2 Year Old Still Not Sleeping Through the Night....

Updated on July 09, 2008
K.C. asks from Richardson, TX
9 answers

I really don't know what to do..I have tried everything I can think of...and my 2 year old still doesn't sleep through the night..Tried letting her cry..tried routine...tried shorter naps...tried longer naps...tried sitting next to her bed while she falls asleep...tried nighttime snack..tried no night time snack...tried reading...tried music...tried insence...took to doctor...took to dentist..Help!!

Routine is same every night...for last year...bath, books, bedtime...everything else has just been tried as well...She gets up at night--I take and put her back in bed..this happens sometimes for an hour...sometimes longer...

What can I do next?

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C.G.

answers from Jacksonville on

I just answered the last one about a toddler not sleeping and her topic line read
Trouble Getting Toddler to Sleep - Elyse T maybe it could help you too.

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J.H.

answers from Dallas on

Have you thought about putting something in her room that makes a white noise? Maybe she hears something. Or maybe she doesnt hear anything.
Good luck

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M.H.

answers from Dallas on

I don't have any advice, but i just wanted to let you know that you are not alone.

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M.

answers from Dallas on

It sounds like you have tried a lot of things! My main question would be, how long did you attempt each idea? I think you will need to pick one thing and do it consistenly for it to work. A routine is always helpful, but remember you have to be consistent for it to work. Ours is...bath, book, rocking, patting back..leave the room. Every night is the same. At this stage of the game, your DD will cry for awhile at first. I would let her cry for 5-10 min, go in pat her back (no talking), let her cry 5-10 min, go in pat her back, and keep repeating. My assumption is that it will still take up to two weeks of doing this consistently for her to sleep, it will be h*** o* you, but it should work.
Good luck, I know how hard this is.

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

i was thinking the same thing, it sounds like you've tried everything except consistancy. pick an approach and stick to it. form a routine, do it every night, put her to bed, let her cry, she'll go to sleep eventually. repeat EVERY night.

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S.L.

answers from Dallas on

I'm so in the same boat as you. My Daughter is just annoying in that way. I've tried it all. My son is just as bad. He is 3 and is so afraid of the dark that we have him sleeping in our room in his own bed. My daughter and son have to be cuddled and I really can't stand it some nights. I didn't want you to think that you are alone in this issue. I've tried almost everything, and still I don't know how to make it better.

Good Luck.

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J.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi K.,

I have a 2yo DD who did the same exact thing. She didn't sleep through even as an infant. She has become better in going to bed, but it's definitely getting better. My little one thinks of everything under the moon she wants at night. I do it the first few times when she asks, but afterwards everything ceases. I don't talk to her or give in to her requests especially if they have been fulfilled. I know she doesn't want those items she asking for, but she just wants to see Mommy for one last time and that's the same thing your little one is going through. You may notice nap time is Ok, but she knows I will see Mommy when I get up soon, but the night time is much longer. They are still developing and we have to keep that in mind.

The main thing is to be consistent. Make sure you have the same routine almost every night b/c I do know our schedules may get altered. Also it may help to talk about bed time as you all are getting ready for bed(during bath time and putting on jammies). It helped my DD..she even talks about it now. I never thought I would make it this far with her and I know I still have more ground to cover. Make sure her room is not over stimulating and try not to read over stimulating stories before bedtime. There are nights my little one goes to bed w/o a word. I put her bed with her (doll) and she's sleep within 10 mins. Sometimes its longer, I just make sure I don't go in and disturb her and I keep the noise level down. Oh, I also tell her that I will be back in to check on her and I think that helps a little bit. I will go back in every five mins or so and then I start to stretch the time out. THIS ONE REALLY WORKED. She's sometimes sleep before I get back. It will take time, just don't give up.

If you would like to talk more, just let me know.

Good Luck...it will happen.

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C.S.

answers from Dallas on

It's exhausting isn't it. Some kids need more 'mommy' than you have available.
I had same situation with my first (16)and still to this day she has trouble getting to sleep at night.
Try using "Toddler Wise". I did not do this with my daughter but wizened up with my son(5) and he goes to bed like a champ - no pulling on my neck, no begging, no getting up after unlimited exercises to keep them in bed.
If the doc says it is not medical then it is her attempt to control her environment-you- and her needing the security-unable to do this on her own. "Toddler Wise" teaches them to do this and also teaches them to trust you and feel safe in the night.
I feel for you-I spent several years in a state of exhaustion and wonder how I ever survived. This too shall pass. She is lucky to have a mom that loves her so much that she keeps trying everything!:)
You can do it!

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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

As a child, and even now, I don't sleep all night. I wake up, sometimes I get up, sometimes I look at the clock and go back to sleep. My mom taught me to stay in my room when I was little. I could get up, play with toys, drink water, go back to sleep, but I had to stay in my room.

To be honest, they tied the doorknob to the bannister to keep me in there in order to teach me to stay in my room. They only had to tie it shut for 2 nights. After that, I would stay in my room. I was about 2 1/2. That is probably not very acceptable to do anymore, and it could be very dangerous in case of fire. If the rest of the house is safe for her to roam, you could try locking your own door. She might give up trying to get in and go back to bed.

I don't think there is anything that can be or needs to be done to make me sleep 7 straight hours. It's just the way I'm wired. Maybe she's the same way.

A.
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