You poor thing Debbie! Please don't feel bad about yelling - I am sure every one of us on here has a similar story. I don't have much advice really, but just wanted to say we went through a stage of seperation anxiety with our DS, and we ended up getting his 'taggie' - a little piece of felt that he sleeps with, which seems to help him. And we also leave the radio on low all night in his bedroom, and I think the sounds of the voices help keep him asleep. Good luck and I know the other girls will have some good advice for you
Debbie,
We have been going through something kinda similar recently, as soon as i read the first line of your post, i went to the bottom to see your DS age... my Monkey (DD) is a bit older, but all sounds familiar, except ours doesn't tend to go for 3 hrs....
Not sure i have much to offer, except that my personal opinion is that it is some sort of developmental stage, whether that be separation anxiety, brains going crazy, language related or whatever.... my DD is never hungry,thirsty,wet, in pain etc either....
My belief that this is just a stage is what helps me to get through times like this (she has NEVER been a good sleeper and lots of people who read these threads will recognise i'm a sort of regular in here!) So, what helps me is to think that there will be an end to this in time even if i do absolutely nothing about it.
That is not to say that i don't get angry with her, our latest issue seems to be initially getting to sleep at night and there has been some door slamming going on here too, so pls don't feel too bad - by this age they need to see that we have emotions too and that their behaviour affects us.
And she hates being held/rocked now, partly because she has less control but i also think its 'cos she gets uncomfortable now she's bigger.
The other thing that helps us, is that when she wakes in the night (always between 1030-230, average is 1130) she just comes into our bed, so we all get sleep. sometimes she's restless and stays awake for a while, but i've learnt to go to sleep beside her! and some people don't want to set up the "habit" - we aren't a good example if you are worried about habit.... We've been doing this since she was 15mo, so about 5mo now.... it works for us.
Apart from big hugs out to you, i would suggest chatting with your DH and deciding if you mind if Aiden co-sleeps with you for a while....
And i'll just repeat, 'cos its so hard not to beat yourself up - please try not to feel bad about getting angry and doing things you normally wouldn't.
I know you'll all get through it when he/you reach a new balance/understanding etc....
My aim is that DD sleeps through the night by the time she goes to school lol!
thanks guys for your responses.
Aiden does have his favourite teddy... well, its actually a bunny rabbit. He has a night light, and a radio playing as well.
I was talking to a friend today, who's little girl is about a month younger, and she is going thru the same thing.
I said to DH this morning that perhaps I should just bring him into bed with us, we are both abit worried about creating a habit, but, I feel like what ever i do to get him back to sleep (other then CC, which i am not keen on) is going to create a habit. Be it a bottle, rocking, patting etc. At least this way, i can get some rest.
He goes down for his day sleeps beautifully, mostly just put him in his cot, and walk out. And he goes off to sleep on his own.
I guess if i put him to bed a night, if he wakes, give him a few shots at going back to sleep, and if no luck, then, bring him to bed before he wakes to much, and once he goes into a deep sleep, put him back into his own cot.
It must be a security thing that they go thru at this age? I hope it doesnt last long.
Kym - my aim was to get Aiden sleeping thru before the new bub comes along.. maybe i will have to revise my goal to school as well!
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