Getting my 2 year old to sleep?

Question

My 2 year old has alllllways been a good sleeper-put him in his crib (now bed) and he would stay in and go right to sleep. Now, it is INSANE trying to get him to lay down, he gets out of bed and stands by the door screaming, "open door"--I hate spanking him to make him stay in the bed and it's not all that effective. I have laid with him and that works-but I don't want to get in the habit of doing that. How do I get him to stay in his own bed like he used to?

Answer 1

You're going to have to be prepared for about a week of pure TORTURE for yourselves, but it almost guarantees and good night's sleep after that. :)  Trust me on this, it's proven to work, although it may seem silly at first.  You NEED TO STICK TO IT.

Get an evening routine established.  Whether it be bath, then brush teeth, then read book, then bed, whatever.  Then, tell your baby boy that it's time for bed, and he has to go to sleep.  Lay him down and say your goodnights, then leave the room (you may keep the door open or closed, nightlight or no nightlight.)  If he screams for you to come back, ignore him.

If he gets up, pick him up, say "It's bedtime."  DO NOT talk to him.  He will try to use techniques to get you to listen, like "I'm thirsty" or "I'm scared."  he is using them as a tactic to get you to stay in his room or let him stay awake.  Do not answer him.  Lay him back down in bed, say "goodnight" and walk out.

Repeat as needed.  There will probably be a week or so where he may scream for 20 minutes up to 2 hours, and even get up as many as 30 times.  You need to just stick to it.  Trust me.  I'm a mother, and a nanny-turned-day-care-provider.  I've taken many childcare courses and have had lots of personal experience.  This is the best tactic!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would leave the door open, but put a baby gate at the door. Then he won't feel so "trapped" in his room. I also leave books in my daughters bed(she is also two) with a night light on for her to see them.

I just recently picked her up a little flashlight from the dollar store, and she thinks it is the best thing going. she reads her books with it, and usually drifts off in twenty minutes or so.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

I definitely wouldn't spank or even shout. I think if he's going to get to sleep he needs you to be very calm, and matter of fact. And be firm but not angry.

Explain it's bedtime, and he can't get out and play, put him into bed. Go out.

Come back after 5 minutes, put him back into bed and leave quickly without any more explaining.

Repeat and repeat until he gets bored trying.

I think it will work but you will have to sacrifice at least one evening and be very patient. But it will be worth it when he's sleeping again and you get your evenings back.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Don't feed him anything half an hour before he goes to sleep. It could keep him up and give him nightmares. Second, if he doesn't have a night light in his room, put one in there. He might be afraid of the dark. Read him a story before bed if you didn't do it before, and try to find one that has something to do with the night or sleeping. Whatever is preventing him from sleeping, it's probably that he's afraid because he wants to sleep with you.

Answer 5

is he saying he wants the door to be left open?  if this is the case, go ahead and leave it open...  sometimes they get scared being in there alone (they are more aware, once they get older, of what sounds and shadows are around them)..  try putting a nightlight in there so he can see better, play some soothing music, run a fan..  these all helped with our daughters!

Answer 6

i agree, a night light and some soft music, or fan will help.  my daughters like to have the door cracked.  we read two bedtime stories every night too, that might help.

Answer 7

I agree you can try to leave the door opened if that's what he wants, but also tell him if he wants to have the door open like a big boy, he has to stay in bed... and if he gets out of bed you'll shut the door.  This may also sound harsh, but if you try all the lights, music, and all that and it doesn't work, you can just try giving him some time.  My girls both cried at the door for awhle (10-20min) and then would eventually fall asleep (maybe even on the floor).  But, they did eventually figure out it was just easier to stay in bed.  

It sounds like it's just a phase to me, give him some time and he'll go back to the good sleep he's always been!!

Answer 8

Put him back in his crib, and put a crib tent over the top to keep him from getting up.  That is EXACTLY why our 23 month old son is still in his crib- we really dont want him getting out of bed and wandering around the house without us realizing it at night.  What was the hurry to get him into a bed, anyway?  If he fits and cant get out (thanks for the crib tent), there shouldnt be any rush to get them into the bigger bed.

Answer 9

leave the door open. Read a bed time story. After the story turn on some baby classics and give hime a stuffed animal.

Answer 10

At about the age of 2, my daughter started having sleeping problems. She was always a good sleeper then all of a sudden, she wasn't. At 3, I still have to be in the room with her when she falls asleep. I have a rocking chair next to her bed and I sit in it until she's asleep. I've read about gradually moving the chair closer to the door each night until you're eventually out of the room but have yet to try it. We have found bribery to be the best tool for keeping her in bed. If she stays in bed all night for a week, she gets to go to the store and pick out a SMALL toy. She's allowed to turn on her light and play in the middle of the night if she wants but she knows not to come to our room (unless she's scared, has a nightmare, needs to potty, etc.).

The best advice I can give: patience.