Sleep 3 y/o

[Eilatan2018]

Desperately seeking advice!

Nearly 3y/o has always been a terrible sleeper! Has now massively regressed.

Stopped self soothing and was taking up to 2 hours to go to sleep.. started the process at 6.30- still awake at 8.30!
Dropped his nap and now he's exhausted and asleep a lot quicker, in fact almost instantly which is perfect.

However, he's waking in the night frequently... partner and I took in turns to put back but after hours and no sleep for any of us, let him sleep in with me. This would be fine if he would SLEEP! He's started coming in with me and then being wide awake for hours! i.e. last night.. asleep for 7, up at 11 in my bed and awake until 1! Then woke at 430 for a bit and up for day at 545!

This is not sustainable!

Have made sure his room is dark but with a night light, he has a bath and book before bed, he has a snack before bed (natural yoghurt or banana or weetabix), nappy changed before bed.

What else can we do?!

This weekend we aim to keep going in and putting him back and taking it in turns.. if we don't have work we can catch up on rest the next day!

He is really grumpy, sensitive and generally hard work because he's getting such little sleep.. he had 8 hours last night and without a nap today will be knackered later!

Any advice.. before we lose our minds?!

What happens if you literally just leave him in his room?
No naps at all?
Is he in nappy’s in the day?- as you said “nappy change”

@onlyFoolsnMothers he just screams and we give in.. maybe that's another idea, letting him cry until he gives up!

No he isn't in nappies in day, he's potty trained but he wees alot at night so we haven't even started trying to get him dry at night.. that will be a whole new battle!

Sounds overtired as children should take 5-15 mins to fall asleep. If he's exhausted and falling asleep as soon as hes in bed he's probably going to bed too late. This is why he wakes frequently in the night as he cant get into a deep sleep and will be the reason for an early wake up. Try a few earlier bedtimes. How long did his nap used to be? What time is he now going to bed? Sometimes they need a few super early nights to 'reset ' then once they are not overtired and waking up super early you can reset the routine

Yes that’s true I guess. He was napping 45 mins but we cut it out to try and help. Maybe we should be getting him down for 615. It was 7 and taking nearly 2 hours but last two nights it’s been 645 and asleep for 7.

Thanks!

It’s hard because you are in a cycle- he likely wouldn’t need a nap if waking closer to 7 or 6am- I would aim for a 7pm bedtime for a 6/7am wake up.
Don’t worry about being dry overnight that’s hormonal etc.
Going to have to be militant- wake up/ sleep time- wakes in the night keep putting him back etc- if awake at 5, don’t have a day nap but have a quiet calm day at home to keep the same bed time whilst not being over tired.

I think your weekend plan sounds good but you will probably need to do it for longer. Have you got a groclock? Really helped my 2 understand that ot was not wake up time . If he's getting up at 5.45 do you get straight up?

@ImFree2doasiwant

I think your weekend plan sounds good but you will probably need to do it for longer. Have you got a groclock? Really helped my 2 understand that ot was not wake up time . If he's getting up at 5.45 do you get straight up?

Oh yes will continue longer but meant we can start this weekend as have more time! Yes we have a gro clock and used to go by but that also went out the window! I won’t go downstairs before 630 ever!