Right!!!

[mummynumnum]

Have 18mth yr old. I am awake at 4.30 today (which is unusual) but dd is still waking in night often for a drink. Half term in three weeks and really want to sort this. Any tips on cc for 18tmth yr old or other sleep techniques.

Have let this go on for so long because a) I am much softer than ever thought I would be b) has recurrent ear infections and I am worried she is waking because of that.

Hi, poor you...is she well at the moment? No ear infections?

I have done CC but I did it at 3 months so no help with doing it with an older one....I know there are others here who have done it though so hopefully they will come and give you some advice/tips.

I take it your lo goes down at night without a fuss???

She is great at going down at night without a fuss, but tends to wake twice in night. To be fair she usually has some milk and goes straight back to sleep, but wakings are getting a bit wearing. Cant decide whether I should think it could be worse or right I am going to sort this out. Sleep was fine and then she started to get recurrent ear infections and sleep went a bit hay wire, esp after a febrile confusion. Not sure if I am making excuses.

we did this before xmas with dd who is 18 months. When she woke, went in, comforted her over the side of her cot (she was usually standing up) for a short while (30 seconds or so) then left the room for 2 minutes, returned and did the same, kept repeating until she eventually went back to sleep. No picking up, no talking, no attempts to lie her down (you just end up struggling and they get more upset). Also dh went in to her and not me as we noticed that if i go in and then leave she gets very hysterical, less so with him. I think we judged by her crying whether or not to leave her longer than 2 mins but definitely didn't leave her crying for prolonged periods. It could take a couple of weeks but if you are determined and consistent it pays off. You do need to be prepared for some noise, and to be awake for a while. We did this whatever time she woke - after a couple of nights she was sleeping through again but waking very early. After a few mornings of it getting earlier - 5.30am followed by 5am, then 4.45am then 4.30am!! we decided that anything earlier than 5.30 or 6am we would treat as a night waking and do the same. She's currently sleeping 11 hours from 7.30pm at night, with 2 hours at lunchtime. Good luck!

She doesn't need milk in the night anymore but obviously thinks she can't go back to sleep without it.

Could you try shush/pat routine?

Yes, I think I have created a bad habit with the milk. I think may switch to cup of water by bed and non-picking up comforting. Sometimes I find that if I lie in double bed and just let her watch me she drifts off. But not sure this wont create a bad habiut either.

You are right. You don't want to switch one habit for another but you need to be firm in what you want to achieve and how you get there. Have the courage of your convictions and be consistent.

We have given her watered down milk in her tommee tippee cup this eve and she didnt seem to mind. Have also bought another blanket for bed-so far she has not woken up.