Our 2 1/2 year old son Jack has always gone to sleep without a problem. Bath, book, rocking chair, kiss, into bed without a single tear. Since about Christmas he has started refusing to go to sleep. Repeated requests for water, rocking, another book etc. and then crying and screaming when we leave. I don't mind letting him "cry it out" for a while, but my husband hates that and will go back in whenever he screams, thus teaching him that screaming will get attention from Dad. We've now tried sitting in the rocking chair next to his bed with him until he falls asleep, but what happens is we usually fall asleep too! Nothing has changed at home, he went from a crib to a "rail off" crib/bed several months ago and we try to keep him on the same schedule. I've heard about the "No Cry Sleep Solution" book, but haven't heard if it's good or not. Please help with your suggestions! Thanks!
With my son we have added giving him a flashlight at night and he'll lay there on his own "reading" his book and will peacefully go to sleep. Then I go in a little while later and turn the flashlight off. I'm just like your husband. I can't let my son cry it out either.
Just wondering what he's eating or drinking at dinner time or just before bed. If he's having chocolate or anything with any bit of caffeine, that could affect him. Also, a study whose results came out less than a year ago proved that sodium benzoate (a common preservative that's found in every soda I've checked) and certain food colorings (also very common) can cause hyperactivity in children. Very few doctors have studied much at all about nutrition, and it is so important. I've studied a lot about it due to my son's own sensitivities. By the way, I've also learned that the effects of sugar or food additives don't reach their full effect 'til 3-4 hours after they're ingested. It's not as easy to "go healthy" with your family's diet, especially with all the fast foods and junky things so available to us out there, but it sure is worth doing it when you see the improvement in behavior!
Here's just one article about the subject:
http://www.mindfully.org/Food/Additives/Artificial-Colori...
P.S. If you are careful about what he eats and drinks and you still have difficulty with his sleep, it may be a biological problem for which you need medical help. I applaud you for caring enough to reach out to others. Best wishes to you!
Hi T., I have a 4 1/2 yr old and a 3yr old son, and a 4 month old daughter. We also live in Northeast San Antonio, Live Oak actually. Our boys have always been good about bedtime as well, we have always had a routine about it just like you. I do have to say that right about 2 1/2 to 3 years old they both went through what your son is doing and they are just testing the waters. If you are certain that there isn't any reason for the anxiety he seems to showing about going to bed, then just stick with your routine, make sure he's had a drink, gone potty, so that YOU know he doesn't NEED anything else, and then when he gets out of bed just say, "It's bedtime" and put him back in. Just keep putting him back in bed without continueing to respond to him verbally after the first, "It's bedtime" and he will get the hint. It may take a few nights, but be consistent. We have always had a strong resolve about bedtime, because that is the only time my husband and I get to spend together, and kids need to get a good night's sleep. Our kids are early risers so all we can control as far as how much sleep they get is get them to bed at a decent time. Hope this helps.
Is he still napping as much as he was? If so, cut down on the naps. If he was napping twice, he only needs 1. If he was napping for 1 and 1/2 hours, then cut it down to 45 min., etc. See if that helps. He may be getting too much sleep and does not need to go to bed that early or needs to cut down some during the day. He is also testing you and wants to be with you more than sleep of course. He may also have a problem with the bed. Whatever it is, it is very normal. My kids have all gone through the same thing. You need to discuss it with your husband so that you 2 can come to a compromise that will work for both of you. It's the consistency that will work.
S.
