Let me start by saying DS1 has never been a fan of sleep. We've had periods when he's gone to sleep straight away and sleeping through 3-4 out of 7 nights a week but never anything consistent no matter what we do.
So since having DS2 he has worsened. DH and I have been understanding that he is adjusting to the new baby - lots of changes, less attention etc nut it is now at the point where he can take 2+ hours to get to sleep and then get out of bed up to 6 times in a night. Because I'm BFing our DS2 and he is a reflux bub so quite high needs, DH has done all the 'night work' with DS1 and he's getting exhausted, on top of that DS1 is just not getting enough sleep.
So last night we tried the whole 'take him back to bed when he gets out and tell him it's time for bed and say goodnight' thing. Whenever we've tried this he just revs up and thinks it's a game, getting more and more excited until he ends up running in and out of his room. And if DH stays with DS1 until ge falls asleep, it can take 2+ hours for this to happen.
Has anyone got any ideas?? (and I should say we do have a bedtime routine that hasn't changed and DS1 is not being woken by DS2).
We are having similar issues here atm although DS is an only child and is no longer waking multiple times a night, usually only once but he can be up for ages at a time and bedtime is party time and has been for weeks. I am at my wits end and looking for answers too cause it's hard work when you've got to go to work the next day, and try to sound professional and competent!
We have a almost 4 yr old who still has issues with going to sleep. We would sit in her room and sometimes it would take 15 mins other times an hour or so .. I was so sick of sitting in there so we decided to try a different tactic.. She now goes to sleep on the couch or on us and we transfer her to her room. 5nights out of 7 she sleeps through.
and on those nights she does wake she just crawls into bed with us in the early hours. It may not work for your son, but I found once we relaxed and let her fall asleep where we were she settled quickly and rested better over night..
Um, my DS had issues when he was younger doing the same as your DS. It became ridiculous and i would dread nighttime because i would have the battle of getting him to sleep.
Ok, so my DS was 3 in feb. He has been consistently sleeping through since november last year. We got tough.....if he got up he is put straight back in his bed.
We did a solid routine everynight, which is
*clean teeth, wash hands and face.
*Turn light off and turn nightlight on
*Be put into bed by both mummy and daddy and grabs puppy (his comfort toy)
*Have a sip of water and say goodnight to daddy and daddy leaves room
*Talk briefly about what we did that day and what we are doing tomorrow if he is on his best behaviour and does his jobs etc
*Give mummy a kiss goodnight and i love you's said and i leave the room
It took a while but now he just sleeps through and goes to bed easily. Sorry if that wasn't what you were after! Just what worked for us GL hun, i hope he settles for you soon!!! xxx
Thank you for the replies. Sorry it took me so long to respond!
DS1 has improved dramatically! DH lays with him for about 15 mins and generally he goes to sleep without a problem. He's even sleeping through about 3-4 nights a week which is fantastic. We didn't change anything so perhaps he just needed more time to adjust to the new baby.
Thank you all again and good luck with your little ones
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Bedtime woes with 3 yo - out of ideas!
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