Baby Picky not sleeping :0(

[Picky]

Hi all

Baby Picky is 2 1/2 and I'm due with baby Picky 2, 4 weeks today (eekkk!), and my little man has just decided to stop sleeping, or going to bed easily and I'm so exhausted. There's been a lot of upset in our home over the past few months, I lost my Dad at the end of April and I've been spending a lot of time away at my Mum's, we've moved him into a bed (which he loved for the 1st 3 weeks) but he's now taking an hour to settle at night and he's up and down 3 or 4 times during the night. What should I do??! Please help!!!

Thanks in advance
A very tired Px

[tamborine]

He's insecure away from you.....you sleep when he sleeps! Let him sleep on sofa while you watch tv/blog/cook etc. He wont do it forever how teenage 'little men' need maternal contact ;)

[redcrx]

from what youve said, i think you know that its all the changes that have caused the upset.
Mr CRX went away for a week in May and its taken til now (we are almost there, not quite) to get little CRX (3) to settle at night again.
All you can do is comfort him and try and settle him, make sure hes not feeling like theres going to be a huge change when baby comes along. Hes feeling insecure and at 2.5yrs its a really big thing for a little one.
It takes time and i realise that you are tired so it cant be easy to keep getting up to him.

[Picky]

But he doesn't sleep!! He's not slept at home during the day for probably about a year, although he goes to nursery 3 days a week while I'm at work and he sleeps there 2 hours each day (I know it's his routine there but I just can't get him to do it here!). I don't think I would be finding it so hard if I wasn't 36 weeks pregnant, but it's exhausting, especially as he was such a good sleeper at night before which made up for no napping during the day. I just don't know how I can get him back to sleeping at night!
Thanks for your answer
Px

[Picky]

I've tried so hard to keep things steady for him, but I've had to spend so much time in Norwich with my Dad before he died and my Mum since as she's not doing so well, and it's difficult to split yourself in two. I feel awful that he's suffered as a result and it's the last thing I wanted to do. I just don't know what to do. I love him so much and the fact that what's happened as made him unsettled horrifies me, but I just couldn't not spend time with my Dad. Oh look at me getting all upset! Damn hormones and tiredness!
Px

[redcrx]

oh Picky, Im so sorry, i wasnt saying it was your fault, please dont get upset.
You have done the best that you can with the circumstances, little picky would have possibly got unsettled even with just the anticipation of a new baby.
But all children go through such a stage in life and you will all get through it.
(says she whos just watched her 3 year old push his baby sister over lol)

[Picky]

Don't fret Red, it wasn't you. I'm just at the end of my (very tired) tether. I just don't know what to do and want everything to go back to normal. I't sbeen so hard after losing my darling Dad and I feel responsible for upsetting baby Picky. Even Mr Picky (the worlds nicest man) is getting stressed with the lack of sleep and all the upset, which ofcourse doesn't help matters. Thanks for all your answers
Px

[shanilisa]

Baby Picky might feel insecure in the bed. My son was fine in his bed for a few weeks and then started acting up and not sleeping. After 6 months of this (yes, SIX months) I asked him what the problem was and he said that he felt scared with where the bed was placed. Now he is fine - moved his bed into a different area of the room. Also leave a night light on in the passage outside his room....seems to have helped me.

[Picky]

Thanks shanilisa, it's definately worth a try. Much appreciated
Px

[Picky]

Hi shanilisa

I could kiss you! He's gone striaight to sleep now we've moved his bed to where he cot was. One story and straight to sleep. Hopefully it'll last all night! Thanks all for your sugggestions

px

[Naomicorlett]

Oh I have just welled up .My thoughts are with you. Hope your little one sleeps properly tonight and that you do too.

[Picky]

Thanks - fingers crossed!
Px

[redcrx]

oh picky! that sounds brill!
I hope he sleep soundly all night and that baby picky doesnt have you up all night with trips to loo!

i shouldve thought, little CRX had to have his bed moved too!

[Picky]

Trips to the loo I can cope with - I can go now without even waking up poperly it seems! Sorry for all the soppiness today, hopefully I've pulled myself togther a bit! I'll let you all know tomorrow how the night goes!
Sleep well all!
Px

[redcrx]

hey, if you cant have a good teary moan when pregnant, then when can you?
youve got a lot on your plate and pregnancy is emotional enough in itself.
have a good night x

[shanilisa]

Oh I am so glad for you! Funny little things children hey? Mine had his moved to exactly where his cot had been and he was fine!

[redcrx]

are you all still asleep :)

[Picky]

IT WORKED!!!!!!! Hurrah!!! Thanks so much for your suggestions (and I wish I was Red!!) He woke up at 8am, after sleeping all the way through from 7.45pm the night before. He's been in a much better mood today, as have I and I am so grateful for your help. Funny little thing!! Let's hope it lasts!

Thanks again

Px

[Naomicorlett]

Hooray Hooray . That's so good.

[redcrx]

oh wow, thats brilliant!

shanilisa, how can i get my 14 month old to sleep through (she does 2 nights a week 7pm-8am and then rest is up once or twice in night for bottle!

[shanilisa]

Hi Red

LOL - I really am not some sleep guru, but what about putting the bottle in the cot with your baby to find...worked with mine and I did not get woken up. He would wake up, reach for the bottle, drink and then go back to sleep.