4 Year Old Sleep Problems... Advice Needed!! [confused]

[sammyd88]

Hi Everyone,

My 4 year old daughter has just started experiencing sleep issues at night, when after being a solid 12 hour sleeper and good bedtime child since 6 months!?

We have not changed routine or setting and bedtime is about 7:30pm after a hot chocolate and chill time downstairs, then its a bedtime story.

But now she will almost guaranteed be out of bed within 30 mins to need a wee, but she doesnt need a wee she just wants to sit on the toilet!?

Then its back to bed where she will settle, but come 4am / 5am or even earlier sometimes she will wake up and despite putting her back to bed, telling her it is bedtime, trying for a wee, etc etc etc she just keeps getting up out of bed and coming back into our room?

This will go on until me and the husband are pulling our hair out and we are awake come 6:30am and shattered....

We have a 18 month old who sleeps beautifully as well, but our oldest just all of a sudden does not want to know and will not give in!?

She goes to a good school and we know there are no external factors and we keep her away from anything that could be scary on TV etc....

Help?????

Yeah she has finally realised she can have an opinion on bedtime!

My daughter is 3.5 and just hit this phase. My solution (has worked for a couple of nights) has been to put the gate back on her bedroom door. I also make her do a wee, have a small drink before bed. Then there is no more getting up, whether she says she needs a wee or not. I will also sit by the door and tell her to lay down as soon as she sits up if needed. In the night, when she calls from her gate I simply get up and don’t say a word to her. I silently put her on the toilet (whatever the reason for her getting up is) and then put her back to bed. I don’t tell her off or ask what’s wrong. I literally don’t engage. And repeat.

It’s soul destroying but they realise they can control bedtime with wees and drinks!