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Can you help/ advise this exhausted mother? 3yr old is sleep stealer.

8 replies

mamabea · 29/05/2008 21:48

Any help/ advice really appreciated. My 3yr old DD wakes at roughly the same time (about 2.30/3am) most nights and will stay awake for a couple of hours each time. We are all crippled through lack of sleep (we also have an 18wk old DD and the 3yr old waking her in between her feeds (DD2 up every 3 hours to feed).
This was going on before DD came along. When asked what's waking her she will give a number of reasons i.e. 'scared' 'finger hurts' I prefer not to have her in bed with us as she really doesn't fall back to sleep. if put back in her own bed she will SCREAM and our neighbours have complained about the noise. Have tried to ensure she has eaten/ drunk/ wee'd/ relaxed enough before bed but nothing seems to have made a difference so far.

OP posts:
posieflump · 29/05/2008 21:50

does she nap in the day?
what time does she go to bed?
is she doing enough exercise?

mamabea · 29/05/2008 21:54

Thanks Posieflump.

No nap since 2yrs
bed at 7.30pm
Yes, really active girl, lots of outdoor play and running about.

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Cathpot · 29/05/2008 22:00

Is she tired and grumpy when she wakes? If not could you give her something to do - like a torch to play with so she is at least happy to stay in bed without bothering anyone or does she have to come and see you? Is she into reward charts and all that blaa? Story book on tape? I'm just trying to think of things that mean you can at least leave her awake to go back to sleep herself.

stripeytiger · 29/05/2008 22:00

Hi mamabea, poor you, sounds like you are really going through it at the moment, it really does wear you down doesn't it. Thankfully both of mine were good sleepers, but on the odd occasions when something went wrong, I found the sleep deprivation the pits, so my heart goes out to you.

Your neighbours sound very unreasonable. Try to ignore them, its not as if you are playing loud music or anything, big big difference to a crying child.

I'm thinking really hard about what could be causing your 3 yr old to wake. Do you think its just become a habit, maybe she's a bit jealous of the baby and doing it for attention? Whatever the reason, its so hard for you. I know it sounds a bit odd, but maybe she's over tired. My ds gave up his day time naps at about 2 but with hindsight I think he would have benefited from having them for much longer, I was always worried that if he slept too much during the day he wouldn't sleep at night. Worth a try maybe, just to see if it works. Maybe let her have a short nap during the day if that works in with your routine and, although its easier said than done, when the baby is napping, try to devote as much time to her as possible. You have a small age gap, similar to mine and its hard, hard work.

Good luck and I'm sure you will get plenty more advice on here.

posieflump · 29/05/2008 22:04

poor you, sounds like you have tried everyhting
the only othr thing I can think of is a stairgat on her b'room door and the tough love approach, it might take a few nights but she'll get the message eventually

micci25 · 29/05/2008 22:07

my dd used to wake at about 5 am and refuse to go back to sleep by 8 she had creashed but i had drunk too much coffee to sleep.

i put an alarm clock in her room and told her that she couldnt come out untill it went off and made sure there were lots of books and teddies to play with in her room. also got her a touch lamp.

she would get to have pancakes for brekkie if she stayed in bed, if she didnt snhe had to have cereal.

mamabea · 29/05/2008 22:11

Thank you so much!!!
Cathpot-oh yes grumpy would usually describe her mood on waking! Although saying that the past few nights very alert and bright so will take on your suggestions. We have a lullaby tape which I could try for the 'bright eyed' ones.

Stripytiger-I think perhaps your right that it's become habitual, it's like her body clock has been set. She won't nap in the day (have tried) but does take a dip before lunch/ and again around 3. Perhaps I will try 'quiet time' when baby is napping. I agree that maybe she is exhausted and this is leading to sleep difficulties. Thanks for your empathy!

Posieflump-tonight is 'toughlove night!' wish me (and the neighbours)luck.

OP posts:
mamabea · 29/05/2008 22:13

Thanks Micci25-another great idea
x

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