Need Help Getting 20 Month Old to Sleep Alone

T.,
Since your son is almost 2, it might be better to just forget about the crib. You could go to a toddler bed...they make really fun toddler beds like racecars etc. Some actually use a crib size mattress and some use a twin mattress. I'm not an advocate of crying it out. You might need to sit by his open door so he can see you until he falls asleep. Assure him you are there, but remind him that he's a big boy who can go to sleep just fine on his own.
Good luck!!

There is no reason at all that he shouldn't be in his bed and it is not uncommon to move a two year old out of their crib to a regular bid with a rail. Actually, he may get excited about NOT being put in a crib like his younger sibling. Fix his room up in some theme that he likes and put his bed against the wall with a rail on the other side. At this point, you will have to be consistant with your new rules for bedtime and of course, they may prefer to sleep with mommy. It is definitely better for everyone in the family.

My husband and I just recently reclaimed our bed. We have a 22mo old boy who has never been a big fan of sleeping. He hated to be in anything that confined him which included a crib. We finally did away with a crib when he was about 16mo and got a toddler bed. He did a good job of staying in the bed but he still did not sleep. I was given so much advice on how to get him to sleep and NONE of it worked. Several said to cry it out but he would cry all night. Others said a bed time routine. Tried that too and it didn't work. We had a rule though that he was not allowed to come to our bed until at least 5am. All of the sudden a few weeks ago he decided he was going to sleep all night in his bed. Now, he tells us when he is ready to go to bed, read a book, and go to sleep.

I'm sorry I do not have any exact advice for you. Just wanted to share our experience. Hope you reclaim your bed soon!!

I understand your pain. I also have 2 children 21 months apart and there are just some things we learned from our first child not to do with the second. First maybe you should try spending more time with your son in his room playing, reading, even maybe breast feeding the other baby in there if you can. If you are anything like I was, my first one and I spent every waking moment in my bedroom so I think her room was just not a familiar place to her.I started to put her down at her normal time and whenever she would cry I would come in right away to let her know I wasn't far away. Then those times when she just wouldn't stop crying, I refused to put her in my bed. I made a little pallet in her room right beside her bed. I know it's hard especially with the new little one but you can't give up because it will be harder for you in the future.