Toddler sleep issues - At the end of my tether!

FBaby

My boy went through a stage and what I did was a gradual withdrawal. I would lay next to him and cuddle, then sat up in bed, then moved to the floor, then next to the door, and then the other side of the door where he could still see me. I started with more time next to him and gradually reduced it. Each step I would reassure him with soft words.

I think it took about a couple of weeks until all I had to do was to sit by the door for about 10 minutes and only another week or so before he didn't care if I was there or not at all.

GwylimT

Why doesn't your husband just cook?

How much of the illness have you explained to your son?

Ours are co-sleeping at that age so no advice on putting him in another room.

VfM4meplse

Maysie wrote: »

I started staying in my daughter bed with her until she settled. I could nto bear here crying. No talking to much just the odd kiss on the head. Do the yawning so they start yawning. Or try talking slowly maybe a bit of twinkle twinkle but quietly so they have to listen

Now after a minute its go away now I'm tired.

Result.

I remember my mum used to get into bed with us occasionally, and chat to us about stuff, including stories of her childhood and how much she loved us until we fell asleep. I used to wonder how I could ever manage without her. (This thought resolved itself as an adult; although I love her dearly things have moved on a tad ).

Kaye1

My little one was in hospital for a long time after she was born. When we took her home, she would not settle unless there was a noise. We had a lightbulb moment- special care was light and noisy. We gently replicated the noise and light levels and she settled straight away.
Perhaps he got used to having people around all the time?
Personally I'd give him the time and attention for now as he had such a terrible time. Put the tea in a slow cooker in the morning.
Good luck.

melanzana

I have no kids myself so sorry about that first off!

BUT, I did look after baby and toddler nieces and nephews..... a lot. And I do know that is not the same as every day parenting either.

I found that a cuddle and a story, and staying with them for a while quietly, just saying nursery rhymes like a mantra over and over helped.

The best thing to do was to lower their eyelids closed gently with my fingertips if you can picture that. They are ready to sleep but afraid they will miss out on something! So the eyelid thing really worked! Try it.

I sound like one of those Nanny shows. But sometimes kids will play up on parents who try to give too much.

sparkiemalarkie

App for white noise 93p from amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/CWS-Software-LLC-Sleepy-Time/dp/B004V5QWU2/ref=lp_5313894031_1_31?s=mobile-apps&ie=UTF8&qid=1439664967&sr=1-31


worth a try...
sparkie

Wilma33

Can you put him to bed in his own bed and sit in a chair next to his bed? Then (after a week) move your chair to his door. Then just outside the door. Then the top of the stairs. Then you just need to pop downstairs for a 5 minutes. You get the idea...

suejb2

Haven't used this as my two ankle snappers are 13 and 10, so cannot judge it, but it is a no 1 best seller on Amazon. " The rabbit who wants to sleep" added bonus it's half price.

However, when I needed to, I put a top/shirt that either O.H or I had worn that day in bed with d.d or d.s. The familiar 'smell' helped.

thescouselander

I feel your pain as we have a very similar situation in our house. To be honest it could have been worse though. Our DS has never slept well and wakes continuously throughout the night. I can count on one hand the number of nights he has slept through.

In the end we have put an extra bed in DS's bedroom and then retreat down stairs or to our own bed until he kicks off. That makes things more livable in the short term but I'd also be interested in ways to sort this out properly.

SmlSave

I'm currently sitting in my 4yr olds room waiting for him to drop off.....

We started having to be actually in his bed then moved to holding his hand.
Then no hand holding
Then we started moving away till we were out the door.

It took a fair while but worked a treat, at least until he realised his little sister has someone with her!

I think you need to come up with an action plan that you are happy with and stick to it religiously.

I now use this time in his room to catch up with the web