2.5yo sleep issues

[mrshadders]

Hi, hoping someone has some words of advice!

Over the last 2/3 months my 2.5yo daughter has started struggling with getting herself to sleep. She had previously been a good self settler however she now needs one of us to sit with her until she is completely asleep. It is impossible to creep out of her room as she wakes up the minute we move. At the same time, she started waking in the night and coming and getting in our bed.

We therefore put her gate back on her door but she just stands and screams if we ignore her. We have tried letting her cry (Obviously ensuring she needs absolutely nothing) but it does not work. We also have a five month old baby so it is causing a lot of disruption and anxiety. We have Also tried rewarding her on the rare occasion she stays in her bed but this doesn't seem to carry over to the next night.

Does anyone have any advice?

Hi I don't have experience of this as ds is younger but I know that I used to do this. My mum had to move me to a bed as I would climb out of my cot to go to her bed in the early hours. I personally have no memory of this so it must've stopped at least by age 5, but probably earlier as I have memories from about age 3 onwards.

We had this exact experience and worked with a sleep consultant. Best money we've ever spent. Our now 3 year old sleeps really well and we feel much much better as a result

Thanks both. @sunsetandcocktails I'm reluctant to splash out on a consultant purely because what else can they tell us?

With the sleep consultant- I know several parents who paid for a sleep consultant and they all found it extremely helpful. Sounds like it could be worth the money!
Also have you tried playing music quietly to help her go to sleep? My girls reacted really well to that. Incase this is useful, I made a playlist of calm songs:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEpeVs4WeBv_F5qYE3pXMvnsCCNqZRuBQ
Good luck

We've had this a few months back with DS (now just over 2 and a half).
Had a period where he wouldn't go to sleep without one of us in the room. We had a pull out bed in his room so I'd set it up, put him down then get in it myself, and put my head under the covers until he fell asleep (could take up to 45mins) I'd use the time to catch up with emails on my phone! It was ridiculous but he just wanted to know one of us was there (although if he could actually SEE us it was too distracting, hence having to hide under the covers!).

He'd also wake up in the night a lot and we just admitted defeat and one of us would go through into his room and sleep in there with him. He'd go back down very quickly knowing we were there (and I was very reluctant to get into a habit of him sleeping in our bed with us).

Lasted about 6 weeks if I recall. then he was fine! it really is all a phase, albeit brutal when you're going through it.

@Emmagreenfield she has a little lullaby thing that she used to has as a baby and I just got that back out. It's helping her settle a bit but not completely solving the problem

@Northofthebordermum yes that sounds very similar. Hoping it passes soon like it did for you! Half of me thinks it's because her little sister is still in her Next to Me in our room and if 2.5yo wakes in the night she comes in to us thinking she's missing out!