Routine out the window!

[Vally]

My lo is 20 months and I am due to have number 2 next week so really need some help before the sleepless nights begin again.

DS has always been a good night sleeper usually sleeping 11 or 12 hours. He has recently been waking early at 5ish which I think could be teething but I just do wi wo as determined to not let him get up before 6am. I can't get him to sleep in the cot during the day any more so he usually falls asleep on the sofa sitting next to me, in the car or buggy. Because of EW he is often having his nap at 11am. Is this too early and will this just add to the Ew problem. I desperately need a more fixed routine before number two. Help

[*Becky*]

Hi there,
If he is up at 5 he is probably ready for a nap at 11am tbh.
Are you giving meds for the teeth? It might be worth trying some like a df meds to see if it helps. WIWO is not really intended for use when they are sick or teething.
What time does he go to bed?
Becky x

[Vally]

Thanks for your reply. He goes to bed at 7 -730pm. I think I should try some meds. Should I do this before bed or when he wakes? You mention wiwo not used for when teething. What should I be trying? Also, do you suggest that I try and make him take his naps in his cot rather than relying in the pushchair, car or cuddled up to me?

Thank you

[*Becky*]

well I would do meds somewhere in between. If you wait until he wakes at 5am it is unlikely he will go back to sleep even if he is a bit tired as he has already slept quite a bit so I would try them around 1/2am. I know - horrid but if it works then you both might get some more rest. You could try with a syringe like a df but only if he is not a tummy sleeper.
I would bring bedtime earlier for sure to more like 6/6.30pm and see if it helps - if he is up at 5am and going to bed at 7/7.30pm that is a looong day.
I would want to get him napping in his cot for sure so you can get some rest...does he completely refuse it? How long has that been for?
Does that help?

[Vally]

Thanks. I will try earlier bed time. He has rarely consistently napped in his cot which is my fault. As I work 3 days per week, his day tends to vary depending on where he is. I guess I have gone for the easy option of letting him fall asleep when we are out and about or by letting him sleep on me when I am not working. I love his cuddles but know it is not going to work with two children. When I try him in his cot he just stands up and crys. I try lying him back downburst then after 10 mins I give up and bring him back down and let him fall asleep on my lap. At nursey he does go to sleep at set times on a sleep mat and about 6 months ago my mum got him napping on her travel cot when she looked after him.

How should I go about getting him back to his cot

[Tweakster]

We do meds before bed - usually 1/2 hour - and then DF of meds 6-7 hrs into night sleep.  Finn's a tummy sleeper and it can still be done.  They are usually out of it at that time in night sleep so they barely even notice and go right back to sleep.

I agree to get him napping back in his room especially with #2 on the way - even when he drops his nap it's going to be rest time still.  You will need the break!  To get him back in I would do GW or you may have to be firmer with WI/WO at this point. 

[Vally]

Thanks Wendy. Think will try meds in night as DF as suggested. He was up again at 530am this morning.  He was wide awake and after many attempts of trying to get him back to sleep realised it was not going to happen. As I was feeling so tired took him inti our bed hoping that he would sleep. Not a chance! He will prob need to nap at 1030am and this will have to be in the car as we have to go out this morning. As he will prob only have 20 mins should I give him another nap this afternoon or try and do without and put him to bed at 630pm?

[*Becky*]

I would try for another nap and see.

[Tweakster]

Me too, with only 20 mins in the AM you should be able to get some kind of PM nap, even if it's short.

[Vally]

Ok. So when managed to get some meds in during night he did have some better wake times such as 7 and 730am. My DH and I have both been suffering with sore throats and headaches and lo has developed cough. The last few days have been worse with last night  6 wakings. As I think he is not 100% I  using gradual withdrawal as I don't feel happy to leave him. Is this right? I am worried that after being such a good sleeper he is going to start waking all the time and need us to stay until hd falls asleep!! And as due with number 2 in jan feeling bit anxious. Do you think this is linked to cough and possible sore throat? Am I doing the right thing? And what method should I use to get back on track when he is better?

[*Becky*]

I think you are right to use GW if he is sick. WIWO is only intended for use when they are well. Once he is better I would use WIWO.
Try not to worry, coughs are notorious for sleep disruption. We will be here to help once he is feeling better.
bx

[Vally]

Thank you for the reassurance. I will continue to use GW until he is better and then try wiwo.

Will keep you posted

[Vally]

Ok. He seems better although is still coughing a little. For the last few nights he has gone to bed at 7ish but it has taken up to 45 mins of GW to get him off. We have been having a few wakings before 11pm ish and then nothing until the morning which is better but he is waking at 545am and although he us still tired he generally won't go back to sleep. Should we start wiwo now for night wakings or should we keep going with GW? He just seems to have lost ability to go to sleep without us there.

[*Becky*]

I think if he is def better and he was sleeping independently before all this began then WIWO may be the better option. WIWO tends to work better for those lo's who know how to get themselves to sleep. That is what I would do.

[Vally]

Just thought I would give a quick update. The gw def seemed the right method as he was obviously teething or not himself as he is much more settled and sleeping solidly. We still need to wait in his room for 10 or 15 mins before he is happy to drift off but this is fine for us.
Thanks for your help. Until the next challenge!!!