Sudden toddler nightwaking- what do you do about it?
I was hoping for some advice from you ladies- I mostly lurk here but I have posted a few times. My almost 15-month-old DD has slept peacefully through the night in her crib since she was 4 months old, until 2 weekends ago- H and I went away for the first time, leaving her at home with my in-laws who she adores. She had a great time and we received glowing reports when we got back...
She hasn't slept since. She wakes up screaming for me several times a night and will not go back into her crib. I brought her to the pedi and she says it's separation anxiety, which I know is normal at this age. We have been bedsharing after the wakeups and she sleeps peacefully once she is in our bed.
I guess I am just looking for the AP perspective on this- I don't really want the bedsharing to be permanent. I am hoping she will eventually be reassured enough to sleep in her crib again- I am a SAHM who is happy to devote my days to her, but at night I need the break to recharge. I am starting to feel drained and resentful without that break. Anyway, any and all advice would be appreciated. Sorry this got so long!
Re: Sudden toddler nightwaking- what do you do about it?
Um....41 views and no response....so, I'll put in my two cents....
Not sure on the official AP perspective, I take some of it and leave some of it as it's worked for me.
With DS (my first) we nursed, bedshared for a few months exclusively, then phased out parts of the night by putting him in bed first, and only bringing him in bed at his 2am feeding.
Near the 15 month mark, we had transitioned him into his toddler bed, however, that was met with many night wakings. He often tried to come into our bed, but, like you, needed my sleep (and my body back; we'd just stopped nursing too).
It was tough- but we stuck to our plan of not allowing him back in bed. I cuddled him in his bed, kneeling down, practically laying in it with him sometimes. My DH and I would take turns sitting with him, rubbing his back, and singing, etc. We came up with new bedtime routines to make the transition easier...and after a few months (It wasn't a quick fix, for sure!) he was sleeping through the night again.
Good luck! I'd say, however, if you don't want your LO in bed with you, stand firm on not bringing her in bed-- it is really that much harder when you give in a few days and then change your mind later.
I was going to say the exact same thing. (Except she had just started STTN not long before the molars started.) It lasted and was pretty predictable for a couple of weeks before it got better again. Now it's back to every once in awhile. (Guess as the molars move on her.)
DD2 8.22.13
MMC 1.4.17 at 16w
Expecting #3, EDD 1.29.18