1 year old waking at night

QUESTION

My son is 1 year old and just after he was 6 months we did sleep training with him and it worked wonders!! He has been sleeping from 7-5:30 every night, but since a few weeks ago he started waking up upto 4-5 times a night. One of us then goes into his bedroom, lays him back down, gives him his dummy and then we have to sit there till he falls asleep again, if we walk out before he is asleep he screams again! I do not want to start a bad habit again of him always needing us there in order for him to fall asleep again, but he cries endlessly if we just leave him!

What do we do? Will it pass again or what must we do to get a good nights sleep again?

ANSWER

Firstly, rule out the basics - is he well? Has he had a cold recently? If so he may have glue ear - so go and get his ears checked. Also deworm him and offer an iron supplement. Secondly, make sure he is not having too much sleep during the day - at this stage, one 2-hour sleep over midday is enough. Then put him to bed at 7pm. At bedtime, he must fall asleep independently, with a comfort object  . You need to use a sleeping bag to prevent him waking for cold. I would also have a nightlight, because he may be fearful at night now that his imagination is developing. Good luck.