start. I'm desperate 😩😩😩

Don't really know what to suggest. Maybe try shortening his nap? A couple of drops (really only a couple) of drops of lavender oil in his bath or in a diffuser n his bedroom might soothe him.

I swear there is something in the air at the moment because I know lots of people (me included!) with toddlers that are waking up at 4am.

Dd is exactly the same! She used to have a whinge when she woke up and then go back to sleep to a reasonable hour. Now she will absolutely not settle. If I bring her into bed with me she just climbs down and runs everywhere so no chance of getting an extra hour or so.

I have absolutely no idea what to do, different nap/bedtimes have done nothing, extra food, nightlight, music etc etc haven’t helped. I’m stumped. And incredibly tired! So this is no help at all, but with you in solidarity.