Why are my two year olds waking up in the middle of the night?

Question

I have two year old twin boys. They have been sleeping through the night since they were 3 months old. For the past three weeks, they have started freaking out when it came to bed time. They would scream and cry that they didn't want to go to bed and that they "Needed Mommy and Daddy". Most of the time it's one of them who starts this and then the other one follows his lead. It has even gotten to the point where we have to let them fall asleep on the couch (where they used to tell us when they were ready at 8pm). We now put them down and then one or the other (or both) will wake up at about 1am and start screaming "I need my Mommy and Daddy". This is foreign to us because they were such good sleepers. I have tried to let them cry it out but it would go on for hours if I let it. We have resorted to just getting the crier (or both) and putting them in our bed so we can regain some sleep and sanity. I know this is not good but we are at our wits end and don't know what to do.

HELP!!!

Answer 1

Its only natural if you give them half a teaspoon full of calpol at night they should be asleep for at least 9 hours! Calpol you can get it at any shop or chemist, about £2 or $3  

Answer 2

Gosh, your question just stir up some residues that I'd let it settled for years. My girl is 6 years old now and she did exactly the same when she was reaching 2 years old. She would scream at night in the bedroom and wouldn't stop unless i brought her to the living room. I got so mad and started screaming at her as I couldn't figure out what's wrong with sleeping in the bedroom?

My husband felt it was hopeless so all of us shifted our beds to the living room. Friends who visited us during that period thought we were weird. Somehow the bedroom became her playing room and it took us almost a year to sleep back in there.

Taking into account that she'd been sleeping soundly in the past and also a well-tempered girl in the day. My conclusion about this form of screaming could be that children at this age were afraid of their body reactions towards certain things as their senses are more acute. Falling asleep or feeling tired maybe frightening for the little ones. And for our case, since she spent most of her time in the living room, she felt safer to sleep in there. Cuddle them, don't let them cried out. Soon this phrase will pass.

Answer 3

I'm going back 30 years & I have a grandson also... I would try anything BUT bringing them in your bed... creates more problems down the line.  With my boys, I found that at the minimum of 1/2 hour before bed we would get ready for bed, turn down lights, wind down - and keep it relaxing/quiet before going to bed.  (they didn't want to miss anything that was going on)  I found a book of 5 minuet bed time stories.  All 3 of my boys (2 yrs apart)  would cuddle up in their bed and I would read or make up a "happy" story (or 2) before bed... tuck them in, put lots of stuffed animals around each kid (like anchors) give them kisses and leave a night lite on in a hallway (not in the room but something to give them a little light so it isn't pitch black in there). If one left their bed and came to ours I would hug them, ask if there was a problem and if not really a problem, walk them back to their bed.  Sometimes sitting on their bed for a few minuets comforting them.  My son will sometimes  also lay on the floor next to their 2 year olds bed and rub his back till he falls asleep - My son's boy, 3-1/2 now, only went through this for a little while and stays in bed until early morning (5 - 6 am)  it is important that they sleep in their own bed. I think around 2 they realize mom & dad can go away and/or they might miss something interesting going on. Even if you have to sleep with them in their bed, (only on really bad nights), I think it is better than brining them into your bed. It's like setting the rules, even this young they need rules.  

Answer 4

maybe the father was an owl ;)

Answer 5

This is a tough one. The worst thing to do is allow them to control the situation. If you begin a routine where they are allowed to fall asleep on the couch, they are going to realize that if they put up enough fuss, you will give in. You need to remain strong and firm with them. Try staying with them in their room until they fall asleep. This way they know that bedtime means falling asleep in their own bed.

As far as the waking up in the middle of the night, try going in their room with them and comforting them until they fall asleep. Again, if they realize that fussing will get them into your bed, they will learn this quickly, and use it against you every time!

Good luck!

Answer 6

That sounds all too familiar. Try getting a bedtime routine if you don't already have one. It should be the same thing at the same time every night. Instead of letting them cry it out or giving in try this:

Tell them it is night night time and if they don't stop crying you are leaving. If they don't stop leave the room for 5 minutes. Then go back in and tell them to go to bed or you will leave again. The next time leave for 6 minutes. Then when they listen sit in a chair next to the crib until they fall asleep. If they wake up during the night do the same thing over again. Trust me they will thank you for helping them sleep better.

My 2 y/o slept with us and woke up several times during the night. I was at my wits end and tried the Dana Obleman Sleep Sense Program and it worked miracles!

Answer 7

I know how difficult this can be.  Although I didn't have twins.  So you have double the trouble.  Little ones can get into bad habits so quickly.  I can see why it is upsetting for them to awake, begging for you.  I would make an effort not to let them be rewarded by letting them fall asleep on the couch.  They will just keep pushing the envelope.  Bedtime will just get harder and harder.  Go back to your bedtime rituals...reading, cuddling, and then tell them it's time to go to bed.  If they get up, take them back to bed.  If you let them get started getting into bed with you, things will only be worse.  And you will not be able to sleep.  I had to let my 2 year old (years ago), cry herself to sleep.  I went by the directions from my Dr. Spock book.  It took a long time to get my nerves ready to go through the pain.  The first night was pretty bad.  I sat on the floor outside her room.  And cried, too.  I think it must have been 2 hours.  But the next night, it was only 30 minutes, the next night 5 minutes.  And the battle was won.  Good luck.

Answer 8

u have to let them cry it out.  don't allow them to fall asleep on the couch. just trow them in their rooms and that's it.  they are just getting smarter that's all and they want some extra attention.  omg get them out of ur bed lol   maybe u can try and do more with them during the day.. ( not saying that ur not)   :):)  well good luck and don't let them run ur life.  ur the MOMMY

Answer 9

We are going throught the same kind of thing with our 2 year old twin boys. It is hard because the share a room with their 6 year old brother who has to get up to go to school.  

Answer 10

nightmares or fear of "monsters" are common from ages 2+. Think back and see if maybe they saw a movie or something that triggered their imagination to run wild. The times when you dream are a few hours after falling asleep and just before waking up this could contribute to the waking up and screaming.