Help!

[Landlocked]

Okay here it goes. You all know we have an adorable little boy that you have seen pictures of.
The problem is, he's almost 2 and he still wakes up every night at about 11 and refuses to sleep in his bed. We asked the doctor what to do and he said to let him scream for about ten minutes and then go tell him hat "everything's okay" and let him scream for another ten minutes and repeat until he's sleep. But this kid will not give up. He can shake the windows in the house when he screams.

We usually give in at about 2 or 3 am and put him in the bed with us so we can try to get some sleep. I'm sure you all are familiar with how a 2 year old sleeps in the bed with you - sideways. His head is usually digging into my ribcage and his feet are kicking Mama in the side of the head.

Peapod, you have 4 so I know you have an answer to this one....

 

[TooFarTampa]

Okay here it goes. You all know we have an adorable little boy that you have seen pictures of.
The problem is, he's almost 2 and he still wakes up every night at about 11 and refuses to sleep in his bed. We asked the doctor what to do and he said to let him scream for about ten minutes and then go tell him hat "everything's okay" and let him scream for another ten minutes and repeat until he's sleep. But this kid will not give up. He can shake the windows in the house when he screams.

We usually give in at about 2 or 3 am and put him in the bed with us so we can try to get some sleep. I'm sure you all are familiar with how a 2 year old sleeps in the bed with you - sideways. His head is usually digging into my ribcage and his feet are kicking Mama in the side of the head.

Peapod, you have 4 so I know you have an answer to this one....

I'm no Peapod, but I think earplugs are better than a helmet.

Are your neighbors so close that he will wake them up? If not then you will just have to bite the bullet. Let him scream. If he is in a bed, not a crib, make sure there is a gate there so he can't run out of the room. Eventually he will go back into his bed and sleep. It may take a few days, it may take a week, but IMO he is manipulating you. I have a 2 year old and I know how they can be. Go in every 10 minutes at first to reassure him, but extend the time to 15, then 20. If you don't nip this in the bud, it will be a nightmare if little Landlocked No. 2 comes along.

 

[Jdarg]

I feel for you LL! TFT is right, but I was not good at that advice. I did use earplugs. I just can't stand crying! When Will was a baby, I would sit outside and cry while he was crying it out.

 

[Landlocked]

We have tried to just let him scream it out in the past and have had some success with it. The problem is that a couple weeks back, we were letting him cry and she went in there a couple hours later and he had thrown up in the bed.

That'll make a new mom feel like crap.

 

[TooFarTampa]

We have tried to just let him scream it out in the past and have had some success with it. The problem is that a couple weeks back, we were letting him cry and she went in there a couple hours later and he had thrown up in the bed. That'll make a new mom feel like crap.

I hope I didn't sound glib or like it was easy. And yes, we have had this issue too but not to that extreme. I think every parent does. Do you think he got so worked up that he threw up because he was scared? Have you tried a night light? That may help. If he was sick, I am guilty of being skittish after a bout of illness and checking when mine cries in the middle of the night, and then realizing I've been had. Usually it takes a couple of days afterward to get back into the routine.

Bottom line though, it is your job to teach him to sleep on his own. You will be doing him a big favor. And yourselves too. But this is a tough age. It is hard to reason with them. It is a good thing they are cute.

 

[seagrovelover]

Double L, I did not have this problem with my two but my neighbor is having to deal with that right now. She has tried a radio in her daughters room playing very soft music, this has helped her daughter calm down and put herself back to sleep. My only advice to you is stay strong, you are the parent and as hard as it is to do, you have to let the little guy know that you and mommy are the boss, when you say stay in bed and go to sleep he has to know that you mean business. If you go get him every time and put him in bed with you, then he will know no matter how long he screams and cries mom and dad will eventually come get me. good luck!!! I feel for you, I really do......sometimes being a parent is so hard!!!

 

[Landlocked]

I hope I didn't sound glib or like it was easy. And yes, we have had this issue too but not to that extreme. I think every parent does. Do you think he got so worked up that he threw up because he was scared? Have you tried a night light? That may help. If he was sick, I am guilty of being skittish after a bout of illness and checking when mine cries in the middle of the night, and then realizing I've been had. Usually it takes a couple of days afterward to get back into the routine.

Bottom line though, it is your job to teach him to sleep on his own. You will be doing him a big favor. And yourselves too. But this is a tough age. It is hard to reason with them. It is a good thing they are cute.

He apparently had a stomach virus, which he then gave to me, which is why I barfed all over the place at Publix.

 

[Ocean Lover]

We have tried to just let him scream it out in the past and have had some success with it. The problem is that a couple weeks back, we were letting him cry and she went in there a couple hours later and he had thrown up in the bed.

That'll make a new mom feel like crap.

My daughter used to do this. It is soooo hard. But I think it's also another way of manipulating. I feel for you. I made the mistake of laying down with her until she fell asleep. Very bad idea...lasted for years.

 

[TooFarTampa]

He apparently had a stomach virus, which he then gave to me, which is why I barfed all over the place at Publix.

Oh that's right. You need sleep. This week I would say you and your wife need to take turns being strong. Whoever is most worn out should sleep on the couch tonight. The other one has earplug duty. Then tomorrow night, switch. LL we are rooting for you. You can do it!!! :clap_1:

 

[lindatat]

Wow, tough situation. We went through the "let them cry" phase when they were babies (less than 6 months old.) It was tough then, but we all got through it. Can't imagine trying to use that technique with a 2 year old. Seems to me there has to be a better way to help a toddler sleep through the night. The nightlight idea may be a good one. We have a light in my kids' room that's shaped like a crescent moon - they find it really comforting. I've seen others shaped like a star with holes in it that make stars reflect on the ceiling. You also might want to play some soft music in his room.