3 and a half year old won't sleep

[Kitty-kat]

Hello new to this group but any advice will be welcomed but my 3 1/2 year old won't sleep at night we do all we can during the day with him! It's driving me bonkers. Me and my partner are not sleeping as we are up and down all night with our son.

[SC94]

My son was similar took ages get him to sleep at night. We removed all toys so his room is really plain just a bed and a unit. He has his bed toys that he cuddles but that's it. We found that taking any distractions away helped and we leave the window on latch so it's safe but the fresh air during the night helps too. Baths just before bed seem to settle them and a story. My son got into a routine so he knew he needed to sleep after bath and story time. It's hard but sometimes unless it's for the toilet or urgent ignore him. He will keep going until you go into his room because he knows you will.give in. It's really hard to not go to see them I cried for first few.nights we did it but he sleeps 12 hours now. Also we put a baby gate on his door. We found spending a little time with him in his room helped it's as though they register it as a safe place if you're there so maybe taking a toy up at dinner time for half an hour and playing in his room may help him settle in there? We got stickers for his walls that he chose which he liked made him feel in control of his own room.

It took a while but all these things together really helped us and I hope it helps you too.

[Kitty-kat in reply to SC94]

Thank you I will try that.

[Dad101]

Having a regular and consistent bedtime full of sleep signals including cuddling, reading, and bathing can help. Also I have heard great things about this book on woman's hour.

amazon.co.uk/Rabbit-Who-Wan...

My first was up every 10 minutes for a good year, my second not so bad but you do have to be tough and their will be tears.

[misslissa]

No, I'm sorry but you do not have to leave a child. All that is instilling is that the people that they love and trust most in the world won't come to them. How is that possible a good thing.