WWYD with this sleep problem?

[nickytwotimes]

Ds is 2.5, and was always a 'good' sleeper. He slept 12 hours a night from 6 mths until he was about 2.2. Yes, yes, I know I was lucky.

Anyway, ove rthe winter he had umpteen colds, his molars came in and he started waking for a quick comfort in the night, then snuggled down almost as soon as I entered his room and nodded off. However, he is now perfectly healthy, but his sleep is very disturbed. I get teh feeling he is 'putting it on' at time too. It is not always genujine crying, he is pretending, but SO LOUDLY that I fear it will wake our neighbours in the town cemetry.

SO, what do we do? DO we carry on going in? He snuggles dow for 10 mins then starts up again and it can go on for hours.

He will not co-sleep adn he doesn't nap.

ANy input very much appreciated.

i think this age is a classic age for needing reassurance as well as the prime age for a bit of a manipulation!

you could try shouting from your room that it is sleepy time and you will see him in the morning

Ah, yes, reassurance and manipulation - a rotten combo!

The gradual retreat method?

Do you think he needs naps in the daytime?

What's the gradual retreat method?
He doesn't actually mind when we leave the room, he just wants us to bloody come back umpteen times.

Nah, I don't think he needs a nap. He will have a quiet half hour in fornt of CBeebies after lunch which refreshes him.

You start by sitting right next to his bead reassuring him until he falls asleep. Then each day you gradually move further away from him, but still verbally reassuring him until he drops off. Do this until you're pretty much sitting in the doorway, then the next step is reassuring them outside of a closed door.

I think the theory is you are reassuring them but still teaching them to drop off by themselves.

AH, yes, I see.
Well, that would be something I'd try, but quite often he dismisses me after he has seen me! "You go to your bed now Mummy!" he says. little imp!

What a little monkey

Would a baby monitor do? Or two-way walkie talkie? So he can hear you and DH reassure him or something? Or how about one of those clocks where the picture changes when it's time to get up?