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3yr old sleep: suddenly scared during bedtime/overnight

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TheCaretakerNadine · 14/01/2025 01:57

I am currently writing this as I am standing outside my 3yr olds room, waiting for him to sleep.

He has always been a dodgy sleeper, but we sleep trained him using gradual retreat in a really slow manner 1yr ago. It took us 2 months-we got to a stage where: at bedtime, after his book, cuddles and lights out, we'd leave for him to fall asleep alone. He would have 0-2 nightwakes, where we'd offer water, and then leave again as he'd fall asleep himself. This was bliss for the last 9 months.

In the last week, he starts crying when we leave, and demands someone sleep next to him as hes 'scared'. He has a bright night light and hallway light is on outside.

Thankfully he has 1 nightwake, but again cries if we leave.

I am adamant that I dont want to cosleep with him or have him come into our room- he has the potential to sleep alone....we have a 1yr old who cosleeps with us and I go back to work next week, absolutely terrified that this isnt sorted.

When we sleep trained, the last step was standing outside his room...and this is what ive been doing at bedtime and the one nightwake. It seems to work but is taking ages!

Does anyone have any other tips? Or is this a case of riding through?

Thanks x

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