3 yr old Sleep Issues- Help!!

Molly

My 3 year old was a good sleeper until she got potty trained. Now she is waking up multiple times at night, but not always to go to the bathroom. Some nights its as many as 6 times. I feel like I have a newborn. I am exhausted! Sometimes she needs to go to the bathroom, but it's also, wanting a drink, a yogurt pouch (or 2 🥺) , a prayer, stories, singing a song. Once I say the prayer, sing the song and tell a short story, she wants me to do it all over again. Or she'll want me to come in her room just to fix her blanket. I would let her figure it out and cry or do what she needs to do, but she has acid reflux and if she gets upset she starts gagging. She is on medicine and we have her bed raised which is helping. But her wanting a snack in the middle of the night is not helping that situation. My sister recommended this sleep training method that involves locking your child's door at night. I don't think that would work and it seems really harsh to me. Plus, what do I do about her needing to go to the bathroom? A potty chair? I got her a toddler alarm clock where it turns green when it's time to get up but she totally ignores it. Someone please help. I am not getting enough sleep which makes me function at less than the best during the day. And she is not getting enough sleep either because she is so cranky and whiny all the time. My husband tells me I give her what she wants too much and it's making her that way. I just want peace and sleep so I give her what she wants. But it's backfiring. Help!

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COMMENT (3)

Ki

Posted at
Most children when learning how to be potty trained will do the "newborn reversion" where they wake up during the night to go. Its completley normal and they eventually (after a few weeks) stop doing it as they learn to control the urge better. You may want to limit liquids an hour nor so before bedtime and get into the habit of doing a final potty immediatley before bed. Then just ride it out.Where you've gone ABSOLUTLEY wrong is allowing a habit to begin where they awaken to go potty and you allow them to snack, play, pray or have a story. When they get up you put them on the toilet and then right back to bed without delay.Now that the habit has begun, you are going to have some challenges in breaking it. If you are firm in your resolution, within a few days, it should end. There will be crying and carrying on. You will loose sleep, but the sooner you do it the better off you will be.Best of luck. Hang in there.

Mo

Molly • Jan 13, 2021
Thank you for your advice.

ca

Posted at
I would just take her to the bathroom and then put her right back in bed. Maybe stay in her room with her for a few nights so she doesn't cry? I get that, especially with her having reflux. But just be really boring and calmly refuse stories etc "we are going to bed now" give her a snuggle and then sit there all boring-like. Hopefully soon she'll get the picture there are no fun things or snacks and just go back to sleep. I am no expert though; my three year old still needs me to stay by her dang bed to fall asleep at night and then she sneaks into our bed at approximately 1-2 am. Working on it! Good luck to you!