my 2 year old was great at goin down in his cot in the night he used to go asleep by him self but lately he goes ballistic if you leave him so i end up havin to lie on the bed beside him until he nods off some times it takes up to 2 hours or more help!!
2007-01-19 23:49:01 · 16 answers · asked by lynners 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
my daughter started doing this and i tried controlled crying. It only works if like me, you have a heart of stone! Leave him for 5 minutes - then return, reassure briefly until he has calmed down (do not pick up) then leave. Leave for 10 minutes. Repeat increasing time by 5 minutes each time. Arabella usually went off by 20 minutes. Within 3 days she was cured.
2007-01-19 23:55:17 · answer #1 · answered by Madam Rosmerta 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with everything that everyone else wrote but I also think you need to try to find out why he started this. Is he scared of something? Maybe saw something on TV or woke up from a dream alone in the dark? Ask him why? At 2 you may have to decipher the awnser, but it could give you a clue.
When my son went through this, he was scared of the monsters under the bed type thing. I bought some lavender linen spray and then made a label for it that said "MONSTER SPRAY" It became a routine to spray is room and pillow every night. It kept the monsters away and has a natural relaxation effect. It worked great. Music helped too because then his room was not so quiet and alone feeling. Good Luck!
2007-01-20 00:08:19 · answer #2 · answered by jenandmj 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you need ro break the cycle of laying beside him its a vicious circle that you wont be able to break
I know its awful but make sure he has had everything and is not hungry or anything and then leave him in his room - for no more than 10 minutes if he has still not calmed down go back, dont talk to him, but reassure him by rubbing his back and then leave him again, it is tiring and will take alot of emotional strength because when you child is crying all you want to do is comfort them but he should get himself back into the habit of getting himself back to sleep
Read him a bedtime story and explain to him that he needs to be a Big Boy and go to sleep
Good luck and i hope you find this helpful, just stick with it
2007-01-23 08:49:56 · answer #3 · answered by Nimsay 06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 2 1/2 year old did this as well. I used to tell her that I was going to the toilet or going to get something and that I would be back in 5 mins. I would tell her that all the birds were sleeping and the sun and that she had to be very quiet or she would wake them up. Then I would sneak down the stairs, occasionally she would cry but would soon lie back down if I said I was just coming. I said that I would never lie to my children but being flexible with the truth at bedtime is OK! or so I tell myself!
2007-01-20 02:52:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has tried to change the rules and you have let him. Go back to his old routine. If he "goes ballistic" then just keep going back to him and telling him "Go to sleep it's bedtime" at increasing intervals. Use a watch as even 30 seconds can seem like forever when your child is screaching! At 2 he should be able to understand "It's bedtime now so when I've read your story, said goodnight and turned out the light you should lie down and sleep."
2007-01-23 02:06:19 · answer #5 · answered by Quorlia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try getting into a bedtime routine ...maybe once he is all ready for bed...Take a drink up to leave by his bedside ..that way he doesn't need to get up for a drink.
choose a book with him and sit beside him cuddled up before reading make it clear that its sleep time after reading the book.
then tuck him up give him the biggest hug of the day and tuck him in.
Leave the room and let him cry for a while...if he doesn't stop crying after 15 mins go back in and say night night again with another smaller hug then leave again ....
If he still crys leave him for around 20 mins ...if hes still crying go back in give him a kiss and say night night ...don't engage in any conversation say nothing but night night or its sleep time then leave again ...
each time you have to go back make the contact less and less...under no circumstances take him out of the bedroom...say nothing but night night I love you..make it clear there will be no more playing and no more fun to be had until morning.
If he need a nappy change or the potty do in in his bedroom.
Hopefull the crying time will get less and less as he gets used to being in his bed.
Good luck
2007-01-20 00:03:24 · answer #6 · answered by blazing_staruk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats something you will have to stop or you will be doing it forever. He did originally settle, so you have to revert back to this. It may be hard at first, but any health visitor will say the same. Leave him, dont lay with him, get him a musical box or a 10watt night light, but definatley stop the laying with him. Check on him every now and then if he is still creating and tell him to lay down and go to sleep. He will soon realise that you will not lay with him anymore and give in. It a war of wills. Been there.
2007-01-19 23:59:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have to lay down with my son as well. Did something happen like a movie that he watched that scared him or is he just wanting your attention. All you can really do is have him go in his room by him self and let him get used to soothing himself to sleep or your going to have to wait til he gets to sleep and then leave. You could give him a time limit. Tell him you will stay in there for 5 minutes and then he has to be a big boy and go to sleep.
2007-01-20 00:08:13 · answer #8 · answered by ws_422 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi, is he in a toddler bed now? you said you lie down beside him so im guessing he is. my son (21 months) has just gones in a bed and is exactly the same. nothing is working, ive tried the crying thing but he will literally just scream for hours, so just to let you know that you're not alone! if you're gonna try the crying thing then maybe we could do it together and email support so we dont go in their to comfort them after 5 seconds!
2007-01-20 01:12:12 · answer #9 · answered by mummy_of_one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being 2, if they are scared they need to know their parents are going to protect them. I do not believe in "leaving them alone for 5 min to cry it out". That's insane, they need to know we are there for them. Being scared and being awnry are 2 different things. This case sounds like the child is scared. So go into the room as you have been, letting them know it's ok and you are there for them. I'd also suggest getting like a strobe toy or something like stars or the fish they can see on the walls, and distract them from being scared.
2007-01-20 02:43:41 · answer #10 · answered by Amber P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋