Our son has been a great sleeper, going to bed at 7:30 and waking up at 7:30, as well as taking a nap between 1-2:30 everyday. Up until a couple days ago! Now, he will not go to bed at night and sometimes refuses to take a nap. Last night we tried putting him in his crib at the regular time, but all he did was start screaming at the top of his lungs. I took him out of his crib thinking maybe his sleep patterns were changing and he didn't need as much sleep. At 9:00 I put him back in his crib and he screamed off and on until he finally fell asleep at 10:30. We have not changed anything, he has a bedtime routine that we've stuck to and never had any problems. We put him in his crib at 8:00 tonight and he just proceeded to scream at the top of his lungs. I just can't figure out what is going on with him. He's also become a bit more aggressive throwing toys at us and trying to bite. We did not experience this with his older brother, so we just don't know how to handle it. Any helpful suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
We had already been to the doctor to rule out any medical issues. With him still being in a crib, laying down with him in his bed is not an option. We tried the, "you can lay down with mommy and daddy in their bed for a few minutes," but all he wanted to was get down and play. He definitely still needs to be in a crib. I stuck to my guns and made sure my husband was using the same bedtime routine when I wasn't here and just told him to ignore the crying. Last night he cried for maybe 5 minutes and the night before about 10-15, so I think he's getting the idea that mommy and daddy are in charge and he has to go to bed no matter what. Thank you for all the suggestions. I think just sticking to the routine and ignoring the crying and screaming has worked best for us. At least this time around!
ZZ,
Have you ruled out an ear infection? Or even a slick stomach bug? My boys didn't always have fevers when they had ear infections. I had to go on my gut instinct. Once you rule out medical issues, perhaps you could add to his bedtime routine. Giving him more transition time, reading a little more, or holding him a little longer.
Good luck.
K-
When kids hit 2 years old... they go through sleep tweaks/difficulties/developmental phases that affect them etc.
It passes.
Just keep to your normal routine (which is a really good one) , and ignore the screaming , he is trying to push boundairies as they all do at certain stages , he has to know that you mean business with this one, it will soon stop.
Oh, so we came up with a good method after MUCH trouble with sleep -- I think it's best to use a pushing and pulling kind of method, in other words, really make him WANT to be in his bed, and also really make him stay there. So, when you go buy new sheets (with Thomas the tank engine or something equally wonderful), pretend for all the world that you really want those sheets. Put them on his bed, but keep lying down in them, getting all cozy. Tell him that these are the coziest sheets in the house, and pretend not to want to let him sleep in his bed. YOU want them. Even daddy can help out with this act, and pretend he wants them too. When he is ready to climb into bed and try them out himself, be SO reluctant to get up out of them. You get the picture. :) Add this to the bedtime routine, where you pretend you want to be in his cozy, cozy sheets every night.
Then add the no-tolerance no getting out of bed (except for potty), with closing the door tight (or taking a pillow for a second or two) for longer and longer with each infraction. Plus starting bedtime at DARK and QUIET, when he's physically exhausted, and you've got yourself a bedtime!
Whatever you do, don't let him change the bedtime routine for you -- in other words, whatever you "let him get away with" one night will be the new norm and what he expects every night.
I agree with the others to keep up with your routine.....but, is he cutting his molars? The two year old molars can be very painful.
My youngest has started doing this too. He is also 23 months old. I think that they think that they are missing something. I have also noticed that our youngest is trying to show his independence as well. We did not have this with out oldest either, and that is because he has Autism. But I say the best thing to do is the keep up the routine and eventually he should come out of it. This is what we are doing with our little guy. He has good and bad nights now, but I am sure it will get better soon. :o)
Updated
My youngest has started doing this too. He is also 23 months old. I think that they think that they are missing something. I have also noticed that our youngest is trying to show his independence as well. We did not have this with out oldest either, and that is because he has Autism. But I say the best thing to do is the keep up the routine and eventually he should come out of it. This is what we are doing with our little guy. He has good and bad nights now, but I am sure it will get better soon. :o)
My 22 month old has had the same kind of problem recently and I think it is related to the time change. It is not as dark when he goes to bed and his internal clock still thinks it's an hour earlier. My son hasn't been screaming, but he has stayed awake in his crib and talked to himself as late as 9. We decided to move his bedtime back 1/2 hour to 8 instead of 7:30, hoping it will be a compromise for his system and easier to adjust. Best wishes.
my daughter is going thru the same thing right now she thinks she can go to bed when she wants too this past week she has been going to bed around 11 or later which is hard considering i have to get up at 5 to get my older girls up for school..what i started to doin is after i have finished cleaning up dinner, i get her and sit with her and read a book to her then we will sing 2 songs and i let her know before hand that after we do this that is time for bed right after and so far it has worked out. you might even ask him if he would like for u to lay with him for a few moments till he is nice and tucked in that worked for my other daughter. if by chance u find something else let me know as well.....hope this works for u cause i know how it is.
