3 year sleep regression - what the actual f**k!!

[popgoesperfection]

Ds2 turned 3 at the beginning of December. He hasn't been a particularly good sleeper but had turned a corner and was sleeping well (or so I thought). Anyway, last few weeks has been awful, waking up, running around the bedroom (still in with me as he hasn't got his own room, would be sharing with older brother), screaming and refusing to get into bed. I've tried been nice, I've tried been stern. Nothing works. I'm doing the No speaking / engaging now and hoping and praying it works otherwise I'm out of ideas. Please help ....

It’s normal. Just keep the boundaries firmly in place. And rude it out. It will pass.

And these are not regressions, they’re progressions. She is learning to push the boundaries and assert herself.

Your probably right. He's a lot more headstrong than my oldest ds. He just used to lay in bed and go to sleep and stay put until I went in the next morning.

They say babies haven’t read the textbooks but I swear to god mine has as he’s had every regression going.

No advise OP, literally just popped on to say my DS is nearly three and i thought it was all done with!

It's so nice to know I'm not alone @RockAndRollerskate. All my mummy friends have good sleepers so they just don't understand the frustration and knackerdness I'm feeling.

Most of mine too! But I have two colleagues with older children that weren’t sleepers and they still remember what it was like and let me know I’m not alone!

The mantra in this house is “everything’s a phase”

Mine is doing this too! She’s 3.5, always slept really well (7-7) but for the last 10 days or so she’s been waking up between 4 and 5am, acting like it’s morning full of energy and wanting breakfast 🤦🏼‍♀️ with the occasional waking at around 1/2am as well. Most of the time we can get her back to sleep but it takes over an hour, we’re shattered! Tonight we’ve kept her up an extra hour until 8pm to see if it helps… just settling her now…

Fingers crossed for you @Cuppasoupmonster. I hope she settles and sleep well for you.
@RockAndRollerskate this is my saying too. Though I feel like I've been saying it since he was born 🙈

My nearly three year old is doing the same too! So hard to get him to sleep. And he’s always been quite good at going to bed and getting off to sleep himself!

I did wonder whether he’s been having nightmares or scared of the dark as I’m sure I read those fears start about now?!

How is everyone getting on with sleep?
We had a few good nights but tonight's been a long one so far, up and down every hour nearly 🥱

Hello - can I join in? How is everyone getting on?
my just turned 3 year old has always been an OK sleeper, not amazing but he’d usually do 7-7ish most nights.
We took the side down on his cot about a month ago as he was able to climb out, so he’s now in a toddler bed with a little rail to stop him from falling out.
Literally the day he had the side down, his sleep has been terrible! The first couple of nights I expected him to be a bit unsettled but we’re almost six weeks in now - he’s just had a night of 12.30, 1.30 wakings and then up bright eyed and bushy tailed at 5am!!

Both me and DH are shattered, his 5 year old sister is tired for school as she hears the commotion at night. DS’ behaviour has got progressively worse at nursery, he’s shouting and hitting his peers. He’s also started having naps again! (Which he dropped six months ago).
I’m seriously tempted to put the side back on his cot if it means us all getting a bit more sleep 😒

How are things for you now? We have had the exact same situation. 4 weeks in.