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New sleep issues in 3.5 year old

7 replies

tomhazard · 17/12/2018 06:33

DS is 3.5 . Crappy sleep as a baby but was sleeping through by 9 months till 6-6.30am.
From about 2.5 he works also wait for his gro clock just like his sister.

In the last few weeks he's waking up 1-2 times a night and won't go back to sleep until someone lies in his bed with him or he sleeps in our bed. DH and I are light sleepers so tend to try to get him back in his own bed then leave when he's asleep. On top of this he is starting his day at 5am when he appears in our room. When we lie with him he just fidgets until his gro clock changes at 6.

He is utterly non-negotiable and non-bribable. I've tried stickers, treats all sorts. I could live with the early start if he wasnt waking up in the night too but he and we are utterly exhausted and work is getting a bit of a struggle.
It seems odd to have a new sleep issue at his age, any experience or advice much appreciated.

OP posts:
tomhazard · 20/12/2018 06:13

Really hopeful bump. Feeling pretty desperate about his new found awful sleep and starting to get down. Would appreciate any experiences

OP posts:
ChocSprinkles18 · 20/12/2018 06:16

Is there anything he’s afraid of at night? Has he got a nightlight?

tomhazard · 20/12/2018 06:19

He has he gro clock which creates quite a bright light. I think he's just developed a bad habit and I can't figure out how to fix it. He's strong willed

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allthegoodnamesalreadytaken · 20/12/2018 06:21

is he too hot or too cold during the night maybe?

tomhazard · 20/12/2018 06:36

I have considered he might be cold. Has an extra layer on and a thin blanket and have put something between his sheet and mattress as he has one of those wipe clean ones that can be a bit cold.
I have tried taking him back to his bed several million times but he just gets more and more stressed if I leave and shouts loud enough to wake DD.

OP posts:
allthegoodnamesalreadytaken · 20/12/2018 08:19

Might be worth just going with it for a couple of weeks co-sleep and then gently transition him back to his own bed once he is more settled.

When this has happened with DD in the past I've also tried the "love bombing" technique where I give her my 100% undivided attention for the last hour before bed an this seemed to be enough to stop her seeking me out during the night (especially after the long days at nursery)

tomhazard · 20/12/2018 08:38

Thanks allthegoodnames I'll try that. It's so random and I'm super tired now as he's getting up basically during the night to start the day

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