Does anyone have good ideas to help a two year old sleep?

Question

My little guy has never slept through the night & I don't know why. When he was an infant, he woke up every hour for many months. Then he started sleeping for a couple hours at a time at night, refusing to nap during the day. Now that he is 28 months, he wakes up every 3-4 hours crying, and naps an hour in the afternoon. The Dr.said to let him cry, but that's not my style. I haven't had a decent night's sleep for two & half years and I am completely exhausted. Any ideas? I've tried: putting him in his own room, co-sleeping, night-lights, darkening the room, leaving a tv on, extra covers, no covers, eating dinner early, eating dinner late, bath before bed, reading books, giving him sippy of water to keep with him, stuffed animals, air purifiers, and fans. None of that has made any difference. Has anyone else been through this?

Answer 1

I just got my daughter back into her own bed, she's 2. She would go to sleep in her own bed after I read to her for an hour and then wake up within 2 hours and end up in our bed. I didn't want to let her cry so I went out and bought a book called "Good Night Sleep Tight" by Kim West. The book teaches you to help your child learn to go to sleep on their own, stay alseep longer and go back to sleep on their own after night waking. It really works, and with very limited crying. It covers kids age newborn to schoolage, so even if he regresses, you should be able to fix the problem quickly.

I will give you a summary of what I did with my daughter if you want to hear more before buying the book. Just e-mail me. Hang in there, you'll solve this problem.

Answer 2

Don't upset yourself over this. It's normal 2-yr-old behavior. I have the same problem with my daughter. Just do your best to follow a routine every night, and have a set time for your son to be in bed. Some nights you may need to lay with him until he falls asleep, but don't do it unless you absolutely have to, because it can tend to be a hard habit to break. If he has a security blanket, or teddy bear, or whatever, make sure he has it in bed with him. Instead of tv, try turning on a radio for him. Does he still take naps during the day? If so, I would suggest trying to skip the nap for a day or two and see if it helps. If he does need to nap, make it only one a day, and early in the afternoon. If possible, take him outside to play every day. The fresh air really helps. My little midnight monster will easily crash out before eleven if she's spent the afternoon playing outside. If he's still in a toddler bed, you may want to consider getting a "big kid" bed. You can even let him help pick out the comforter/sheets. It will help him want to go to bed. Just know that this is only a phase. It will get better. They don't call it the "terrible twos" for no reason. Try not to let it upset you. If you need to, take a night off. There have been a couple times where I knew I just couldn't take it. Those nights, I just put her to bed, turned on the tv, turned out the light, and let her be. She played quietly in her room, and when she was ready, she fell asleep. The more they know they're getting to you, the further they'll push. Good luck!!

Answer 3

My almost 2 years old has always sleep in her own bed through the night since 2 weeks old!About 3 months ago she stopped and woke up all night for a few hours at a time!About a week ago I took away her naps and it seems to be working well!

Answer 4

Okay! Don't you just love babies!!! So, have you tried warm milk? try that before you try the next bit.
Usually if a baby can't sleep, it's because they're not tired enough to sleep through the night. Try giving him a shorter nap in the afternoon, see how that works. If he still wont sleep, dont' nap him. If he stays up all day, he's bound to be tired enough to stay sleeping. Or try putting him to bed later, so that it'll be further into the night before he wakes up.
If he does wake up in the night, try rubbing his back, put on soothing music, maybe nature sounds, have you tried a hot water bottle next to him to be like a warm body next to him. If nothing else, this is probably just a phaze that he's going through and will (hopefully) grow out of soon.

Best of Luck!

Answer 5

That was exactly like my son. He would only fall asleep when I sang and rocked him. Then I could put him down where he would sleep for another hour or two. The first year, I probably averaged about 5 naps a night. The second year improved dramatically. My wife cured him of the need for rocking when I had to leave for a business trip one weekend. She basically bit the bullet and only came to the crib to comfort him when he cried. She would soothe him while he lay, but would not pick him up. He still woke up occasionally, and when he did cry, we had to make sure it wasn't some kind of ear infection (he was prone to respiratory problems and frequent ear aches), he wasn't hungry or that he needed a diaper change. Now he's seven, he is still a little bugger pushing the bedtime envelope, but obviously for different reasons.

Answer 6

I'm not sure if this will work but maybe try putting him in some evening swimming lessons. You obviously would have to join him. I don't know of anyone who doesn't need a good long sleep after swimming. I also have a two year old she absolutely needs her lamb to go to bed and we still play a music box for her she can't fall asleep without it. My girl unless teething or being sick is an amazing sleeper. I think the swimming thing would work though and you get to spend good quality time with him doing something that everyone should do, I think swimming is a life tool.

Answer 7

Sounds like you've tried many things. I suggest you don't let him sleep in too late in the morning...get him up and going (I know you are tired, but try this) also be sure there is no caffeine consumed during the day, try wearing him out...get him exhausted to where he wants to sleep and keep him up until a reasonable bedtime then put him to sleep after a snack (animal crackers or vanilla wafers and milk). Just a thought. If he already gets up early and only takes an hour nap, take a look at how much sugar and/or caffeine he consumes and that might need altering...include fruit and fruit drinks. You might need to see a dr as he may be prone to hyperactivity.

Answer 8

My nephew used to do this when he was little. He stays round our hosue alot and is now a brilliant sleeper. Its really hard but you have to put him down it the bed kiss him tell him goodnight and shut the door. He WILL scream and cry especially as you have been going to him when he does. He sees crying as a way of getting out of going to sleep. Since he is two, you may have to wait outside the door incase he opens it, if he does you just say goodnigth again and put him back in the bed and remember to shut the door. Repeat this action three times and if he is still coming out of the door stop saying goodnight and just put him to bed. Its a really hard thing to do but it does work.
Also before you put him to bed, create a calm atmosphere for him.

Answer 9

Let him run around and play alot. Go to the park. Kids are always tired after a long day and will usually sleep the whole night through.

Answer 10

Yeah I go through the same thing. There isn't really anything I know of except making sure they sleep in their own bed because once they get used to sleeping with you they never stop.