Need some ideas?

Question

I have a two year old daughter. She co-slept with us because she has really bad seperation anxiety.
We moved her into her bed right next to ours when she was 1 1/2. She still woke up about 3 times a night though. Eventually it went down to once or twice, and sometimes we were lucky to have her sleep all night.
After a while we moved her bed int o her big sister's room. Our night time routine is to read a few books with low light, and then close the door, then I tuck each child into bed. Oldest first because she is not a problem. Never was really. Then it is off to the baby. Sometimes she neede some help, like he laying down with her, or rubbing her back. But still woke up 3 times. I found this part acceptable.
These past two weeks I don't know WHAT is going on! She is a mess!!! She cries until 10 or 11 at night! And wakes up 4 times a night!!!
Thoughts as to what this could be? How to change it? Pregnant with #3 due in summer, so we want this issue resolved asap!
Thanks!

Thanks for the ideas. NO, my DH and are do not fight much. There are no changes what so ever with anything. That is why I am scratching my head.

Answer 1

I also am in somewhat the same situation but mine are boys, I don't know if what I say may work for your girls or not but it is worth a try. In our house there is the 15 minute rule, our kids are allowed to be upset and crying for 15 minutes straight(and if needed doors closed) before we go in and re-check on them afirm to them the routine that it is bed time. I had quite the challange from breastfeeding to bottle feeds when it came to putting both of them to bed. I had to come up with different routines for different stages of their development. Right now that the oldest is potty training I have to add the potty step before bed time...it really is consistancy. If you don't keep up the same routine for the habit to stick then it really makes for a fight on your hands. My second son was a premie and cosleeping was a way for me to nurse and sleep as he nursed quite often during the night now though he isn't nursing through the night which is nice. It is just would be nice if he would go to sleep ealier but that has to do with his naps, could her naps during the day be interfering with her sleeping at night, and she now may be actually seeing the changes of mommy and is scared and needs some reasurances from both you and daddy that she isn't being replaced, maybe trying to get her involed with the birth may help. Try reading "magiic 1-2-3" it may give you some ideas as it helped me quite a bit. Hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 2

You sound a bit like what we did. I have an only daughter who is now 5 1/2. We co-slept (big mistake) starting at 9 months and lasted until about 2 1/2. Why? Because we needed SLEEP and that was the easiest way to get it.

So we put a toddler bed at the end of our adult bed, then over time put it in her own room. It worked great.

BUT, FYI, while she is still good most of the time, she still has her episodes. Now that she is over 5, we explain to her that what she is doing isn't being good (she'll get up out of bed and run around the hallways, peek into our room, wait for us to be in our BR before even attempting sleep because she is uncomfortable without everyone in their place). But again, she is 5 and you're having a problem with a 2 year old.

Has she had bad dreams? That was our most recent issue...came into our room at 3am whimpering. Maybe that's why she is afraid to go to sleep.

The only thing I can think of is to let her cry it out. If she were older, I would use reward and/or punishment, but I don't think a 2 year old would understand.

Answer 3

Your doing really good! She may just be testing you to see how fast you will come running, but since she is waking up again so much in the night, you may just have to work through it. Once you put her down for the night, let her cry. This really sucks, I know. But you've established a routine with night time stories, night lights, teddy bears and tucking in and that is perfect! Now, she has to cry and you have to let her. If you have a boom box, get a childrens CD with relaxing kids songs and turn that on once you leave the room and that may be a good new distraction. But when she wakes up in the night, if you peek in on her and make sure she's alright, then go back to bed. She has slept so close to you her whole life, this is really a big change for her and it takes a long time to adjust. Some time longer for some then others, but don't fret...your doing fabulous!

Answer 4

I am assuming that there is nothing obvious that has changed recently to disturb her sleeping or you would have told us, right?

I think that her being in a bed so young is probably not the best idea, however, putting her back in a crib once she has been out may not be the best idea either.

What does she want when she wakes up? If it is simply attention, then there are ways around that issue. Is her stomach upset, does she need water, is she hungry, is something waking her up? The solution really depends on her behavior when she gets up at night.

Answer 5

I work at a daycare around kids all the time and I also have over ten nieces and nephews...A question would be, Do you fight with your husband at all around her? Thats a possiblity. What she sees can be more to her than her know. Also what she sees on TV can be a big problem. Sometimes, kids go through a phase and there isn't anything you can do. But mostly monitor what she sees as best you can. Good luck!

Answer 6

She is 3 years old and sleeps right in the bed next to her parents. Her baby brother is only 1 year old and sleeps by himself in a crib in another room.
Let her sleep in "the family bed" or in her own bed next to you. Whatever it takes for both she and you to get a good nights sleep.
Every child is different.
Look up information about this online or discuss with your pediatrition.
Good luck.

Answer 7

This is the time that children can start having nightmares. I would keep a close eye on what she is seeing on TV. Their little imaginations run away with them. It also could be some anxiety about the new baby. Teething. I'd talk to your pediatrician.

Answer 8

She could be having night terrors.Try a fun nightlight (like the one that dispalys familiar characters (i.e. Mickey Mouse, Elmo) on the wall.They can be found for around 6 dollars.

Answer 9

I used a radio set to soft classical music at low background volumn when son came home from hospital. began sleeping all night at two weeks.