Toddlers and Bad Dreams

[monicat]

For the last few weeks at night Charlotte has been waking up at 2.30,3,3.30,4 etc, which is unusual for her as she normally sleeps fairly well. She is nearly 18months old.

When she wakes up she's yelling out "Mummy gone, Daddy gone" etc, and she won't go back to sleep until one of us goes in there and lays her back down. I have left her to cry for a little while to see if she'll settle herself back to sleep, but usually one of us has to go in and reassure her "we're still here" etc.

Do you think she's having bad dreams, or is it just a developmental stage? There's no sign of any teeth so I don't think it's that. I don't mind having to reassure her we're still there, but I'm getting about 4 hours sleep a night, and I'm getting tired

Any tips / suggestions / advice??

[jopm]

i can't offer specific advice as DS is only 6mths... but I've heard its very common at that age to have nightmares and night terrors. I hope that helps ... good luck and lots of cuddles

[~*Bron*~]

human brain development occurs fastest in the first 2 yrears and lots of 18m olds ramp up the feeding from then till 2 yrs. so it could be part of this? so yeah, a developmental stage.

you could bring her into your room?

[monicat]

I've tried bringing her into our bed, and she just thinks it's time to get up and play!! I've never been able to get her to actually sleep in our bed! She also asked me for boobs the other day (she never asks!), so she had 5 feeds instead of the 4 I normally give her. Maybe I'll try offering her a few more BF. Can't hurt!!

[Tracymumto6]

James had terrible night terrors. We couldn't wake him. He'd just scream and throw himself around it was really scary. Started around 2 and went on for about 2 years on and off.

Night Terrors

If she's waking it probably isn't night terrors, but night mares and bad dreams.