DD has just turned 7. She's never been the greatest sleeper and regresses several times a year. Last year we were at breaking point, 5 months of waking in the night 6+ times. I contacted a play therapist as I think a lot of the issues stemmed from an episode in hospital where a nurse took some ECG stickers off her in her sleep (she has a heart defect) and this seemingly traumatised her. I didn't manage to get in with a play therapist due to no availability but one did suggest trying a new bed which we did and it miraculously worked!
Fast forward to now, we're 5 weeks with a similar regression apart from this time she 'kicks off' because she can't get to sleep. Or like now wakes up in the middle of the nights for 2 hours hysterical because she can't get back to sleep. Half is behavioural I think and other that she genuinely can't get back to sleep. I say behavioural because she'll sit up for hours moaning and crying she cannot sleep but will refuse to lie down and close her eyes. We've explained we cannot make her get to sleep she needs to use breathing techniques etc to relax but it just goes on for hours.
Tonight when it started at 11:30pm I did lose my head with her and shouted. Mainly because she woke up her siblings (3m and 2yo) the whole household is affected by her sleeping. My husband went and sat in with her to calm her down.
She goes to bed at 19:45 which may be a bit early, wakes up 6am on the dot without fail. I need to implement any changes with caution as she is very particular about change to routine. Any suggestions welcome! 🙏