Bedtime hell

[Rch810]

Hi there,

I am looking for some advice about my son who is 2. He has recently become what I can only describe as bed time phobic! Many of you will probably be reading this and thinking that it is normal but for us it is a new thing! He is awake every night until 10 and last night 10.30. He cries hysterically and is not soothed by us going up to him. Last night I tried leaving him to cry and this simply upset me and him. I wondered if anyone else has the same issues or can suggest anything that they have found that works?

[DontForgetTheLightAlesLawrence]

Oh how awful. Is he awake now? How do you normally get him to sleep? Do you always leave him, or are one of you always with him 'til he sleeps?

[DontForgetTheLightAlesLawrence]

Has he had lots more chocolate than usual? Sugar thing?

[DontForgetTheLightAlesLawrence]

Or, has there been lots of changes in his usual routine?

[spanish inquisition]

[lauramcc80]

As hard as it is u need to let them cry for a wee bit so they don't think every time they do u will just run to them I had to do it with my son every night for a week and although it upset me it worked because I knew he was ok and safe and the crying each night got less and less good luck x

[niceupthedance]

I'm having a similar problem. He won't stay in his bed, hours and hours of hysteria.

Considering getting him a bed instead of cot, it can't make things worse...

Watching for more ideas.

[Tinselandchocolates]

Had this with my DS at the same age. It's a developmental stage where their imaginations are sparking to life and they get bad dreams/see imaginary creatures/ get scared of the dark.

After much trial and error the things that worked for us were various lights that he could control, star lights, torch light and a groclock.
These stopped him being petrified, and it wasn't him being awkward, he was absolutely terrified of being left alone. We also had to do gradual withdrawal and it took about 6 weeks of sitting with him and returning to bed.

I'm sure it would have been quicker leaving him to cry, but I knew he was scared and I wouldn't do that. He's 2.5 now and back to sleeping through 7-6, except the odd night when he's poorly. Goes to sleep on his own no problem after stories by torchlight, which he loves, and putting his torch back to activate the nightlight.

Good luck. It's just another of those, "this too shall pass" moments.

[Tinselandchocolates]

Oh and DS grew up in a total blackout room and never had a nightlight (as I disapproved) til then. But all of a sudden, the dark was terrifying. Took a while for me to work it out I'm ashamed to say.

[Rch810]

Sorry for the late repy, I have only just logged on! Thanks for all of the advice, he seems to be just starting to get a bit better now after leaving a landing night on and the door wide open ;-)