2 year old won’t sleep with us
6 answers /
Last post: 10/04/2023 at 8:42 pm
Does anyone else's little one refuse to sleep with them? Our son (2.5yrs) will never sleep in with us, it doesn't matter how tired he is, he will not sleep in our bed - never has!
I know this may not sound like an issue to many and a lot of people have to opposite problem but it makes life really really difficult if he wakes up in the night and won't settle again or if he is ill.
It also means that we can no longer go away anywhere as he can climb out of his travel cot now so we effectively have nowhere that he will sleep! We have lots of family away from us and can't see them now because of this.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Hi R.G.
I'm Catherine, one of the Parent Supporters here at Netmums. Thanks for reaching out.
It can be really normal for little ones to not sleep as well or be out of routine when away from home. It may be a desire to explore new surroundings or even the novelty of perhaps sharing a room with someone different. Hopefully you find his sleep goes back to normal once you get back home.
This article has some useful information about sleep challenges and it might something you would like to read: Bedtime battles solved - Netmums
Hopefully some of our lovely community will be along soon to offer their advice and support.
Take care
Catherine
In terms of him not settling again when he's ill, could you make some kind of floor bed in his room or a futon so you can sleep in there with him but he can stay in his own bed? Can you put him in a bed when you go to stay at others houses? maybe get a portable side to out against the bed bed he doesn't fall out x
Hi R.G.
I'm Catherine, one of the Parent Supporters here at Netmums. Thanks for reaching out.
It can be really normal for little ones to not sleep as well or be out of routine when away from home. It may be a desire to explore new surroundings or even the novelty of perhaps sharing a room with someone different. Hopefully you find his sleep goes back to normal once you get back home.
This article has some useful information about sleep challenges and it might something you would like to read: Bedtime battles solved - Netmums
Hopefully some of our lovely community will be along soon to offer their advice and support.
Take care
Catherine
Sorry but I just don't get your answer as it has nothing what so ever to do with her question. Not one thing or do you not read someones question properly.
Hello R.G
Thanks to Terri being very observant I have just popped on to add some extra thoughts to your thread.
Terri - Thank you for flagging this up and allowing us to spot that this reply does not match the question. Our Parent Supporters can be very busy at times, and sleep issues can certainly be topics that tie us up in knots just like the parents who come here for help. No harm done, we can fix this.
R.G, we do get many posts from tired parents who are trying to get their little ones to stay in their own beds, but you're problem is the opposite. I can see your reasons behind needing it to work so understand your issue.
Some children do just like their own space and co-sleeping is something that does not work for them. I wonder what your LO was like as a baby? Did he settle himself well from an early age?
Do you have any idea what it could be for your child? Does he get too hot if he is cuddled? Does he like to stretch out like a star fish but can't when he shares with parents? Covers on or covers off etc? Pillow hardness or different smells? What differs from his normal bed to yours that you could try to re-create? It could be just as simple as he doesn't like it.
I guess another idea instead of planning to manage his bed sharing would be to approach it from the other way. Where else could you sleep if he will settle in your bed with less company? Could you take an air bed perhaps for the grown ups to sleep on. I know this is not the ideal solution but if it meant everyone got some sleep, this would be better than none??
I am sure other parents will have other ideas too, if they have been through similar.
Best wishes (and thanks again Terri!)
Tracey HV
Hi, quite often if little ones are overtired before they fall asleep they are much more likely to have either split nights (waking for hours in the night) or difficulty self settling as they were overtired, this intern makes them more wired when they wake between sleep cycles or quite often have early starts (any time before 6 am). You could try putting little one down earlier to see if this makes a difference and check wake windows from any naps. Also that they are getting the sleep in the day that they may need. Hope this helps 😊
