My 22 month old used to sleep through the night no problem. But starting about 1 month ago like clock work he is up at 3am. It takes him forever to go back to sleep after this time if he even goes to sleep at all. I tried let him cry it out (this tatic worked when he was younger) this does not work. I have done nightlights/ music/ tv/ warm milk and none of it works. 4 hours later he finally crashes but only for an hour and then hes up ready for his day. He goes down for bed every night at 9:30 does not have any problems heading off to sleep but come 3 am hes up and wants to play/watch tv anything but go back to sleep. He has had night terrors, but that is not what this is. Hes fully aware of what is going on. During the day i only give him and hour nap and have even tried skipping the nap to fix this problem. also because of his lack of sleep he is horrible (crabby and just plain horrible to be around) all day long. I work full time and getting 3 to 4 hours a night just not working for me or him
Ok so i bought a sound machine and a lamp, and he also begged to let his dog sleep with him, i told him she could only stay if he slept through the night....8o clock is bedtime, we read 3 books, turn on the sound machine (which runs all night, and leave the lamp on, kisses his dog night and success... two weeks straight of sleeping through the night. Thanks everyone
It has become a habit. Stop doing anything in the middle of the night. Just be firm, tell him it's bed time, end of story.
If he is still in the crib, leave him be when he wakes up and let him self sooth to go back to sleep. Unless he is crying like something is trying to hurt him, let him complain if he is making noise or let him play if that is what he is doing.
Don't skip naps during the day either cause that only makes it worse. At this age, both my kids were still napping 1 1/2-2 hrs two times a day and sleeping at night.
Good luck
S.
Had to think about this one Nikkie because it sounds as you have tried a lot already. Best thing I can tell you is to be firm; make sure his needs are met and let him CIO. He needs to know this is not fun time or personal time with mommy. Another thing you can try is start introducing him to timeouts as he is almost 2 yo. My 2 yo foster boy would get out of bed and play at 3-4 am and generally mess up the house while we slept. After catching him a few times in the act and sending him to timeout he doesn't leave his bed till we come get him at about 6:15 am. Consistancy works better than anything else, but they still have their free will ;-). Good Luck!
9:30 seems awfully late for a 2 year old. My 7 yr old goes to bed at 8pm and my 3 yr old goes to bed at 7:30pm - both sleep until at least 7am. You might try putting him to bed earlier and see if that helps.
My son wakes up in the middle of the night or too early if he goes to bed too late. I have no clue why it works out this way, it just does. I think 9:30 sounds a bit late for a 2 year old. My son is 3 and a half and his bedtime is 7 - 7:30. I have found with my own son that if he goes to bed later than 8 oclock he wakes up earlier and is more restless at night. You might try an earlier bedtime and see if that works for you. Good luck!!
My son is 20 months old and has a similar problem some times. He wakes up screaming from a night terror. When I know it is a night terror letting him self sooth will not help. He is scared and just wants to see me. What has worked for me is that I go into his room, I don't turn on the light and I don't talk to him too much. Maybe a uick shhhh or "it's ok". I pick him up and hold him for a couple of minutes until he calms down. I then put him back in his crip and say "night, night". If he is crying I don't go in their for another 15 minutes. When I go in again I don't pick him up, I just rub his back for a couple of minutes. This helps and the problem is gone within a couple of days.
Another thing you could try is to have a favorite blanket and stuffed animals in the crib so that when he wakes up he can play with them until he drifts off to sleep
He has created a nasty habit for himself.
Get him a digital clock. Cover the minute side with tape.
Tell him that when the clock says 7 or 6 or whatever time you choose, he can wake up. Tape a copy of the magic number on the wall so he can see it.
If the clock doesn't say 7, it's not time to wake up.
Trust me - he's almost 2. He can figure this out. I got my kids clocks very early... I need sleep -- more than they ever did...
YMMV
LBC
I know this sounds counterproductive, but he needs more sleep. He should be sleeping 11-12 hours at night and 2-3 hours during the day. Sleep begets sleep. Check out Elizabeth Pantley's book "The No-Cry Sleep Solution". It has a sleeping chart and suggests to help. Hang in there!
