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7 year old won’t stay in own bed or go back to sleep

4 replies

PinkThings · 18/03/2023 20:04

My son has always liked sleeping with us but it went through phases how much he would get in bed with us and how much he’d just sleep through in his bed. Previously, if he had come in with us, I could put him back in his bed easily. He’s pretty confident but has never really liked being on his own upstairs if we’re downstairs and is a very cuddly child who wants / gives a lot of physical affection. Recently he’s started taking ages to fall asleep, wakes up at the slightest sound and then will flap around and won’t go back to sleep (in his bed). The moment he’s in bed with us / in our bed he’ll go straight to sleep. This is obviously putting a strain with myself and my husband and everyone’s getting so tired. I’ve tried rewards, charts, being firm, being patient, not saying much, talking it through, various lights, white noise etc etc and nothing has worked. When he was a baby he’d sleep for hours and hours and I could move him / take him anywhere and he just wouldn’t wake up. Now it’s almost like he’s on high alert to be awake unless he’s with us! I need any suggestions of how to sort this!!!

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 18/03/2023 20:08

Get a foldout bed on the floor in your room and let him come and get into that when he wakes in the night.

bumblebee1401 · 18/03/2023 20:11

What is he worrying about? Have you talked through the fact that he used to do well in his own bed and you are struggling to understand why he suddenly can't? Have you explained (gently) that you and Dad need your own space as well, especially now that he is older? That the fact that he is coming in is impacting on your sleep as well?

Aquamarine1029 · 18/03/2023 20:14

I would try a noise machine or use an Alexa to play thunderstorm sounds softly in the background.

I don't think making him his own little bed in your room is a good choice. It will just reinforce him wanting to be in your room. He needs to stay in his room.

Happyhappyday · 19/03/2023 03:51

Someone I know had a deal where if the kiddo came in to sleep on the floor bed/mattress on the floor and didn't wake up the parents they were allowed to stay, but if they woke up the parents, they got taken back to bed, on repeat.

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