We have a two and a half year old daughter, very bright and very good at going to bed. She has been in a bed for 4 weeks now as her little sister now is in the cot. Since then the is waking up screaming and calling mummy/daddy and sometimes gets out of bed. But mostly once one of us get up and tell her we're here, she goes back to sleep. This happens sometimes 4 times a night. We're not sure if its the dark - so we are going to buy a night light. We don't think she's having bad dreams, as her vocabulary is very good, she doesn't say what's wrong. In the morning she doesn't mention what happened at night. She has also starteda saying to us at certain times of day of evening 'don't go away'. We have not left her at any time other than going to the nursery, so there's no history of her being left. The only time I wasn't there was for a week while I was having her sister 5 months ago - but her dad and my mother were with her. She didn't show any problem when her sister came home etc. I wonder whether she now feels vunerable in a bed (though it has the safeguard) as she may feel more secure in her cot. She is a very happy child all day - and never mentions any problem at night.
I dont know but maybe she feels that she has had to malke a big step from baby to a big girl as sleeping in a bed can be a very big thing i know with my neice she loved the idea of sleeping in her own bed. But maybe the idea that mummy has a new baby, maybe she thinks that the new baby has taken her place as the *baby* i dont know! All you can do is reassure her that you love her and your not going anywhere!
poor little girl. It is such a big transition to become a big sister! perhaps a torch under her pillow might help her anxiety? It worked wonders for my son, he thought bugs were crawling out of the pillows, and had a very vivid immagination. Now at 4.5 years he wanders off to the toilet on his own without any mention, and back to bed to sleep... very peaceful.
those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter (Dr Seuss)
If you think she may feel insecure in her bed try buying a bed bar. Made by Tomy and available from Argos this may give her the security she needs while adjusting to her new bed.
Night Terrors - Its quite normal, At two and a half her imagination is starting to develop, lots of reasurence, a night light is a good idea but speak to your health visitor for support, may be she runs a sleep clinic
