I Need Help!!! My 2 1/2 Year Old Son Wont Go to Sleep Before 5Am!!

Give us more details. He sleeps from 5am till ___?
If he sleeps late ino the afternoon, then I'd do as PrincessMomma suggests and wake him up early/at a regular time. He'll be so exhausted b 8pm that he'll sleep like a log (hopefully) and wake up 7 am or so next day and get back on a nicer schedule.
Does he take a nap?
Look at his food. There could be a trigger like what he eats for dinner is always/often ___ and that is causing him to stay up - perhaps processed foods or a certain kind of meat/pasta. I dunno. There are so many factors to consider. The doctor may ask about what he eats daily though.

One thing you can try is stop trying to put him to bed for just one night. Right now he's in the mode of being ready to fight you, so just don't fight him. It has already escalated to a full-scale battle.

Get him up early in the morning. Skip the nap.

In the evening, forget having him put on his Pjs. Forget the bedtime routine. Forget putting him to bed. Don't even mention bedtime. Don't mention ANYTHING that will put him in the defensive about bedtime.

Give him him some milk. You can also do turkey soup for dinner, it will help make him sleepy.

Then, around 8:00, put on a boring adult movie. Something he wouldn't be interested in. Snuggle with him on the couch. Later on, read a book. The point is you want to be as boring as possible. I would put on relaxing music and read. Don't let him play toys (but he can have a stuffed animal or one thing like a book). Plan to be there for a while.

He will drop off to sleep. He should. If you're boring enough he will get tired and fall asleep. Once he's really out, you can put him in his bed. That should be much better than fighting him until 5am. I doubt you'll be up that late with this method!

The point of this is just to break the chain of the fighting. Later on you can slowly establish a routine. He needs his sleep, so this is a good way just to get him some sleep and reset his inner clock, it's not a permanent solution.

My first thought is, does he have an ear infection? Sometimes kids won't sleep when then do. Rule this out.

Next, do not let him go to sleep at 5am. Take him to the park and wear his little butt out. It will be hard for you and him, but he needs to stay up. He's got his days and nights mixed up and he's calling the shots! Keep him up until at least 5pm when you give an early dinner, bath, book and then bed.

So sorry you're going through this. It's a battle of the wills, and yours have to be stronger!

No matter what time he goes to bed, he still gets up 7am. No naps. Give him a bath and PJs by 7pm. Tell him you don't care if he doesn't want to sleep, but he has to stay in his room. Then leave.

The next morning wake him up at 7am. No naps. Repeat the routine. He'll start to get it.

Right now it's a battle because he knows he can win. You'll stay up with him and he gets what he wants. Make sure he's waking up early, playing all day with no naps, and get all his energy out.

Good luck and welcome to Mamapedia.

How long does he sleep? Does he nap too? I bet he somehow got into this routine (maybe he was sick and up all night?) And now it's his norm. I would let him sleep a few hours. And then get him back up for the day. If he needs another nap to get through the day limit it to 1 hour. He'll be so exhausted by bedtime that he won't be able to fight it. Then just make sure to keep him on the same schedule. Good luck!

I'd like to add to the comments.. Could you talk to him and ask him if he misses having nighttime at in his old bedroom? (assuming he had one in the last place you worked). Ask him what he misses. And find a way (together) to do a version of that routine. Let him know you miss the old place too, but what is best in your eye is being with him.

Maybe he decided to really test you now that you are in a new phase of your life. He may be trying to find a new normal, and pushing boundaries at the same time.

Also, has he gotten his molars in yet? It does seem a coincidence that this happens after losing your job (so sorry about that!), but he is getting so little sleep, something might be physically wrong.

And I also agree, you may need one day of no sleep at all, to "re-set" him. It does sound like you might need to lock his door from the outside for that one day, so he can't get out and play at night.. also, turn off the breaker, or unscrew the lamp so he cant have light in his room that night.
So, if you know he can be totally safe in his room, try putting in earlplugs, so maybe you could cathc some catnaps during that one night.

SInce he is clearly overtired, give him an early bedtime on that one long, sleepless day. Overtired kids have a harder time settling down.

One night DO NOT LET HIM GO TO SLEEP AT ALL. No going to sleep at 5 am, keep him up. Don't let him nap either. Keep him awake until a reasonable bedtime. (I'd say between 7 and 9 pm ... my personal favorite was always 8pm). He'll be so tired he'll go to sleep without a fuss and should sleep through the night.

It's gonna be a LONG cranky day for both of you. But it might help reset his body clock and get him back on schedule.

The other possibility is that you have a natural biological night owl (I'm one) and if that's the case it's gonna suck for him and you for a VERY long time.

Because he's been up so late for so long, this might take some time. Once he does crash, how late does he sleep? Does he take a nap?

Sleep has never been my strong suit, so I can somewhat relate. And I definitely feel your pain.

As you try to get into a routine that will be easier, I would plan lots of very active things to do. Go to the park, the zoo, the mall (do they have a soft play area?), McDonalds. Basically anything to keep him really active. Also, being active will help you to stay awake!

Make sure to have a good dinner. When it's time to settle down really set the scene. Turn the lights down, turn off all electronics. Have bath time, pj's, brush teeth, snuggle on the couch are read a couple of books. Let him know that after the books it will be time for bed.

It's ok to lie down with him (well, not everyone will agree, but I think it's perfectly ok). Actually, I prefer to sit down on the floor next to the bed. Sometimes I sing, sometimes I pat my son's back. Actually, I don't usually need to do those things anymore, but I used to. Now I sit against the wall and read my Nook (love having that backlight!). Once you really get a good routine and he's used to it you really won't need to stay with him. Just say goodnight and leave.

Give it some time. It's going to take some tweaking, especially the timing of everything. Try to keep the order of events basically the same.

If he still takes a nap, try to make that a priority, as an overtired child is so much harder to get to sleep.

Try a plan for a week or so before making any big changes, as he will need some time to get used to the routine.

Hang in there! You will find something that works.

get him UP at about 7:00 in the morning. WEAR HIM OUT. take him shopping, to a petting zoo, chuck e cheese, wherever. home for lunch, nap, then wake him up about 3:00- and WEAR HIM OUT AGAIN. to the park, bowling, walking around the mall. whatever it is. a day or two of that he'll go to bed at a reasonable hour. (you have to know ahead of time what that is, for your schedule) he's in a bad rut and maybe because you're a sahm (?) and he doesn't have preschool (?) you've been able to be flexible. (that's the only way i can see this having gotten this bad, so if that's a wrong assumption, sorry) you CAN get this under control. it's all about what he's used to. both his mind and his body. you can do it.

I am going on the assumption only that he goes to bed at 5 am and wakes up sometime in the afternoon. When I had my second son, my first son was 14 months and they would take a nap at 6 pm and wake up at 10 pm or midnight WIDE AWAKE! I wanted to scratch my skin off-so annoying. This went on for literally 6 months! I could not fix their schedule for anything, I would try waking them up early morning and they would throw tantrums and be little disasters (mainly my 1 year old of course) The little one slept in the and was up screaming all night. I was not a happy mama and everything suffered and as turned upside down. so I can totally relate to you. Mine were staying up until 4 am almost every night and if one went to bed on time, the other one was up so I did not get any sleep.

Finally I just made them stay up until bed time-no more middle of the evening naps- and put them down at the same time every day 8 pm (which is late for most but it worked for us). We got them on A. actual schedule and it was hard to follow. I got one of those alarm clocks that goes off every hour and called out the time. I would do things on the hour and it worked. It helped them know what was coming next. I am the most unorganized person in the world (yes, I am claiming the title) and I know if I can do it with a baby and a toddler, you can do it.
I really hope you get some advice here that you can apply and relates to you because I know you are going through a really hard time.
_sending you prayers for sleep!
Eta: He is old enough for melatonin BTW- toddlers with autism and sensory issues use it all the time. My guy is on the spectrum and I forgot to add that he slept in A. infant swing until he was 2.5...he was loads of fun!! sarcasm.
I just rad your SWH (late) I would not worry about the napping. I think it depends on the kid. My 27 month old rarely naps!!! and he is perfectly fine. I can not believe he wakes up at 10 am every day and does not go to bed until 6 am. That is insane. I think his biological clock is all messed up and he is picking up on some stress. sorry my post is all over the place. I guess it is more for support than anything, I just want to help you, I feel so bad for you.

I hope you'll realize that if your son COULD sleep, he would. He's not just trying to be naughty.

Since sleep is so important for your son's health and development, and for your health and sanity, I would definitely talk to his pediatrician about melatonin. I hear that it can make a real difference for sleep-resistant toddlers. It's a hormone that the body produces, and in the right amount, it promotes sleep. I've used a tiny dose regularly ever since menopause, and it's been a blessing. (I simply don't sleep without it.)

Exposure to too much screen time (TV or computer) can contribute to sleep disruption, especially in the last couple of hours before bedtime. The light they emit is in the blue-green end of the color spectrum, and this is known to disrupt the production of natural melatonin. Too much or too little physical activity or mental stimulation during the day can also disrupt sleep. Major changes in the child's capacity (learning exciting new skills, for example) can stimulate the brain and make sleep elusive.

Here's an especially helpful website that may give you other ideas: http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/sleep.htm

Good luck.

WELCOME to mamapedia!!!

He is doing this because HE CAN!!! he is testing his boundaries and is winning.

If he wants the light on - give him a night light. ASK him what he needs. Don't just try things. He has words. Tell him to use them.

He is no longer a baby. YOU are the parent. Tell him the rules and STICK to them. No bribery. No deals. It is bedtime and this is what is expected of you.

No electronics for one hour prior to bedtime...this will help set his night time clock.

I would NOT give a 2.5 year old melatonin...it gave me freaky dreams no telling what it would do to a 2 year old.

Keep him physically active during the day. No naps, maybe...there are some kids who don't nap after 2...sad.. but true...

STOP babying him. He's not a baby anymore. Yes, he's still young but at the age of 2 they start pressing their boundaries and limits...testing to see what they can get away with.

Get a routine in place...ours is bath, brush, book, bed, prayers.

Mine are now 10 and 12 so they take their own showers.
Brush their hair and teeth
read a book IN BED
Prayers.
It's our routine and works for us. You need to get a routine that works for you. It takes 2 to 4 weeks to establish a routine...stop trying EVERYTHING. Start with ONE thing and move from there. You might be over stimulating him with trying EVERYTHING!!!

I say...forget trying all of our ideas & ask your dr for a referral to a sleep study program at your local hospital.

I would also like to recommend the "1-2-3 Magic" video. It's a great discipline method & works wonders. Been using it for years now.

EDIT (after SWH): Now we have more of the Big Picture. There are legitimate reasons for his non-sleeping.
#1 the transition/moving is part of the problem.
#2 cleaning for 4 hours each day .....I'm sorry! ....is insane. The very fact that you admit being called OCD factors into this. This daily cleaning time needs to be cut down to 1 hour a day, if that! This is time he needs to spend with other children. He's not wearing himself down. He needs that kid-to-kid interaction!
#3 tv/dvds for 2 hours a day! OMG...waaaay toooo much! He's a toddler & needs to be playing actively. ....& again, he needs to be with kids. My daycare kids get 30min. tops for tv.
#4 the "outside" time is great. But again.....get him with some other kids!
#5 kudos to you for pursuing the speech needs. As others have said, bright kids live differently. Sounds like its time for more assessments.

I would check with the pediatrician and make sure all is well health wise. But if he is then perhaps try the Ferber method. Dr. Ferber has a book in which he talks about all kinds of sleep problems. I kept the book around from when I trained 2nd to sleep through the night and not nurse anymore at 6 months and to read up on toddler issues and even teen issues. Good book to keep around and his method works although it took about 3 weeks with his method versus letting my first "cry it out" at 7 months which took 4 days.

http://www.amazon.com/Solve-Your-Childs-Sleep-Problems/dp...

L., I'm so sorry for you. This is truly awful. He needs the sleep.

Here is what I would do. I would go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy a cheap interior door and have them cut it way up above the doorknob. Have them sand it so that there won't be any splinters. Install that door in place of his bedroom door, and put the doorknob on backwards so that the lock is on the outside.

After you do that, no more allowing him to come out of his room. He can see out into the hall - that's good enough. Don't require him to sleep in his bed. He can sleep on the floor if he wants - as long as he's in his room - he will eventually sleep where it is most comfortable, which is most likely his bed.

At night time, loosen the light bulb (not in front of him) so that the light does not work. If he wants to play with his toys, he'll have to do it in the dark.

Don't go in his room anymore. Just accept that he is going to cry until he realizes that you will no longer be coming in to clean him up, or fuss at him, or be with him, etc. It may seem cruel, but you are doing both of you a necessary favor by making him accept that night time is for sleeping - not for playing, not for keeping mommy awake. It is bad for his health, it is bad for yours.

In the morning, clean him up. He will stop throwing up when it doesn't profit him anymore.

He probably is old enough for melatonin, but you'd need to check that with the doctor.

If you can't buy the cheap interior door, then at least turn the doorknob around so that he cannot come out of the room.

It might take a week or two, but if you are 100% consistent and no longer go in his room or let him come out of it, you will have this problem licked.

Dawn

Whew...sorry to hear that,,must be very exhausting for both of you.
There's one case I heard about this, the kid was actually gifted and genius, that's why he can't sleep. He is always up do something. Do you know Einstein can't talk well too? Some say that speech problem could mean thatthe kid is genius. Well, this kid's mother was exhausted, too. She took him to a doctor who said he can help. He gave him a shot, but then it was fatal. His kid is now 27 years, but his mental is still the same age when he was shot. Mind you, this happened in Indonesia. The doctor must be idiot, and too bad that they can't sue him .
That is one possibility though.
But, if I were you, I will try this : walk him till he is tired, give him a nice dinner, warm bath and give him nutmeg. Nutmeg is very good to put you asleep. Mix it with food or you can put it on his forehead while you sing him lullabies. My sister said it works.
Good luck.