2 Yr Old Won't Go to Sleep

Maybe he still needs to be in his crib. He may just not be ready for the toddler bed yet. So why rush it? I tried with my two year old right before her brother came along and she would have nothing to do with it. So we just ended up getting another crib. She's very happy in her's still and doesn't try to climb out. I plan to let her stay in it until she brings up a "big girl bed". We do a routine at night too. We did go through a bad phase a couple of months ago and she just wouldn't nap. I started putting her to bed even earlier and eventually she got the nap back. I think she was sleep deprived. Try the book "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". It's a great one. It claims that 2 year olds need 13 to 14 hours of sleep a day. I agree. I know we have much fewer tantrums when my daughter has slept and napped well. So, I wouldn't take away the nap yet. It might backfire and cause even less sleep. The saying goes "sleep begets sleep". The more rested the child is, the more he will sleep. Good luck.

My daughter is almost 3 and definately went through that stage, We have the same bedtime routine and then we go over the "rules" of bedtime. She has to stay in bed except to go potty and then get right back in bed, we don't mind if she talks to her doll or bear but if she starts crying or yelling for mommy and daddy then we will shut her door and put the baby gate up, we ask her if she wants the hall light on or the closet light, and then we leave her door halfway open. If she wakes up in the middle of the night we go in calm her down and leave right away, if she does it more than once in the middle of the night we put the baby gate up. We used the baby gate when she first started sleeping in a big girl bed to show her that she has to stay in her room at night. We don't mind going in there but she is not allowed to come out. I think it is a stage that most kids go through, I think they want to control everything at this age so they see what they can get away with. I wouldn't recommend giving into their requests for different cups, different dolls, etc because they will just keep going. Let them choose to start with and then tell them that is it. I hope this helps.

I had trouble with my 9 yr old when he was just a baby. My five-year old had problems around 2. For both, I would pet their backs or bellies, do the night-night prayer (and I do not otherwise pray), or sing softly, even nonsense words. I would settle them in and tell them mommy would be back in 2 mins., 10, 15, etc. You have to come back in the time specified each time so they feel reassured that you will each time. You can go up to half-hour after 15, but no more. It may take a couple of nights. I don't know what else to suggest. Good luck

Would it be possible to move your sons nap time up an hour so he will be more tired at bed time? My 8 year old is having the same problem falling asleep (no nap obviously, but bed time at 8, get up at 6)and I blame it on the time change. It's still daylight outside at 8:00 now, it used to be pitch dark by then...I think our bodies are made to get sleepy when it's dark, also...it's definitely light by 6:30 in the morning now so that may be why yours is getting up earlier. Maybe some shades on the window or some darker curtains would help.

i am having the same problem now with my 2 year old...he was always on a schedule about bedtime and now it just seems like he never goes to sleep. we normally just do like that supernanny says and after the first time he gets up we put him to bed with just a goodnight and every subsequent time he wakes up we just walk to his room say nothing and put him to bed. it has been working and the amount of times he gets up are getting progressively less...well good luck to you

Try a fish tank with air or a sound machine...also keep night time activity to a minimun to decrease stimulation.

Di

Maybe start slowly taking his nap away. I had a simular problem with my 2 yr old. He turn two and a half then started to wake up in the middle of the night. Great Grand mom hand him stay over with her and to remarked at how little he slept. She suggested taking is nap away. I thought um yeah right, after some adjustment ( for us both) and a week later. Ryan sleeps from 9pm to 5am (7hrs). I am not saying this will work but maybe something to try
Good Luck and God Bless