Community› The Bump Message Boards› Toddlers: 24 Months+
Toddlers: 24 Months+
New Discussion

I need sleep advice re: sleep separation anxiety. Please?

ShuTreeShuTree
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

I am extremely exhausted today. I can't even stand up straight.  I think I got a total of 3 1/2 hrs sleep last night.  Background Info: My 2.5 yr old boy has been in big boy  bed now and we're on week 3.  First week, hell. Second week he started staying in his bed at night and sleeping through.  Friday we had a thunderstorm so he woke in the middle of night and wouldn't stay in bed.  DH went into his bed and slept with him in his room. Ever since this, my 2 yr old will NOT stay in bed and the longer it goes on the more anxiety he gets about separating from us.  I have a nightllight, sound machine, and leave the door open.  Our bedroom is straight down the hall so our door faces his.

Last night bedtime started at 8:30 with stories, etc...he didn't go to bed until 10:45 after we constantly walked him down the hall into his room. I even stayed in the room with him waitin for him to sleep and the moment I leave he hears a tiny  noise and wakes running saying "No mommy No!!!"  I tried the gate and that freaks him out so I took that down.  This went on until I think he just gave up and went to bed. I didn't do anything different. 

 Wakes at 2am - won't stay in bed.  I tried staying in his room at the door while he fell asleep but he would eventually wake and run out and get me if I left.  After 40 minutes of frustration I stood at my door and whenever he walked out I would not look at him, not touch him, just make him get back in bed, cover with blanket and walk back down the hall and stand at my door. repeat about 100 times.  Finally falls asleep at 3:15am. 

Am I doing this right?  Should I keep up with the no interaction, no talking?  Will that work tonight?  I am LOSING it.   tia.

Report Reply to Post

Re: I need sleep advice re: sleep separation anxiety. Please?

  • CarolinaKatieCarolinaKatie member

    OMG, that sounds like Hell. I'm so sorry. This is what I'm so scared of. We just transitioned last night. DS did fine, but i'm just wondering how long that will last.

    My sister had this problem with her little boy. She did the "super nanny" tactic of just walking him back to bed every time he got out without saying anything to him other than "stay in bed." She had a few days like yours, then her son realized there was nothing he could do other than stay in bed.

    Are you using a bed rail to make it harder for him to get out of bed? what about shutting the door. We've always shut the door to his nursery to keep the cat out, so he's used to that. I actually put a child doorknob thingie over the inside of the door to make it harder for hiim to open.

    What about a book about going to a big boy bed? I saw one at the library a few weeks ago I want to go back and get. It's a kids book about a little boy going to a big boy bed. Don't know what it was called. There is also "Llama llama red pajamas" about a little llama boy who screams for him mama at bedtime too much.

    Other than that, I don't know. Sounds like you are doing everything right. Good luck!

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • ShuTreeShuTree

    Thanks for empathizing . I found the book you are talking about: https://search.barnesandnoble.com/My-Big-Boy-Bed/Eve-Bunting/e/9780618177424/?itm=1&USRI=my+big+boy+bed

     I am going to get it over lunch.  Thanks!

     

    imageCarolinaKatie:

    OMG, that sounds like Hell. I'm so sorry. This is what I'm so scared of. We just transitioned last night. DS did fine, but i'm just wondering how long that will last.

    My sister had this problem with her little boy. She did the "super nanny" tactic of just walking him back to bed every time he got out without saying anything to him other than "stay in bed." She had a few days like yours, then her son realized there was nothing he could do other than stay in bed.

    Are you using a bed rail to make it harder for him to get out of bed? what about shutting the door. We've always shut the door to his nursery to keep the cat out, so he's used to that. I actually put a child doorknob thingie over the inside of the door to make it harder for hiim to open.

    What about a book about going to a big boy bed? I saw one at the library a few weeks ago I want to go back and get. It's a kids book about a little boy going to a big boy bed. Don't know what it was called. There is also "Llama llama red pajamas" about a little llama boy who screams for him mama at bedtime too much.

    Other than that, I don't know. Sounds like you are doing everything right. Good luck!

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"