My 4 year old son is due to begin school next week. My son has had difficulty in falling asleep quickly until I recall. He finds comfort in finally falling asleep acknowledging I'm in the room and seeks comfort in his tommee tippee milk bottle and soft towel by his side.
I have set a goal to attempt to teach him to go to sleep without me being in the room but its been horrendous and I've been left feeling defeated, exhausted, guilty and sad and end up staying in the room until he gradually drifts. I also wanted to stop the bottle but he has a very poor appetite and i don't know where to start with that one. I feel like I may be setting my goals too high and feel it may be unfair.
Especially because tonight I attempted putting him in his bed countless times, for hours even, but he still just ran out like Usain bolt leaving me physically exhausted and eventually mentally. As its been night 3 of attempting this.
I even considered melatonin but later felt guilty for it as I felt he may become dependant on it, and I also read somewhere a side effect could be heightened aggressiveness which isn't ideal. The thought of having him pop into bed and sleep and remain sleep now seems to be dwindling.
Should I just continue stay in the same room until he sleeps or should I continue to try and 'teach him to sleep on his own' which I read in 'Autistic Logistics' book.
Being barely vocal makes things more tricky.
I just feel like I may need to reassess my goals be more realistic.
Exhausted.
