My 2 1/2 Year Old Wont Sleep

Hi C. -
My son is 2 1/2 also and is very energetic. What I've found works best is to have a set schedule for nap and bedtime. If you deviate from it more than a half hour, then there is no sense of stability around that process for the child. Our son kept waking up at night and I found that feeding him 1-2 jars of baby food (or other food) and then an 8 oz. bottle of soy milk helps him sleep through the night. I don't think bottles are taboo at that age regardless of what the "experts" say. If that is what gives him comfort them give it to him. He'll grow up soon enough.

Sounds like you are a good mom and doing the best you can. Good luck to you! - L.

What time does he go to bed at night and wake up in the mornings?

My son gave up his nap at 13 months. So it could be that he's growing out of it, but really only you can tell that. For instance I tried to forsce my son to nap and after 3 days of naps he started to wake at 3:30 am ready for the day, there was NO going bakc to sleep .. MY ped told me he was all done.

Anyway as far as the bottle goes, well, I'm kinda one of those bottel phobic moms, I threw them away the minute they turned 1. But if it;s his "thing" then how is it different then letting him have a stuffy or anythign else. My kids have cups of water next to thier beds at night and they can't sleep if they are not thier either , they will wake me up at night.

OH and on a later thought, with a new baby in teh house, is he getting out to play like he used to? Perhaps he is not playing as hard as he used to.. that was a major factor for Alex when his baby sister came around. He jsut wasn't as worn out as he used to be when I have energy to where him out.

Best of luck,
H.

Hey Crystal,
My daughter is somewhat the same way (minus wanting to be a baby.. shes an only child). Lately I have found that if I make her take her nap before 2 then I spend an hour teying to get her down, and then she has "rested" and I know she won't fall asleep. If I just wait for her to be ready, its usually around 4 and then she is up all night. We usually don't go to bed until about 9:30 - 10:00 so we sleep in til about 8am. On the days that my daughter has activities (pre-preschool, gym, playdates, outings ect.) then she will easily go down for a nap by 1:30 -2. So basically, she needs more activity now than before, to go down for a nap at a reasonable time. Also she doesn't sleep for as long (1- 1 1/2 hours max). On the days that for some reason she doesnt go down until 4 or so, I let her sleep for no more than 30 minutes. Hope that helps, I know what you mean about even though she doesnt want to take a nap I NEED HER TO!

Hi C.,

First of all, as a parent. We all have tryed something to make our hectic days easier. At least you are putting water only in the bottle. So....its no all that bad. That being said, usually children will not compltely potty train until off the bottle. This might be an incentive for you. Also you need to have support at home for consistancy issues. I would suggest.... If your child usually gets an 8 oz. bottle, tonight make the bottle 7 oz. in another week make the bottle 6 oz. Next week 5 oz. I think you get the point. Also remember it takes 14 days of consistancy to change a habit. He is old enough also if you want to make a trade. Both of you sit down and talk about the reward. The reward is given daily by a sticker on the calander (if no bottle that day). Once 14 days IN A ROW are completed than he gets the reward. But, say on day 10 he's not feeling well, or you got no sleep the night before and give into him.......YOU NEED TO START THE 14 DAYS ALL OVER AGAIN.

GOOD LUCK!
DON'T FEEL SO BAD, NONE OF US ARE PERFECT PARENTS! IT'S A LEARNING PROCESS. I DIDN'T BELIEVE IN DISIPLINE FOR MY FIRST CHILD UNTIL 2 YEARS OLD. SHE WAS POTTY TRAINED AND EVERYTHING BEFORE I REALISED, WHO'S FOOLING WHO? I think my second child was 2 months old the first time I told her NO! We can only forgive ourselves for our mistakes and learn something from them. If we learn a lesson, then all is not wrong.

H. B.