Screaming/tantrums in the middle of the night - age 2

[clemette]

Our DS was two in January and has always been an appalling sleeper. He has slept through the night (7-5) only a couple of times in his life. His current pattern is to sleep until about 2am and then scream to be taken downstairs to start the day! If we don't he has a full-on screaming tantrum for up to 90minutes until he gives up and goes back to sleep (in our bed!) for about an hour, getting up for the day at 5.30. I am at a loss what to do about it. He isn't hungry, he isn't teething, he just wants to get up. Every night is the same so he doesn't seem to be learning that the tantrum doesn't lead to us getting up.
Has anyone else experienced this and how did you overcome it?
Thanks in advance.

Really? That's excellent! Thanks I'll have to have a look for it.

It's not her having the tiny quantity of alcohol that bothers me, but the alcoholic taste IYSWIM. What is the non-alcoholic one based on? Oil?

Hi clemente. Thanks for your post. My child is going through exactly the same and I seem to have tried all what you have called out. Wanted to check if anything did help you. Really appreciate this. Thanks. Regards, Varun

@varunkl did you have any luck?? I realise this is a super old post but in the last few months did anything change??

I have literally the same problem that Clemette did with my 2 year old.I am at my wits end. I try to reason with her and stay calm but it seems only raising my voice sometimes helps. And I don’t want to do that. Anyone can help?

Hi. I’ve realised this post is from 12 years ago so as a mum to a 2 year old having insane night tantrums, I’ve taken to ask if these settled or if your son had sleep issues for much longer. You probably don’t even have access to the account anymore lol

Hello! Glad to find someone still commenting on this thread. I also wonder what happened with the other mums and their then-toddlers.

It's 1:55 am now and anticipating my own child's meltdown, which starts around this time. He has been doing it since Tues last week. Yesterday, he screamed his head off at 1:50 am and slept at 2:30 am. I thought it was all over until he woke up at 5:40 am screaming. My spouse and I were so exhausted and frustrated after. Our flatmate didn't get to go to work as he lost sleep over the screaming. I feel so embarrassed and couldn't face our flatmate. So for the remainder of the day, we ignored his tantrums. I would also leave the room when the tantrums escalate. He would eventually quiet down. Hopefully he doesn't wake and if he does, I hope to have the patience, calm and determination as the other mums here did.

Hope you got your little one's night tantrums sorted out!

FromManilatoLondon…hello! It’s been 4 months since I posted. The frequency of the tantrums has reduced considerably. Even the length of each one and severity I would say. But they do happen from time to time. And a lot of the times more than once that same night. I think a lot of it is to do with not having a good nap in the day. Being overtired. Sometimes being upset at bedtime. Ours started because I stopped breastfeeding and it was frustration during the night. But has become somewhat of a habit.
with my Lo nothing can be done to stop them when they happen. Have to wait it out. I am equally embarrassed of my neighbours and avoid any contact with them because of it. Can’t imagine how it is impacting their lives.

At least for the most part there is improvement. Hopefully for you too soon. Hang in there. And patience is not easy. Ear plugs are not a bad idea if your child doesn’t want anything other than to scream. Helps keep your own emotions under control.

Hi, DS has currently started doing this over the past 5 nights. He has just gone through a growth spurt. Did you find a way to get him to stop or did you DS stop after a few days/weeks on their own? Thank you in advance for any reply x