Can anyone point me in a direction for 3yo sleep issues?

Mine has always been a bad sleeper but she has got worse in the last year 
(with the transition from a cot?). Between the 2 of them (6yo, but 90% Miss 
3), I would consider it a good night if I am up 4 times for 20 mins each 
time. Bad nights are at least every hour. I'm starting to find that by 6pm I 
am exhausted and far too crabby - and so are they. Going to bed isn't a 
problem.

Sometimes I go to the crying (last night was 7 times in one hour, plus four 
other blocks) but mostly it seems to have no effect. At times I don't think 
she even realises I'm there and I can't get through to her. Others she'll 
settle, but within 3 minutes, she starts again. Others she'll insist on 
coming to my room. Sometimes I don't go in, and she will eventually come to 
me.

We have a mattress on the floor right next to me, which is used every night. 
It usually doesn't alter the wakenings (but it makes my life a bit easier). 
I have slept in her room, with no effect.While my eldest was away in the 
school holidays (6 nights), I slept in her room, right next door to Miss 3. 
The last couple of nights I was only woken briefly 2-3 times a night, but 
that has happened in the past and wasn't enough for me to think it was 
anything more than a temporary aberration. It returned to normal with her 
sister's return - even though I slept on a mattress outside their rooms. 
Being close to me (and she is a definite Mummy's girl) just doesn't seem to 
be the solution.

The issue is coming to a head because my husband has had an amazing ability 
to sleep through it. He will sometimes wake at 4 or 5 to find me in tears 
and has no idea why - usually that I have been up all night and haven't yet 
been to sleep. However, for the last month, for some reason, it has been 
waking him. So he is at breaking point and telling me we need to do 
something.

I'm concerned about heading off to a sleep guru because I have no intention 
of locking her in her room - and that's what it will take to keep her in her 
room. But it won't stop the crying which I know can go on for hours (and I 
can't sleep through it).

The sleep discussion has focussed on infants - but what about older 
children? Can anyone give me ideas/point me towards something?

Many thanks

Kate


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barbara Glare & Chris Bright" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 9:46 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Infant Sleep - UPDATE


Hi,

If you are interested in Elizabeth Pantley's No Cry Sleep Solution, you can
hear her speak at ABA seminars in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and
Adelaide from March 2nd-7th 2006.  It's going to be fabulous - heaps of
other great speakers, too.  I'd love to be able to direct you to the website
so you can register straight away......but I can't.  It's not finished yet.
The brochures will be out soon, so I'll keep you informed.  For ABA
subscribers and LRC subscribers, you will get information in Essence and
Breastfeeding Review.  The seminars are open to all midwives, mothers,
health professionals of all types, esp those with a passion for
breastfeeding.

Barb
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JoFromOz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 3:21 PM
Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Infant Sleep - UPDATE


> Thanks so much to everyone who replied with advice and well wishes.
>
> Just thought I'd write a short update on our progress.  I have 3 days left
> of my non-dairy diet ... I haven't really noticed a change in Will's skin,
> or daytime naps, but the nights have been a little better the last 2 or 3.
> I have read "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" and began implementing strategies
> on Friday.  I logged our wakings Thursday night, and they equalled 13...
> 11 of which I had to actually do something about.
> The strategy basically involves removing the suck-to-sleep association
> ever so slowly, so that they get used to not having to suck to sleep, and
> therefore don't expect to still be sucking on anything when they slightly
> rouse in the light sleep phase.  I have been waiting until he is almost
> asleep and removing the dummy, so the last thing he remembers before going
> to sleep is not having anything in his mouth.
> It has been working for night sleeps - he goes from about 10:30/11:00pm
> till 3.  HEAVEN!  He then joins us in our bed, where we sleep fairly well,
> on and off the breast, until about 7am. He feeds till almost asleep, then
> pulls off himself and turns his head away.
> Daytime naps need work, but I need to be patient :)
>
> So, things are looking up, and there is no CIO or any other horrible mean
> or nasty strategies.  As Pinky says, Gently With Love.
>
> Thanks again people!
>
> Love Jo
>
> --
> This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics.
> Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
>
>


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