Sleep problems at 3.5 - time for professional help?!

[Scarlett77]

Hi all,
I am approaching my wits end over my DDs sleep habits. She wakes every night at least twice and, although she normally goes straight back down again, I just don't know how to break the habit.
As all the books say, we have worked hard on her bedtime and she now goes to bed like an angel so is well able to get herself to sleep but still totters in to see us on average a couple of times each night. I am strict about returning her straight to her room and she doesn't come into our bed until her sun clock tells her to in the morning. The only concession I sometimes make is letting her have a story CD if she seems particularly unsettled.
I would consider a gate on her door but we are about to have a new baby (37 weeks) and I don't think it's a good idea at this stage. I had been so hopeful that committed work would pay off over the last few months but its not
working!
In all other aspects she seems very settled at the moment, happy at nursery, excited about the baby and being very good. She naps some days but not others and I've kept careful notes about her sleep habits and can't see any patterns.
Will she just grow out of it? I am worried about never sleeping again once the new baby arrives and I am breastfeeding. I am also desperate for a full nights sleep!! My DH is great with her but just doesn't wake up when she comes in and his reactions are too slow so I am doing it all.
Is it time to call in the professionals?? Do they actually work??

[BranchingOut]

I wonder if pretending to be asleep even though she has woken you might help?
Or getting your DH to handle it for a few nights while you sleep elsewhere?

Or one of those glow in the dark soft toys?

[JofromHull]

I feel your pain! My 3.5yr old DD has been waking in the night on-and-off for a few months now. She goes to bed with no problems at all, but a few times a week she either wails "mummyyyyy" from her bedroom or hurtles into our room crying her eyes out. Even when it's just that she's thirsty (she has a drink by her bed that she ignores) or needs a wee (she's quite capable of going without help), she still bawling like she's devastated and wants us. She most often goes back to sleep straight away, but this week it's getting silly - 5 times for the last 2 nights - and I'm really tired.

Our youngest has just turned 1 and I've put it down to adjustment to having a younger sibling that needs our attention too.

Teddies to keep her company haven't worked in the past, but a friend suggested trying a glow worm toy, so I might try that. Also thinking of a star chart with a reward like feeding the ducks or cinema afetr 3 or 5 stars.

I'll come back in a few days to update! Any other suggestions?

[tigersmummy]

I would visit a chiropractor. They are brilliant at sorting sleeping, feeding and behavioural problems through manipulation techniques. I took DD 2 months as she was unsettled and she is a lot better although hard to tell whether she would have settled down in time anyway. However on the back on that visit I took DS nearly 5 as we have been struggling with his behaviour - he's moved house, started school and had new sister this year so loads going on - and the change has been incredible. Well recommended.

[Oldladypillow]

I wouldn't trying at 39 weeks. Whatever you do will be undo e when the baby is born.
Dc1 (3) still wakes in the night but I put done boundaries in. If he wakes he has to make his own way to me. I put a nightlight in the hall to help and if he wants to get in my bed he has to go straight to sleep no arguments. He isn't humoured if he sits in bed yelling for me unless I thi k he might be ill. I found putting him back in his bed more work for me and made the problem worse for him. Now he isn't waking every night and not really disturbing me if he does. Sometimes I wake up in the morning with him fast asleep next to me and I've been none the wiser!