https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 16:42:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2514277 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 21:29:05 +0000 hummusgirl 2514277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following. This is totally our life, every single night, without fail. :-/ </p> <p>One idea I had that we haven't tried yet is getting a relaxing CD (he likes Norah Jones) for him to listen to while he falls asleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2514241 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 20:38:36 +0000 matador84 2514241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: Honestly, we wear him the eff out! That's why we can't believe he isn't completely exhausted by the end of the day. I'm afraid he's overtired almost. He was up at 630 am today, we went to church and left the house at 840, got back from church at 12. Ate lunch, went to an open house, went to a friend's bounce house and by then it was 4. Played in the yard and then ran errands. Ate outside, played some more, bath, and bed. It's 840 here and he is calm but will not go to sleep!! UGH.</p> <p>@catomd00: Nope, no screentime here. He hasn't even watched tv at all today (we don't do phones/ipads or other stuff) so I know that can't be it. Good suggestion though.</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Ha, I just saw this--I think I commented on your other thread! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2514059 Sun, 03 Apr 2016 14:40:51 +0000 LovelyPlum 2514059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does he get the chance to run around during the day? I was a very wound up child, and I know that getting outside/getting fresh air helped a lot. </p> <p>I don't have a lot of good advice, but I can totally commiserate with him. I was/sometimes still am a terrible sleeper. I have such a hard time getting my brain to go off. I've recently been diagnosed with ADHD, and my psychiatrist has explained to me that it can mess with sleep. I'm not saying that's what is going on here, but I did want to share my experience. I usually calmed when I slept with a parent, but not always. I do agree with PP suggestion of some light yoga. It helps me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2513873 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 22:39:25 +0000 catomd00 2513873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does he get screen time before bed? I would try to eliminate it 2 hours before bed. Are you willing to give up on nap? A day here and there without it might not make a difference, but if it's a permanent thing you might see a change. Maybe some yoga or breathing exercises might help to calm him? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2513872 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 22:38:29 +0000 Foodnerd81 2513872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing that works for my 2.5 yo when she just won't go to sleep is for me to go lay down with her until she is asleep, or sometimes I can leave once she is really settled in even if not totally asleep. Not ideal. </p> <p>I'm so curious about how you do bedtimes with the two of them sharing though. I might start another thread to not thread jack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2513864 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 22:03:00 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2513864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you or your partner do some deep breathing exercises with him during the day? You can google a whole bunch of them. Before and after doing them, talk to him about how they are helpful in getting him to relax and making his body and brain sleepy. After you've done them during the day for a week or so, start talking about them at bedtime and ask him to lie in bed and do them by himself, and you can remind him of the "steps" if necessary. My friend started doing this with her highly strung (not saying your son is, just talking about my friends daughter) kid and its made a huge difference - more often than not she drifts off in the 5-10 minutes it takes to run through her exercises, whereas before she was getting out of bed at least 5 times a week, usually every night. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2513843 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 21:25:57 +0000 matador84 2513843@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Champagne: ugh, bribery won't work for him! I wish it would. We have tried taking things away and giving incentives. I wish that would work though because usually token economy is a good system...</p> <p>@MrsSRS: will def try. i had no idea about the epsom salts!<br /> i usually have the white noise turned on because i am putting down/rocking DD while DH is putting down DS...shared room. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2513833 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 21:07:42 +0000 MrsSRS 2513833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Add a cup or two of unscented Epsom salts to bath! Magnesium can help dramatically with sleep. If he needs some he will absorb it from the tub, and if not, no harm! </p> <p>How about some of his favorite books on CD so he has something to focus on while he's laying down? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2513827 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 21:03:49 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2513827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend just started this with her son:</p> <p>If he stays in bed until his clock changes to yellow he gets a sticker. If he puts himself to sleep without gettingout of bed he gets 2 stickers. 10 stickers = prize. </p> <p>Good luck!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-your-toddler-wont-go-to-sleep#post-2513823 Sat, 02 Apr 2016 20:54:42 +0000 matador84 2513823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 3.5 year old has always had a really hard time winding down at night. Lately it has been extra bad and he will not just lay in bed and go to sleep. He doesn't even want to play or hang out with us, but I think he gets so restless he just gets up. We totally ignore him or tell him to go lay down in our bed, because by 9pm we are just zapped from the day!</p> <p>Any ideas on how to get him to relax and go to sleep? We have a consistent bedtime routine, bath, book, bed by 8. He and his sister share a room but that usually isn't an issue. He does take a nap at school but has done that since he was a newborn. Days he doesn't nap don't make a difference in his sleep routine.</p> <p>Looking for ideas or anything we might be missing! </p>