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Please can I have advice re 2 year olds sleep/clinginess

2 replies

clairebear610 · 11/08/2022 22:24

I am at my wits end unsure what to do and totally exhausted. I have a 2 year old who has never slept brilliantly, and a 5 month old. In the last few weeks my 2 year old has become really clingy with me, especially at night which is really challenging as I'm ebf my 5 month old. My 2 year old only wants me to put her to bed and to sit with her until she falls asleep and the last couple of days has even wanted me to hold her hand (she has the box room so I have been lying on her floor in desperation). A couple of times I've reluctantly tried to let her cry it out but she just stands up for an hour crying for me. This morning she woke at 4:30am and only wants me so I'm utterly exhausted juggling both. I don't know what approach to take...should I continue holding her hand, being there all the time etc or should I let my husband deal with it sometimes even if it means lots of tears, or do I (reluctantly) let her cry sometimes. I am worried about scarring her if I leave her but just don't know what to do as I can't do it all alone, I'm a zombie and I don't know if giving in to her/pandering might actually be making things worse. Does anyone have any advice please? Thanks

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 11/08/2022 22:35

If she’s well, not hungry, not ill, and safe in her cot/bed, I’d leave her. Well I’d do controlled crying, going back in every 2/5/7/10/10 mins to sssh and lay back down. It’s time to break the habit- and yes there will be tears and you’ll want to crack but it gets better over time. Some kids take a couple of nights, others are more will full.

clairebear610 · 12/08/2022 08:46

Thanks @OnlyFoolsnMothers. I'll perhaps give that a try again. I keep wondering if she's perhaps scared of the dark or something.

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