another sleep thread - 2 year old

[nikki73]

My daughter turned 2 in October. For at least a year now she wakes up nearly every night screaming her head off for attention. It'll go on until one of us goes to sleep on the floor next to her, and even then it can take a while. If we don't cave in we are usually awake from 4.30-6. For the past 3/4 months we've been giving in: second pregnancy was hell because of it, with a new baby we would have done anything for some sleep. We've tried everything: cuddles and reassurance, controlled crying, we are now on day 3 of the gro clock etc... nothing works. It's really affecting our family life. Also my daughter looks and behaves tired a lot of the time. Any ideas please? Can a GP help? I know she can sleep because she did for 10 days at my parents, and for a week after the birth of her sister. thanks

[Fuschia]

Is the bSby in your room with you? I suspect what underlies this is the whole change thing, plus you going in for a while, but now wanting to stop.

Have you thought about letting her sleep on a little mattress in your room?

[Monkey]

Poor you! I would definitely speak to your GP about it and try and get a referral to King's sleep clinic. I have not used it but people have said really good things about it on this forum.

[chelle184]

Yes definately speak to your GP.

Just an idea but have you tried a star chart? Showing her before bed the chart! (be imaginative and put her favourite cartoon pictures on it, perhaps an old magazine with peppa in cut them out and put them

On the chart) Buy her fav stickers and show her before bed the chart and stickers explain if she stays in her bed all night and doesn't scream or call mummy or daddy in the night then she will get a lovely 'peppa' sticker which will lead to doing something very special. If she does do it then maybe reward by doing something fun playground going to the cafe for a Babichino and a biscuit etc.....

If she does wake up and u have a monitor firmly remind her on the talk bit there will be no sticker in the morning if she does not go back to sleep! If she calls after that then no sticker and remind her in the morning there is no sticker because she didn't sleep all the way through the night and she kept calling mummy and daddy!might take a few nights but it might work!!!

She has got herself in a habit and she justneeds a little help to try and break it.

Good luck and I hope you all get some well deserved sleep soon!

[Saffron]

If it's night time separation anxiety, I agree a little mattress in your room might help. Controlled crying is not recommended for children with night time separation anxiety, but there are many other sleep techniques available. Seek the help of a professional who will respect your chosen parenting style and work within your limits to find a solution. xx

PS: Edited to say that my 2 yo still wakes up at night too, grrr. Much sympathy for you! xx

[duchessofdulwich]

Our two year old dosent cry but gets up a knocks on our door till one of us gets up!? We have to settle her back in her bed I think they just need reassurance at this age? The funny thing was on Saturday she went all day without a nap and we still had a bad night with her...

[hanstands]

Sometimes going back to a long, calm, cuddly, loving, storytelling bedtime routine done consistently over a week or two or three can help re-settle her in the night [though I know this ain't ideal with a babe there too but neither is the wake-ups]. This helped our two year old when he was just two.

[nikki73]

Thank you all. Fuschia it started before my second pregnancy but I am sure the new baby hasn't helped. Unfortunately, she won't stay on a mattress without one of us there. I really wouldn't mind co-sleeping if she would sleep. But she doesn't: she jumps on us, screams etc She basically thinks night time is a good time to play. Hanstands we do loads of reading and cuddling but that doesn't work either. Yesterday was the worst night in weeks, her screaming then giggling for over 3 hours and baby waking every few hours because of a cold. My poor neighbours. Going to GP today, hopefully I'll get a referral. Thanks for the sleep clinic tip Monkey. Have tried bribes it hasn't worked but will try the star chart maybe that'll work better as she's really in to "twinkles". She doesn't speak yet so I have no clue whether she's scared (doesn't look like it ) or teething or just insomniac! If all of this doesn't work, I might just move her sister to her room. Maybe her presence will help. In the meantime I'll carry on with my caffeine diet...