Hi all, hoping for some advice! My 2.5 year old daughter, who was previously a good sleeper and would settle herself to sleep, has suddenly been refusing to get into her cot. We have the same bedtime routine as we do every night.
Yesterday night she did a pooh in her nappy soon after falling asleep after days of being constipated. My husband and I went in, woke her up and changed her nappy then (attempted to) put her back in her cot. She wasn't having any of it and this was the start of it all...
She looked scared when we tried to put her back into the cot and was screaming hysterically, shaking too. We held her tight and comforted her but ended up bringing her into bed with us (which in hindsight might have made things worse)
Day after (being tonight) she was fine with the bedtime routine, kept things as normal as possible, however the minute I put her into the cot BAM! Crying, refusing to lie down, climbing out (which is something she's never done before), telling us constantly 'stay here' and 'I want cuddles' and 'I want to go in your room'
I've now resorted to sitting in her room, reassuring her that 'I'm here' if she stirs and waiting for her to fall asleep. I've attempted to leave a couple of times and again the crying and getting out of her cot starts so we go back to square one!
Prepared to sit here as long as required, not sure if I'm doing the right thing. I'm out of her eyesight but still in her room.
Also we're in the process of moving house and expecting baby number 2 so she's probably sensing a lot of change. She's a clever girl and very in tune with what's going on and others people's emotions.
I guess I'm just after advice of how to prepare her and ready her for the upcoming changes, I thought we had been doing well by talking to her about it but I wonder now whether I've created worry in her and its starting to affect her sleep.
I work with children who have mental health and behavioural issues but I guess it's different with your own! Any advice welcome please!