How to Get Your Two Year Old to Stop Crying and Go to Sleep Alone
Avoid the “Cry-it-Out” technique., Make sure your toddler engages in plenty of physical activity during the day., Be careful not to provide too much physical activity, which can overstimulate your toddler., Refrain from allowing your toddler to sit...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Avoid the “Cry-it-Out” technique.
Refrain from allowing your toddler to cry it out.
Once your two year old cries to the point where he is inconsolable, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to stop crying.
Children at this age do not understand how to regulate their emotions, and if left alone to cry at night rather than being consoled, it can lead to feelings of abandonment.
For children who are high-spirited, this can also be a result of producing less serotonin than what is produced by calmer, less intense children.
Sure, your toddler may eventually stop crying and fall asleep, but it is likely to be form pure exhaustion, and not because he has learned to adjust to a bedtime routine. -
Step 2: Make sure your toddler engages in plenty of physical activity during the day.
Two year olds are a bundle of energy.
If they are not provided the opportunity to use that energy during the day, it is likely that the energy will still be there when it is time for bed.
Excess energy and an early bedtime simply do not mix.
Also, regular physical activity helps to increase serotonin levels in the body.
Take him outside to play in the fresh air if weather permits.
If he does not have a backyard to play in, take him to a local park or school playground.
Even a simple walk around the block can help him use up his energy.
Encourage your toddler to play with toys actively.
Even the simplest activity uses energy, so offer up lots of hands on activities that are age appropriate.
Coloring books, modeling dough, building blocks and finger paints are all creative activities that two year olds generally enjoy. , Energy-draining activities all day long can increase the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body.
When cortisol levels are elevated, it can interfere with bedtime and inhibit sleep.
In general, it is best to include no more than one large energy-consuming activity in a day.
For example, if you are going shopping for 3 hours at a busy mall, it’s probably best to postpone a trip to the zoo or a play date with another child for a different day. , Television viewing is not recommended for children under the age of three.
That is largely because it can interfere with the way their brains process information, and may possibly lead to the development of ADD/ADHD.
Although this theory has not been proven, it is gaining popularity among health care professionals, including pediatricians and child psychologists.
What is proven, however, is that many young children who view television experience a surge in stress hormones, which can linger all day and interfere with sleep at bedtime. , Calm your child down about an hour or so before dinner time.
Make the switch from wild, unharnessed play to calming activities such as reading a book, singing songs or engaging in imaginative play with toys.
If the television or stereo is on throughout the day, shut it off just before dinner and do not turn it back on again until after your toddler has gone to bed.
Eliminating distractions like this can help your toddler calm down.
Give your child a warm bath after dinner to help calm both his mind and his body.
Try adding some lavender soap or use a lavender-infused shampoo, which has calming properties. , This will help your two year old quickly learn what is expected of him at bedtime.
After just a week of doing the same activities before bed, most children will adjust to their new routine and come to expect it each night.
Decide on a bedtime and make sure you start your nightly routine at the same time each night. , If you only have one child, you will likely have an easier time incorporating things into a bedtime routine that if you have multiple children.
For example, with only one child, a walk around the block in the stroller is probably a simple enough task.
However, if you have other children who have their own nightly routines, not to mention homework and extracurricular activities, a nightly stroller walk may be out of the question. , Two year olds can only comprehend so much.
If their bedtime routine contains multiple steps they can become overwhelmed, which can backfire at bedtime.
A bath, a small glass of warm milk followed by teeth-brushing and a bedtime story is a simple bedtime routine that can easily be followed every night. , This can help your two year old feel secure while transitioning to going to sleep on his own.
Stay in his room and perform some simple, silent tasks while he lies in his crib or bed.
Fold laundry, balance a checkbook, go through the mail or simply read a book.
Explain to your toddler that you will remain in the room with him until he falls asleep, but that it is bedtime and not time to play or talk.
Let him know that you are there to keep him company while he tries to go to sleep.
Do this every night.
Eventually, your toddler’s sense of security will improve, and he will likely require less time to fall asleep at night. , Limit his options to keep his choices simple.
Let him decide which story he would like to read at bedtime.
Allowing him to choose one book out of two or three options will make him feel as if he is in some control.
Asking him to select one book off a shelf of 20 books, however, can be overwhelming.
Lay out two sets of pajamas on the bed and allow your toddler to choose which pair he wants to wear each night.
During bath time, ask him which songs he would like to sing. , He is likely to choose 10 minutes, but giving him the option makes him feel more in control of his bedtime, which can cut back on nightly power struggles.
Refrain from engaging in power struggles with your toddler.
Once you set a rule, it is important that you stick with that rule and follow through. , If you give in just once, you are indirectly communicating to your toddler that rules can be broken.
A two year old cannot comprehend special allowances like an older child can, so he will only learn that he can cry and bargain to get what he wants each night. , It can be frustrating dealing with crying toddlers who refuse to go to sleep at night.
It is important that you remain in control and never lose your temper.
Don’t yell or raise your voice, but do communicate your rules in a firm yet gentle tone. , Acknowledging them, in any way, shows your toddler that you his efforts to get your attention are working.
Even negative attention is attention, so it is best to avoid acknowledging tantrums altogether. -
Step 3: Be careful not to provide too much physical activity
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Step 4: which can overstimulate your toddler.
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Step 5: Refrain from allowing your toddler to sit and watch television for too long.
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Step 6: Take your toddler’s activity level down a notch during the late afternoon and early evening hours.
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Step 7: Try to stick with the same routine before bed every night.
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Step 8: Do whatever works for you
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Step 9: your child and your schedule.
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Step 10: Keep the bedtime routine simple.
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Step 11: Stay within your toddler’s sight when he is adjusting to his new bedtime routine.
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Step 12: Let your toddler make decisions each night as part of his bedtime routine.
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Step 13: Give your child other
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Step 14: limited options for going to bed
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Step 15: such as “Do you want to go to bed now or in 10 minutes?”.
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Step 16: Avoid giving in to your toddler’s cries and pleads to postpone bedtime.
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Step 17: Remain calm at all times.
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Step 18: Ignore temper tantrums and crying fits.
Detailed Guide
Refrain from allowing your toddler to cry it out.
Once your two year old cries to the point where he is inconsolable, it becomes increasingly difficult for him to stop crying.
Children at this age do not understand how to regulate their emotions, and if left alone to cry at night rather than being consoled, it can lead to feelings of abandonment.
For children who are high-spirited, this can also be a result of producing less serotonin than what is produced by calmer, less intense children.
Sure, your toddler may eventually stop crying and fall asleep, but it is likely to be form pure exhaustion, and not because he has learned to adjust to a bedtime routine.
Two year olds are a bundle of energy.
If they are not provided the opportunity to use that energy during the day, it is likely that the energy will still be there when it is time for bed.
Excess energy and an early bedtime simply do not mix.
Also, regular physical activity helps to increase serotonin levels in the body.
Take him outside to play in the fresh air if weather permits.
If he does not have a backyard to play in, take him to a local park or school playground.
Even a simple walk around the block can help him use up his energy.
Encourage your toddler to play with toys actively.
Even the simplest activity uses energy, so offer up lots of hands on activities that are age appropriate.
Coloring books, modeling dough, building blocks and finger paints are all creative activities that two year olds generally enjoy. , Energy-draining activities all day long can increase the amount of cortisol, a stress hormone, in the body.
When cortisol levels are elevated, it can interfere with bedtime and inhibit sleep.
In general, it is best to include no more than one large energy-consuming activity in a day.
For example, if you are going shopping for 3 hours at a busy mall, it’s probably best to postpone a trip to the zoo or a play date with another child for a different day. , Television viewing is not recommended for children under the age of three.
That is largely because it can interfere with the way their brains process information, and may possibly lead to the development of ADD/ADHD.
Although this theory has not been proven, it is gaining popularity among health care professionals, including pediatricians and child psychologists.
What is proven, however, is that many young children who view television experience a surge in stress hormones, which can linger all day and interfere with sleep at bedtime. , Calm your child down about an hour or so before dinner time.
Make the switch from wild, unharnessed play to calming activities such as reading a book, singing songs or engaging in imaginative play with toys.
If the television or stereo is on throughout the day, shut it off just before dinner and do not turn it back on again until after your toddler has gone to bed.
Eliminating distractions like this can help your toddler calm down.
Give your child a warm bath after dinner to help calm both his mind and his body.
Try adding some lavender soap or use a lavender-infused shampoo, which has calming properties. , This will help your two year old quickly learn what is expected of him at bedtime.
After just a week of doing the same activities before bed, most children will adjust to their new routine and come to expect it each night.
Decide on a bedtime and make sure you start your nightly routine at the same time each night. , If you only have one child, you will likely have an easier time incorporating things into a bedtime routine that if you have multiple children.
For example, with only one child, a walk around the block in the stroller is probably a simple enough task.
However, if you have other children who have their own nightly routines, not to mention homework and extracurricular activities, a nightly stroller walk may be out of the question. , Two year olds can only comprehend so much.
If their bedtime routine contains multiple steps they can become overwhelmed, which can backfire at bedtime.
A bath, a small glass of warm milk followed by teeth-brushing and a bedtime story is a simple bedtime routine that can easily be followed every night. , This can help your two year old feel secure while transitioning to going to sleep on his own.
Stay in his room and perform some simple, silent tasks while he lies in his crib or bed.
Fold laundry, balance a checkbook, go through the mail or simply read a book.
Explain to your toddler that you will remain in the room with him until he falls asleep, but that it is bedtime and not time to play or talk.
Let him know that you are there to keep him company while he tries to go to sleep.
Do this every night.
Eventually, your toddler’s sense of security will improve, and he will likely require less time to fall asleep at night. , Limit his options to keep his choices simple.
Let him decide which story he would like to read at bedtime.
Allowing him to choose one book out of two or three options will make him feel as if he is in some control.
Asking him to select one book off a shelf of 20 books, however, can be overwhelming.
Lay out two sets of pajamas on the bed and allow your toddler to choose which pair he wants to wear each night.
During bath time, ask him which songs he would like to sing. , He is likely to choose 10 minutes, but giving him the option makes him feel more in control of his bedtime, which can cut back on nightly power struggles.
Refrain from engaging in power struggles with your toddler.
Once you set a rule, it is important that you stick with that rule and follow through. , If you give in just once, you are indirectly communicating to your toddler that rules can be broken.
A two year old cannot comprehend special allowances like an older child can, so he will only learn that he can cry and bargain to get what he wants each night. , It can be frustrating dealing with crying toddlers who refuse to go to sleep at night.
It is important that you remain in control and never lose your temper.
Don’t yell or raise your voice, but do communicate your rules in a firm yet gentle tone. , Acknowledging them, in any way, shows your toddler that you his efforts to get your attention are working.
Even negative attention is attention, so it is best to avoid acknowledging tantrums altogether.
About the Author
Christine Baker
Christine Baker has dedicated 11 years to mastering lifestyle and practical guides. As a content creator, Christine focuses on providing actionable tips and step-by-step guides.
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