Posted: 22/06/2011 at 09:09
Hi there! I have 21 month old twin boys. When my boys were around 16ish months, one of my 2 started doing exactly what your little one is doing. He went to bed ok but would wake about 11-12am and would scream the house down, until, we went and sat with him or brought him in our bed. As soon as I would walk away or put him back in his cot he would scream again, so we were up and down for a good few hours every night. He would eventually fall asleep in our bed and then we would put him back. About 5 weeks ago, this was happening and I walked out his room and left him screaming, then heard a thud and he had climbed out of his cot. He had not done this before and knew that he would do it again now done it once. So the next day we put the boys in their toddler beds. they were 18 months. Ben who had been ok in cot remained ok in bed, however max continued the middle of night waking for hours on end. I eventually came to the end of my teather about 3 weeks ago and went to see my health visitor. I felt so sleep deprived and could feel myself losing it! lol! She sat me down, I had a good cry and she told me to do the following:
When he first wakes in the night, go in to him, put him back in bed/cot and say night night max, it isnt time to get up yet, mummy will see you in the morning, then kiss him on head and walk away.
I have a baby gate on door, I dont shut door, so he followed me to there. She said to leave him screaming and DO NOT go back in no matter how much he screams/ stomps etc. She said a baby/toddler this age can only last screaming for around an hour before they will burn themselves out. She said what has been happening that everytime i was going back in to him i was giving him the attention he was wanting and he was now waking out of habit and doing it for the attention. She told me it would take around 3 nights and I would see a huge improvement.
Until this point I didnt believe in controlled crying, but at this point i was willing to try anything! I was concerned that he would wake his borther up as they are in the same room, but she said he shouldnt! and to my surprise he didnt! not sure how like! lol!
any ways the first night of the health visitors sleep training advice, he woke at midnight, i went in did what she said then walked out, he screamed for around 45 mins and then on his own accord got back in bed and slept til 7am! i couldnt believe it! second night he woke again, i went in did her thing then walked, he screamed for 10 mins, then went back to bed and slep til 7! third night was only about 5 mins. 4th night and ever since he hasnt woke up and has slept through from 7-7!
So it really worked for us. She said that some people reccomend going in after say 20 mins of crying to reassure them but she said that i would basicallly be going back to square one and it best to do it the harsh way.
i had 2 weeks of them both sleeping through and bugger me ben has started now! tonight will be day 2, so i am hoping that by tomorrow or fri night they will both be sleeping through again!
I just wanted to share my story with you, as I was getting so knackered and feeling upset with everything. it was starting to effect my relationship.
sorry post is so long!!
Hope you get sorted soon hun
