Lack of sleep

[VeryTiredSarah]

My DD is now 2.3 and is a nightmare to get to bed and also gets up in the night at least once. Am trying rapid return but got to 30x last night, then cats had a fight which upset her so had to abandon. Trying again tonight but need reassurance that this is going to WORK!!!!!!! She goes better for DH but still takes an hour. All started with teething and now bad habit and big bed made worse. Help!

Hi Sarah,

No advice I'm afraid, my dd is 1.5 and wakes up multiple times and always has. Am walking dead most of the time. But I did want to ask, you have said a big bed makes it worse, why is that, and when did you move your dd?

Hi Rycie
She is in a cot bed with the sides off. We had to do this as she is too big for travel cots so when we go away she has to sleep in a big bed. Boy do I regret taking the sides off now but everyone says not to go back. Silly thing is she was sleeping beautifully until her molars started and now just cries out for me. Walking dead is the case here too. I think it was Christmas when I took the sides off.

If big bed has made it worse, could you try returning to a cot bed? My almost 3yr old is still in hers! Don't know anything about rapid return I'm afraid. Only technique's we have used have been controlled crying (once), bribery, persuasion and trickery.

I have much sympathy over the lack of sleep though, my 11 month old just will not start the day any later than 5/5.30am, sometimes 4.15. Argh.

X posted - of course you can go back! Do it!

You could use it as bribery as well, if she makes a fuss - e.g. if you show mummy you can go to sleep nicely and not make a fuss, then we can take the sides off.

Or maybe a safety rail which feels almost as secure as a cot side?

Hmm did controlled crying when she was smaller and it worked a dream but she now makes herself sick and won't stay in bed. I fear if I put the sides up she will just climb out anyway. She has a safety rail on the side to help her not fall out.

Yes, can see that if she can climb out it wouldn't be a good idea. DD1 hasn't worked out how to do that yet (phew).

Other thing that worked with DD1 when she went through a 'difficult' time around her 2nd birthday (she's also usually a brilliant sleeper) was getting a nightlight. She was previously in a totally dark room, and I think was getting a bit scared or something. We called it her sleepy light, and she turns it on before she gets into bed. Means that if we go into her in the night, we don't turn the main light on, so there isn't that awful 'time for sleep now, light off, cue howling fit' - i.e. it isn't such a big transition from cuddles to back in bed and sleep. Don't know if that makes any sense. And certainly doesn't answer your original question, sorry!