i know this will have been asked time and time again..... but I'm at the end of my tether and completely exhausted.

Our DS has always been a good sleeper - he has sttn from 14 weeks (so this is prob the reason why this is killing me now....) from 7 to at least 7. We have been well and truly spoilt.

In the last two months he has woken up lots.... can deal with that.... but in the past few weeks he will not go in his cot. He cries and screams and stands at the bars. When we pick him up he stops immediately. we have resorted to co-sleeping and he instantly falls asleep in our bed. This is a habit we need to break as I am pregnant again and this is the only way he will have his naps now! I know we've created a rod for our own backs but when you are exhausted you go for the easy option don't you? He wakes on average two or three times a night.

I have tried controlled crying, pick up put down, sitting with him, laying with him, night light on, night light off, light show (he cries when this finishes), he follows the same bath bottle bed routine he has always followed.... and the only way he settles is in our bed. I have tried a consistent approach and stuck to it but to no avail.

He has begun walking and also cut a few teeth recently so i am aware of all the developmental changes turning 1 brings with it. But I am so sleep deprived and i am arguing with my husband too as to what we should do (he is a lot more patient with me but will be back at work whilst I will be looking after the kids.)

So sorry this has been long, I just perhaps need to know I'm not alone and to 'ride it out'.

Thanks ladies

Could you maybe put him in a bed and then leave him in his room to get on with it and eventually put himself to bed?

We've never really had sleep problems but did put DS in a bed at about 13 months, we put a stair gate across his door and he'd stand at that and cry on and off for 20-30 min. After a couple of weeks he'd stand at the gate and talk to himself and then put himself to bed after 20-30min without tears.

thanks rach, we are looking to move him into another bedroom when LO arrives so will prob turn cotbed into bed then. I really think he hates being restriced in his cot!

Some children just hate being in cots - i had two extremes. Eldest in bed at 13 months and youngest is still in her cot at 26 months!