Help needed with 2 yo who refuses to go to bed!!!!

[catwilko]

Hi there!

My 33 month old little boy has started stalling when I take him to bed. We've always had the same routine, teeth, story then lights out but all of a sudden my LB has started screaming and shouting every time I leave him to go to sleep! He's even started climbing over his baby gate to get out his room! I've literally tried everything I know of but nothing seems to work and I'm tearing my hair out! Any advise welcome, please help!!!

Is he in a bed or cot? Has he stated nursery?

Does he have a nightlight?

My dd used to sleep in pitch black but as she got older required a nightlight, I think she was around 3 when this started.

Could you take him out to buy him a special bedtime teddy / blanket as a soother to help him settle?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out what may help / hinder.

Your not alone in bedtime battles, it's hell at times!

Hi there! Thank you for replying!

He's in a bed so gets in and out when he likes but we have a baby gate on his bedroom door to stop him coming into our room all night long. Yeah he's been going to nursery since he was 9 months old although only 1 day a week currently as I'm only part time and his grandparents look after him a day each too 😊

He has always slept in the dark but when he started doing all this we put a light in his room thinking that could maybe be it but it's made no difference. He just wants you to stay with him and when you attempt to go, that's when he starts.

He has a comforter which he's had since being a baby and he still sleeps with his dummy (it's the only time in the day that he gets it now) and he has quite a few other teddies on his bed with him too.

I cut out his afternoon nap today to see if that worked and tbf, he fell asleep during his story but he woke up at about 10 and started shouting for me and when I went up that's when he started again, not wanting me to leave the room.

He's always been so good at going to bed and with sleeping so I'm totally baffled as to why this has all started, and because there's no reasoning with him you end up going round and round in circles with him which is playing havoc with my stress levels!

Any advice would be truly welcome! X

Ok, you've tried all I would of.
I'm a bit soft and always ended up having dd in my bed laying with her to sleep, I would NOT suggest this

Could you sit with him until he falls asleep? When he gets out of bed, put him back, no talking other than firmly say bedtime. Keep on until eventually he nods off. It might seem like a step back but your stressed, his stressed and if your firm and consistent then eventually he will get the message.

I've a 2yo who slept from 7-7 from 9 weeks in her own room (inter joins with my room) and at 12 months she refused to go in her cot. I should of done the gradual retreat or back to bed thing but didn't and paying for it now!

Your ds is not in pain, hungry, cold etc, you've made sure he is cosy and comfortable, it might be him just trying it it on / separation anxiety etc. A few weeks of consistent back to bed or sitting with him maybe all it takes.
If after 2 weeks the problem isn't resolved you try something else. It takes patience though and can be really stressful but long term it's better. wish I'd take my own advise but I just end up laying with her