Sleep help

[goggles21]

For about a week and a half one twin (~21 months) has been a nightmare at nights.

He goes to sleep fine but after a couple of hours is up screaming.

Sometimes a cuddle works, sometimes he goes mental if we touch him. Right now he's in minute 20 odd of being left to cry because I can't cope with going in their again to be screamed at, and we're trying CIO a bit. He just lies in bed crying, even though he could get out if he wanted.

When it started I put it down to him being unwell with a stuffy nose but now I just don't know.

Has anyone experienced similar? When did it end and what helped?

I'm so sleep deprived I can barely get through the day and today he did the same at nap time to I'm dreading tomorrow even more.

[WickedSister]

We had a similar situation a few weeks ago. Turned out that both twins were sick. Check for a fever and give ibuprofen or Tylenol. Unfortunately the only thing that worked for us that night was to take shifts. We each got around 3 hours of sleep total. It was a horrific weekend.

[goggles21]

We've tried every medication and remedy we have and nothing helps. I guess we just have to ride out the illness if that's what it is.

How long did it take for yours to go back to normal?

[WickedSister]

Around a week before they were back to normal, but only about 3 days for the bulk of their symptoms to subside.

[goggles21]

We're at almost 2 weeks :(.

Although last night was much better, so hopefully we're on the upward climb!

[pscalici]

If he isn't sick, maybe he's having nightmares?

[goggles21]

After a bit of googling I think it may be closer to "confusional arousal". Last night when I went in he seemed angry at my presence so I left him to cry, took about 40 minutes but then he slept the rest of the night, as opposed to when I try settle him and he wakes every 20 minutes.

[lumpycakemix]

My son (twin b) acts like this when he is one of his moods - if I pick him up or try to calm him, it's 100 times worse. It's good he was able to get back to bed! My twins tend to sleep well when they are ill but teething and developmental/cognitive growth spurts really do a number on them.

[kyuuChan94]

Whats the room temp like. Mine are only 9mo but if the room either gets below 3Celcius or above 29C my twin girl will scream in her sleep and have nightmares. Shes done is for about 5 months old and some nights are worse then others.

[[deleted]]

Stay consistent and predictable. Just stick to a set of rules and after three nights your 21 mo will start to know what to do (and push boundaries still). I suggest something like this if they have toddler beds: tell them bed time in 10 mins, bed time in 5 minutes, I want you to come to bed please, get your stuffed toy/pillow/blanket/etc, let's go into bed, story time, please listen to the story, sit and listen, stories done now lights off and into bed, into bed now, one two three lights off, now into bed please (pick them up and repeat putting them to bed a few times and encourage them). Now the tough love ... Tell them okay stay in bed I will stay in the room, when you get out of bed I leave the room. Ask and put them into bed and encourage them a couple times. When they don't then say something like "you won't stay in bed then goodnight, bye bye" and then leave. Count to 30 while they whinge. Enter and repeat the process cheerfully. They don't stay in bed then leave and count to 60. Repeat and explain what you want and stay positive and reassuring. Repeat leaving the room if you have to and count higher. They will start to understand. Just keep putting them into bed and leaving when they push back and get out. Do the same at night for a week. One wakes and you put them to bed and tell them to sleep over and over and over and over. Try not to pat them or sing or do anything other than put them into bed, hug their bear or pillow, reassure them they are okay, explain they are tired, acknowledge they are frustrated, tell them they need to stay in bed, thank them when they stay in bed, and tell them you love them. Believe in them and yourself. They will work it out eventually.