Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

Original poster

2.5 year old won’t sleep alone

2 replies

Rachaelc1981 · 25/11/2023 11:06

Hi I really need some advice, not looking to be judged I just need some help please

My 2.5 year old son has always been a bad sleeper. He’s still in our room in a cot bed. The only way I can get him to sleep is to fall asleep on me then I transfer him into his bed. He sleeps in the for a few hours then wakes crying. So I settle him on me until asleep then transfer back into bed. This can take a while sometimes. By 2am I’ve had enough and bring him downstairs and sleep with him on sofa so husband and other children can sleep. So I’ve pretty much slept on the sofa for about 2 years. I have posted on here before and people suggested getting a bigger bed or putting into own room but they are not an option at the moment. I really need to get him to sleep in his bed and for me to sleep in mine. This is actually starting to effect my marriage. Please can anyone offer any advice? Thank you

OP posts:
caringcarer · 25/11/2023 11:38

I'm not judging you but you have a child that can't sled without you because you never put DC in a cot in their own room and if they cried checked them every 7-8 mins but left them in a room alone with a teddy to cuddle. Now DC is 2 it will be harder to break the habit but you can still do it. It will probably mean a week or so of DC crying a lot and you feeling terrible but if you don't do it now in 2 years time you will be on here saying exactly the same but with a 4 year old who can't sleep without you. Children have slept in their own rooms without parents for generations and it hasn't hurt them. They just need to break the habit and you need to be firmer and not give in. What can happen if you leave your DC in their own room? They cry, nothing worse. They might work themselves up into a state but it's only for about a week and after that your DC will have learned to self sooth.

Original poster
Rachaelc1981 · 25/11/2023 15:40

caringcarer · 25/11/2023 11:38

I'm not judging you but you have a child that can't sled without you because you never put DC in a cot in their own room and if they cried checked them every 7-8 mins but left them in a room alone with a teddy to cuddle. Now DC is 2 it will be harder to break the habit but you can still do it. It will probably mean a week or so of DC crying a lot and you feeling terrible but if you don't do it now in 2 years time you will be on here saying exactly the same but with a 4 year old who can't sleep without you. Children have slept in their own rooms without parents for generations and it hasn't hurt them. They just need to break the habit and you need to be firmer and not give in. What can happen if you leave your DC in their own room? They cry, nothing worse. They might work themselves up into a state but it's only for about a week and after that your DC will have learned to self sooth.

Thank you for your reply. You’re right, I need to break the habit of him needing me to sleep. I just need to be stronger ! By 2am my patience has disappeared and I just give in. I need to start and I’m going to start tonight ! 😬

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page