Anonymous wrote:I agree that 6:30 is reasonable, and that you need to stop playing into all his stalling tactics (monster spray? Really?)

Do his bedtime routine, put him in a pull-up (who is in charge, you or him? Pull-ups at night at his age are totally normal) and put him in bed. Do not engage with him after that unless it's to silently walk him back to bed.

You've given him so much leniency - now he knows he can wake up all night and you'll come running. You need to decide if you're ready to set the rules again, and when you do - stick to them.

Anonymous wrote:I have no advice just sympathy ... I don't know how you parents with bad sleepers do it. No judgement I just freaking feel bad for her. Both my kids are amazing sleepers. Have been since birth.

We did have one instance where my older one went through a sleep regression (right around 2 years old). Thankfully she was still in her crib and couldn't get out. I would go in once when she cried out initially to make sure she didn't poop herself or have a fever and then that was it. She could cry the rest of the night if she wanted to. I refused to go in again. She got over it within a week. Went right back to sleeping 12 hours at night straight.

I do think 2 year olds can be manipulative though. I know mine can. She stalls at night all the time. "mommy I need a band aid, I need this stuffed animal, that stuff animal, my slippers" etc. I usually comply to a few things then I just say thats enough I love you and goodnight. I stay firm.

I also have a younger kid who sleeps right down the hall from the older kid and she never woke up when the older one went through her screaming fits. Sound machine, fan and closed the door to both kids rooms.

Good luck! Stay firm!

Anonymous wrote:If he wants the water, he wears a pull up. After enough dry pull ups in the morning, he can wear undies again. I'd be firm on that one. Put less water in the bottle, like only 2-3 ozs. My DD (almost 3) is also big on drinking water, but I had to help her make the connection between drinking a lot of it before bed and having to pee at night.

But yes, I think you need to be prepared for some middle of the night tantrums to get over this stuff. Maybe come up with a line you can use "Jimmy, it's time to sleep" and put him back in bed. Don't say anything else to him at night. That way, he knows you are there to respond to him, but also that you won't be discussing monsters with him at 3am.

Where is your DH? Does he help? Sending him in might get a different response. He should also be helping with the evening chores so you can get to bed and sleep some while you all figure this out.

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like it boils down to him drinking water at night, no? It's causing him to wake up to pee, then he might be distracted by "monsters", or then need a re-fill of water.

It may sound odd, but have you tried brushing teeth super early on in the evening? The fluoride can dry out the mouth making you want to drink water. Maybe brushing teeth earlier to get over that dry-mouth feeling will help.
I'm guessing he's pretty hydrated throughout the day otherwise?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that 6:30 is reasonable, and that you need to stop playing into all his stalling tactics (monster spray? Really?)

Do his bedtime routine, put him in a pull-up (who is in charge, you or him? Pull-ups at night at his age are totally normal) and put him in bed. Do not engage with him after that unless it's to silently walk him back to bed.

You've given him so much leniency - now he knows he can wake up all night and you'll come running. You need to decide if you're ready to set the rules again, and when you do - stick to them.

He will not wear a pull up, I can put it on him and than he takes it right off. He knows how to take his clothes off pretty well at this point so it's not like I can just put pajama pants over the pull up. Besides, he's been in regular underwear during the day for a year. We are wayyy past the pull ups point- maybe when he was 18 months it would have worked. Id say at this point we are about 75% dry at night, we run into all problems at 3am for some reason if an accident does happen. I'll definitely get rid of the spray, I thought it was a neat idea bht I can definitely see how it's a stall tactic. He doesn't really get out of bed unless I don't come, he will just scream "mama, come here, need to pee!" or "mama, I need more water please" over and over again. Can I expect him to learn to get out of bed with his nightlight and go to the potty by himself or is that too young? How often is normal to go pee at night at that age? How much water is normal? I'm struggling in figuring out if he really needs 3 small bottles (6 oz ones) since I wake up thirsty as well at night and need a drink myself. I guess I also don't know if maybe I should wake him up right before 11pm myself and put him on the potty and maybe that might break up the cycle?

Anonymous wrote:He definitely doesn't need 18oz of water at night (3 6oz, botttles...that is insane).

I have to cut off water for my kids at 6pm for any hope of a dry night and they are much older than your DS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He definitely doesn't need 18oz of water at night (3 6oz, botttles...that is insane).

I have to cut off water for my kids at 6pm for any hope of a dry night and they are much older than your DS.

So they get no water at all at night? I don't think that would work for us, we are a pretty hydrated family. I need a tall glass by my bedside during the night. I'm going to try to cut it down to 2-3 oz and do some ice cubes in there like another poster suggested and than taper it down to one bottle before bed and than one in middle of the night in case he really is thirsty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He definitely doesn't need 18oz of water at night (3 6oz, botttles...that is insane).

I have to cut off water for my kids at 6pm for any hope of a dry night and they are much older than your DS.

So they get no water at all at night? I don't think that would work for us, we are a pretty hydrated family. I need a tall glass by my bedside during the night. I'm going to try to cut it down to 2-3 oz and do some ice cubes in there like another poster suggested and than taper it down to one bottle before bed and than one in middle of the night in case he really is thirsty.

You've had an excuse for every suggestion. No wonder your toddler is walking all over you.

Anonymous wrote:15oz of water overnight is completely insane. He's waking constantly to pee because he DOES need to pee. He's 2.5 years old. His bladder isn't that big! Plus he's still learning the urges.

My 3.5 year old has maybe 4oz water overnight. And that's including the 1-2oz he uses to swallow his supplements at night before he gets into bed.

My 3.5 year old sleeps until 9am, which works well for our family, but he also doesn't sleep until 10pm. Which means that I need to deal with him until 10pm. But that's just how it is.

You can't put a child to bed at 7pm and expect them to sleep until 9am the next morning! Even if they needed that much sleep in a 24 hour period, they also need stimulation. If you like your morning sleep, then you need to put your kid down later in the night.

And by 2 years old, my kids can reach for their own water bottles in the night. And put them back where they go. Just show him where it is and tell him you're not coming in to give him water in the night anymore. It's probably just an excuse to keep you coming in all the time. Which isn't that surprising since his room probably feels like a prison to him with the length of time you expect him to stay in there by himself.