Sudden bedtime battles

sep08 · May 2014

I am hoping some of you may have experience or advice to give regarding my son's new bedtime issues. He's 2.5 and up until a month ago, had no sleeping issues. Now all of a sudden he refuses to go to sleep. He is perfectly happy, tucked in, etc. and then as soon as we leave the room he starts crying. The only way we can get him to sleep is to sit in the room with him until he falls asleep. We would like to avoid doing this but usually after about 2 hrs of battles we give in just so he can get some sleep (and so can we). Bedtime is 7:30 but now he isn't falling asleep until 9:30. He wakes up around 6:30. Nap is typically 12:30-2:30 (if he naps). I have done some googling and I have read that it is probably a separation anxiety thing but I haven't been able to find much information on how to deal with it. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

maryxc1 · May 2014

I could have written this post! DS will be two next week. We used to rock and read stories/sing then put him in his crib and leave. All of the sudden about a month ago he started screaming when we started reading stories. We finally figured out that he wanted to be in his crib for stories but then when we got ready to leave he would start screaming again and want us to lie down beside the crib until he fell asleep. We did this for about a month but decided that this couldn't go on. We did the No Cry Sleep Solution at seven months old so last night we decided we would go through that again. Last night it took 45 minutes of screaming and us checking in, nap time today was 2 minutes, and bedtime tonight was about 15. I am not sure what started it either but hopefully this will fix it.

LSU628 · May 2014

If I recall correctly, that was about the time DD's imagination kicked in and she became afraid of the shadows on her wall from the nightlight. Maybe ask what is bothering him, or if he afraid of anything. We would go in, pat DD's back and sing 2 songs. I would sit in her room for a while and gradually every night I was scoot further away from her bed. It was a long journey, but eventually I was able to move out into the hall and into the living room. As long as DD could hear my voice reassuring her I was right there she was OK. Imagination and bad dreams can really do a number on a kid's sleep. DD went through a phase where she was convinced a monster named Boom A Way (like the song) was in her room. We did monster spray (Febreeze), changed night lights, and for awhile she was sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor next to my bed. It eventually took DH telling Boom A way he couldnt' come back to our house and to leave Gracie alone before DD was satisfied. It was exhausting, but totally real and terrifying to her. GL and hope you and your LO get some rest soon.

sep08 · May 2014

Thanks for the responses! We've done the periodic checks but he gets into hysterics the second I leave the room so it is really difficult. It could be related to an imagination/bad dream thing, he is also insisting on having the door open which he never did before. Also yesterday he kept saying he wanted to sleep in another room. But if I ask him he says he is not scared of anything. Last night I knew he was exhausted so I just sat in the chair in his room until he fell asleep. Anyway we will just keep at it and hopefully things will get better soon. I'll check out the no cry sleep solution too. Thanks again!

Tink112011 · May 2014

My DS definitely prefers that I stay in his room until he is asleep. I have a comfy recliner in his room, so I sit and work on my iPad until he is asleep. It's no biggie to me, and it just hasn't been an important battle to me.

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