My 2 yr old son will not go to bed or sleep through the night...?

Question

I read him two books every night before bed and if I do not lay with him until he falls to sleep...Sometimes it's over an hour.

Answer 1

So let him lie there for over an hour before he falls asleep. I suggest any naps during the day be cut shorter or cut out altogether.

Answer 2

Play soft, classical music. Put a night light in his room or leave the light on in the hall. Keep reading him the two books. Bathe him, give him a drink, have him brush his teeth before he gets in there. If he gets up keep taking him back and telling him to stay there. If he cries, let him cry, he'll eventually fall asleep because he's tired. Tell him he can look at a book quietly in his bed but he can't get up. Give him a special friend, like a doll or a teddy bear, or a blanket. Cut the naps shorter or move bedtime later.

Answer 3

Make sure that he has a good wind down routing. Like take a bath, maybe read a book and then tuck him in. Don't allow him to control bed time. Your rest is important too.

For a couple nights if you want to stay in the room until he falls asleep do it. however eventually just go through your routine, and put him to bed say goodnight and leave, if he gets up put him back in bed. just keep doing it. It does get exhausting. After a week he should get the point that bed time is not negotiable, and start to go to sleep on his own.

it is important to set up boundaries and routine at a young age, it lays the groundwork for the future.

Answer 4

You need to read him the books and then explain that it is time for him to go to sleep on his own and leave the room. I am not going to lie and say that his will be easy because it wont be. You son will cry and you will have to be strong about it. He needs to be sleeping and falling asleep on his own. Try cutting down or out the daily nap too like others have suggested until he is sleeping through the night. Good luck and I hope things work out.

Answer 5

ok this may sound wierd but bear with me ..at sleep time after book time tell him it's time to sleep now lay him down tuck him in kiss him and leave the room ..do not close the door. stand just outside the door and wait if he stays in the bed and crys thats healthy if he has tantrums that is not..so you enter the room make him lay down and DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH HIM stay there and keep a hand on his back to keep him in place and let him know in a physical way he's there to stay.wait till he is calm and attempt to leave ..you may need to stand beside the bed until he's asleep for a few days but it will work..remember never under any circumstances make eye contact with him .if he is in a childs bed and not a crib kneel down beside the bed keep your hand on the childs back keep your face turned away from him.stay till he's asleep.. this will work .... .. .. .. a large amount of people do not realize the actual problem here is about control.he wants it and so do you ....when a child is too young to be reasoned with you must gain control by being demonstrative(demonstrate to them in a physical way).. not mean never yell , just be prepared to stand your ground.... .. .. .. it is also a good idea to let them know with words just before book time what will be happening , just tell him when the reading is over you will be expecting him to go to sleep. then do what is required... remember at sleep time DO NOT LOOK HIM IN THE EYE , AND DO NOT SPEAK TO HIM AGAIN..

Answer 6

Cut out those naps and make sure he is getting enough physical exercise during the day. Take a walk after dinner and then give him a nice warm bath. Calmness and quiet is gooooood. Put him in his jammies and read him a book. DO NOT LAY DOWN WITH HIM unless you plan on doing this a long time. Good Luck...I am a good one to talk I rocked my oldest to sleep for 3 years. Thought I was supposed to. Then I figured out that I was not helping either of us.

Answer 7

you probably have been doing this all along so it will be a tough habit to break, but for your on sanity and your sons well being you have to. read to to him for 10 min. and then tell him its bedtime, leave the room and let him cry or fuss if he gets out of bed be strick but dont yell and tell him he MUST go to sleep...you will have to repeat this many times for several nights...he will get the idea (you will be exhausted) but in the long run it will be best for the both of you....just a note my neighbor went through the same thing her son was 7 years old before he broke the habit . he wasnt falling asleep until after midnight...do something NOW...good luck

Answer 8

Your son must learn how to fall asleep by himself, or you will pay dearly. Try to stick to the same routine every night so he knows what to expect. Trust your instincts. If you know he is perfectly fine and just angry that it is bedtime let him cry. If you must go in try not to pick him up, soothe him with words and get him to lie down and give him a backrub for a minute or two. Then say goodnight- it's time for bed and leave.

Answer 9

Read the books and leave. The kid knows if he throws a fit that mommy will run back in with him. Let him throw his fit and soon he will be sleeping, first it may take some time.
I learned this with my oldest. He had me trained!! The next two I did not have any problems for I did not let them train me....or um not in this way. Lord knows I am not perfect. Wish there were some kind of kid manual out there.....and we could bottle there energy up and take it ourselves...

Those who do not have kids I can see now reading this going hu lol!

Answer 10

Be firm! It's bed time and that's it. Put him in his room and close the door. No laying down until he falls asleep. You are babying him too much. If he cries, let him. If he comes out of his room, send him back to bed.

This is not cruel - he has to learn. If you don't teach him NOW, he will never learn.