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3 year old - not slept through for 7 months

15 replies

RP2211 · 12/01/2025 22:37

Any advice appreciated.
My 3 year old wakes within 2 hours of going to bed every night. Whilst we thought it was night terrors (which some nights we do think it is and the GP confirmed this) other nights she wakes up and is just upset. She can go down pretty quickly but will be up 3-4 times every night. We have tried the health visitors advice and GP but nothing has gotten better. If anyone has any miracle experiences please post! Thank you!

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NuffSaidSam · 12/01/2025 22:41

Did anything happen seven months ago to prompt this?

Potty training? New sibling? New home? New bed? Started/moved nursery? Illness?

Swallowdoubleandrunamile · 12/01/2025 23:44

What is her usual bedtime routine?
Is she napping through the day?

Howisitnotobvious · 12/01/2025 23:52

None of mine have ever slept through as in from 8-6 always woken at least three times in that window. With the older ones I tended to bring them into my king size bed from the point of first wake up, anything from 11-3am. We then co-slept for the rest of the night. We all got so much more sleep than when I spent hours trying to return them to bed fighting their natural instinct to be close to a caregiver at night. It worked well here. I do think some little ones become aware that sleeping alone isn't natural and others don't. It often seems to coincide with big development leaps.

Maxorias · 13/01/2025 02:57

Would co sleeping help with the night terrors ? At least as a temporary fix ?

RP2211 · 13/01/2025 07:29

No illness or significant change. It happened just after we'd come back off holiday.

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RP2211 · 13/01/2025 07:33

Swallowdoubleandrunamile · 12/01/2025 23:44

What is her usual bedtime routine?
Is she napping through the day?

No naps anymore. She has a bath at 7 and asleep by 7:30. (Story included)

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RP2211 · 13/01/2025 07:35

NuffSaidSam · 12/01/2025 22:41

Did anything happen seven months ago to prompt this?

Potty training? New sibling? New home? New bed? Started/moved nursery? Illness?

No illness or significant change. It happened just after we'd come back off holiday.

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Moonlightstars · 13/01/2025 07:36

Is she upset every time she wakes as in scared?

Valhalla17 · 13/01/2025 07:37

I would just co-sleep if waking after you've gone to bed, just have her in with you. Better to get sleep!

RP2211 · 13/01/2025 07:42

Howisitnotobvious · 12/01/2025 23:52

None of mine have ever slept through as in from 8-6 always woken at least three times in that window. With the older ones I tended to bring them into my king size bed from the point of first wake up, anything from 11-3am. We then co-slept for the rest of the night. We all got so much more sleep than when I spent hours trying to return them to bed fighting their natural instinct to be close to a caregiver at night. It worked well here. I do think some little ones become aware that sleeping alone isn't natural and others don't. It often seems to coincide with big development leaps.

Thanks for this. She has started coming into our bed in the middle of the night. How old were your children when they grew out of it?

OP posts:
RP2211 · 13/01/2025 07:43

Maxorias · 13/01/2025 02:57

Would co sleeping help with the night terrors ? At least as a temporary fix ?

This is something we have started so we can all get some sleep. X

OP posts:
RP2211 · 13/01/2025 10:39

Moonlightstars · 13/01/2025 07:36

Is she upset every time she wakes as in scared?

She is yes. Doesn't always want to be touched as well.

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Moonlightstars · 13/01/2025 17:49

I'm usually quite up for doing a bit of quite strict sleep training but in this case I absolutely wouldn't. Personally I would co sleep for a few months and then get her used to sleeping in the bed next to you and then back to her own room.

PrincessAnne4Eva · 13/01/2025 17:56

Oh god I have one of these. We moved house 3 months ago and she will not sleep through in her new room. No advice but lots of solidarity for the broken nights.

RP2211 · 13/01/2025 23:04

Moonlightstars · 13/01/2025 07:36

Is she upset every time she wakes as in scared?

She is yes.

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