2.5 year old crying for hours at night

[Mumssupportingmums]

Has anyone got any advice?

my 2.5 year old has been crying for hours at noght. He goes to bed ok sometimes, other times upset but wakes a few hours later. Last night up from 10pm-2am (I’m up now 5am for work).

when I asked why upset he said I don’t want to sleep, it’s not bedtime, I want to get up.

also been having lots more tantrums in the day and asserting independence.

now we don’t want to co sleep and we did use Ferber training back in the day, so I did that last night but would stay for longer intervals and give cuddles and talk etc. he only settled when dad went in for the second time!

any advice, is this a phase! Help! I’m exhausted 😭

Both mine went through this. I just let them come in my bed but rolled over and pretended to be asleep or did actually sleep and they stayed next to me in bed

Of course he's at that age so it's a phase, but one thing that usually works is wearing them out all day. Lots of active outdoor play will do it. A warm bath before bed and some essential oils in a diffuser too. This is our magic combination, hope it helps you!

@flowerchild2000 thank you for the tips. Unfortunately we are going through a big phase of tantrums in the day. He currently refuses to walk and wants to sit in the pram, won’t go to parks anymore cos of dogs, so trying to find activities to wear him out haha! Also has suddenly become scared of the bath and won’t bath. As you can see we’ve got lots of protest in different areas, haven’t tried the diffuser though so will give that a go!!

Last night, he would stop crying when I went in and would say ‘no more tears, tuck me in mummy’ then I would stroke his head for a bit and leave and then he’d throw his piggy out the cot and start shouting and crying mummy mummy again! And repeat. He’s never done well with us staying in the room as he falls asleep, it distracts him.

Is he still napping? We went through a really awful time with bedtime at around that stage and dropping the nap did help a lot. I was reluctant when he seemed so tired!

I recognise a lot of the comments you have made. We have a wonderful DS but he is bright and independent and at 2.5 we had battles over so many things. It was just exhausting and demoralising.

If it helps at all, now at 3.5 it's so much better and all those battles have disappeared. It gets better!!

Can you sit with him until he's asleep? IME he'll drop off much quicker with you or dad there, and then everyone else can sleep too!

EDIT: reread your posts and seen that doesn't help, sorry!

Night light? DD started waking at around that age. She’d previously slept best in darkness, but I think she started having more vivid dreams. A low night light has helped, as she can find her cuddly toys and blanket again if she wakes up distressed, and mostly gets herself back to sleep.

Gro clock? I've recently got one and my 2.5yo actually now believes me when I say it's not time to get up yet

He sounds tired to me. Does he still nap? Is it worth reintroducing a short one if he doesn't? Second other suggestions re night light, our daughter seems more settled with one on. Also could be worth trying a gro clock? That helped our daughter stop calling out after she was put to bed.

@snackprovidersupreme He is still napping atm! I don’t think he’s ready to drop it yet, he usually has around a 45 min nap! He doesn’t have too much of an issue falling asleep just more upset at bedtime but not sure about the night wakings.

@RiaOverTheRainbow Yeah so when I sit there he doesn’t go sleepy he just thinks it’s playtime but when I leave he’s upset so it’s a bit frustrating!!

@SErunner yes he still naps for about 45 mins. He has a grow clock which turns green in the morning which he usually loves! Unless there is some development going on why he’s suddenly waking or something! Or teeth 😂🙄

The only advice I'd give is take him into your bed. The most sleep for the most people is my motto.

Could be teeth. Always could be teeth 😂 Not one for over medicating but try some calpol or neurofen in case it is? Otherwise I'm sorry, it sounds like a horrid phase!