My DD has always, always been a bad/short sleeper with a night waking pattern. Second DC, we waited it out as we know eventually it gets better but it's not happening!
Co sleeping doesn't work as the problem is often that once she wakes up, it's really hard to get her to go back to sleep, whether I get in with her, or not so we're always losing some sleep time.
On a good night (rare) she sleeps 8-530/6 (she's 4.5) so she's clearly on the lower end of hours of sleep needed.
She says she's scared, has had nightmares when she wakes up, she comes to find me. DD most often wakes about 2 but anywhere from midnight to 4am is usual.
DD does go down to sleep now (recently, the last week) without me lying down with her but very reluctant to go back to sleep at night. DD always says sorry for waking me, she's trying not to.
Any advice? She was up at 240am today, she woke at 2 yesterday but did go back to sleep although even yesterday we lost some time as she was tired in the day. It's impacting her learning, behaviour, injuries (she shakes her head, bangs it and trips when she's tired) her ability to get stronger as she's too tired to walk far.
I'd hire someone if I thought it would help, but what will help?!? Is it a case of give it another 6 months and wait it out?
I tried rewards, no luck unless it's a big immediate food one which is undesirable - I offered her a princess sticker to collect towards a pocket money toy last night but think was too complicated for her to understand at bedtime. Should I persist with the rewards?