My 2 1/2 Yr Old Wont Sleep Anymore Help

J.--I believe it is around 2 yrs old that children start having nightmares. My daughter is not quite yet 3 yrs old and since she turned 2 every now and then she would wake up in the middle of the night. Also, I'm sure there is alot of anxiety he feels because of the new baby and this also could be growing pains or a mixture of all. I'm sure it is hard for him to adjust to the new baby since he was the center of your life and I'll bet he doesn't like sharing Mommy. Give it time it will pass.

I think that your situation may be a combination of fear of separation and being a new sibling. You should try reassuring your son that you will be around. Try reading a bed time story to him at night and make special time for him when the baby is sleeping. Also, my son is almost 2 years old and he is growing out of his naps. If I let him sleep more than 1 hour, he'll be up till 8:30 or 9 or sometimes later. Then wake up in the middle of the night, and get up at 5. When I limit his nap, he sleeps much better.

I have had the same problem with my son, who just turned 3 in January. I had my second son last summer and last month my oldest started doing the same thing. When he stays in bed all night long, he is rewarded with putting a sticker on a calendar I printed off our photo shop program. After 4 days in a row of stickers, he is given a special treat for his obedience. We start with a simple piece of candy and as he goes further without getting out of bed we work up the prize (BK play place for example). I'm not sure what your feeling is on spanking, but our belief in the Bible tells us that spanking is the proper punishment for disobedience. When he gets out of bed (we usually find him sometime in the night sleeping on the floor in our room with the dog or he climbs in bed with us), in the morning he is sat down and told what he did wrong and 100% of the time he knows what he did wrong. He is given his spanking in a nonagressive manner and it is made right by calmly telling him why he received the spanking (it is dangerous for him to walk around at night, if there was a fire and he wasn't in his bed it could mean we all die trying to find him) and we pray after he calms down. So far all of the above is working. Hope this works for you.

I am a stay at home mom of 5 kids ages ranging from 11yrs.to
4yrs. Your 2 year old is testing the waters...if he gets his way now he will push it forever!! It's ok to comfort him when he wakes up... he's getting used to a new life,too! But you can't let him rule the roost. He needs to know that mom & dad are in agreement on all subjects pretaining to how he does things... if you let him come to bed and dad's feed up with it, he will come between you & your husband.....not cool! Tell your son that you both love him but he needs to sleep in his own bed(be firm but loving), if he comes in your room by himself,take him back to bed, don't start a habit now of climbing into your bed, and bringing him into your bed only tells him that it's ok. Comfort him in his own room for 5 mins. and leave...see what happens.And don't rush right in to him at night, see if he will calm himself and fall asleep on his own within a 5-10 min.period...if he doesn't he'll probably find his own way to your room and you can take him back to bed. Hang in there, he's learning!

Hello J., Have you try to ware him out some before bed? He may just be alittle upset with the new additon as well try to spend sometime just with him.

sounds like he is feeling a bit insecure having a new baby in the house,and you having to focus more time on the baby,I would give him ''jobs'' to help you like bring you a diaper or clothing for the baby something that will make him feel like he is helping you and that you still love him just like you used to before the baby,also try and spend some time alone with just him,like a special date where dad could watch the baby and you and your son go someplace ''special'' could be just to McDonalds for lunch but its just you and him I think that will help him start feeling secure and he will sleep thru the night again
H.

First off...kids will go thru cycles of sleeping GREAT and sleeping not-so-great. My three year old has been through her own cycles. Currently she's in one where all she wants to do is stall at nap/bedtime where she used to just walk up the stairs herself, crawl into bed and say Goodnight and that was it!

Try to give him more cuddle time during the day. He may just be needing more "Mama Time". I have found w/ both my kids that if I make sure to give them their own cuddle time during the day (which is hard sometimes w/ two!) they seem to sleep better at night.

Give it a shot! Sorry I can't be more helpful! :)

Sleep deprivation is rough but this is temporary. Mine were about the same age when their siblings were born & they each adjusted in their own way but they both appeared to have setbacks in either sleep or potty training.I was a SAHM too so sleep when they sleep. Do you get a chance to have special alone time with him during the day?

My older daughter desired special time for alone with mom during the day. It always an adjustment and this is probably just another phase (and when you look back over 16 years there are alot of phases).
I would try to make sure the older child feels connected with you - try to find a ritual for both of you to do together each day - maybe breakfast where you both sit at the table together (instead of child eating and you straightening the kitchen)- or afternoon reading a book or playing on the floor together. I'm sure you'll have to plan during the new baby's naps - but find something that you always do together..... It is the little things they appreciate.
Of course I know you are juggling - and probably very tired - but try to find a little routine for the 2 of you.