Help? I'm at my wits end with my 2yr old.

[onthefly]

Oh gosh
I second the pead suggestion. I think it would be a good idea to get him thoroughly checked out, particularly if you've already identified one health problem (ears).
Another thought is food - sensitivities or something? You could talk to a pead about doing some elimination diets to see if anything in his diet is affecting him.
Maybe time to call in some expert advice - and do you have anyone to help you out during the day so you can get a bit of a break?
All the best

[Visitor8]

I would be getting him thoroughly checked out too.

Big hugs to you, I can't even imagine how you are feeling, especially with a baby to look after

Can you move him back into a cot? I tried Ash in the bed the other day and he wouldn't stay in it either. He normally goes straight to sleep at nap/bed time but he was up for 2 hours playing! I gave up on the bed idea and he can stay in the cot!

I think a main problem, which I am taking from your post, IS the inconsistency. Kids know that if they can push enough and get what they want that they will. He needs to NOT be allowed up to play. Otherwise it's kinda pointless sending him to bed in the first place, since he knows if he is difficult enough that he will be allowed to play.

Hope you get something sorted soon and get some rest!

[jackrose]

The first thing that jumped into my head (after sleep school, but then you have said that sleep school isn't an option so I'll leave that out ) is food intolerances.

I have my hands on a fantastic DVD called "Fed up" by Sue Dengate and it spells out the problems some kids have with food additives and general food intolerances really well. I think she also has a website so you could look it up. I got the DVD from my local kindergarten of all places so you could try the library or your local council for references.

As with all the other suggestions you have and will get, it might be, it might not be, but I thought I would put it out there incase...

Good luck, it sounds exhausting and insanely frustrating. Right at the time when you should be able to enjoy your little boy and family :hug":

ETA: I just had a quick scan through the website so that I was sure I wasn't giving you a bum steer and found a fact sheet that details the symptom of sleep problems

The effects

• insomnia
• difficulty falling asleep
• frequent night waking
• waking up too early
• restless legs
• ‘weird’ or ‘vivid’ dreams
• nightmares
• night terrors
• sleep talking, sleep walking
• sleep apnoea

Which food chemicals?

Reactions to food chemicals are a pharmacological - or food intolerance - reaction, not an allergic reaction to the proteins in foods.

The foods and food chemicals that can be associated with sleep disturbance include:

· Artificial colours, natural colour annatto, preservatives, synthetic antioxidants, flavour enhancers and flavours (more details below)
· Naturally occurring chemicals called salicylates, amines and glutamates
· Dairy foods are less likely to be a problem than additives and salicylates although dairy foods as well as the food chemicals above may be strongly implicated with stuffy/runny nose, snoring and sleep apnoea
· Wheat or gluten are less commonly a problem. However, wholegrain wheat in products such as wholemeal bread and cereals such as Weetbix are likely to be more of a problem than refined wheat products
· Sleep disturbance can also be the unintended side effects of the additives or active ingredients in medications, dental products and supplements.
· Some people are affected by VOCs – Volatile Organic Compounds – such as perfumes, fragranced toiletries e.g. hairspray and airfreshener, pesticides, household cleaners, renovation chemicals and especially chemicals such as flame retardants in new mattresses and pillows

[misty]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am feeling much better now I have had some more sleep.

He's problems definitely seem behavioural, we have had him checked out medically JIC, but other then when he has had ear infections there is nothing else that might be causing this. We do goo through periods where he is better and then gets bad again. I think DH and myself have gotten into some very bad habits out of sheer exhaustion which isn't helping - but we are going to try to be more consistent.

Jackrose - I will definitely be looking into the food side of things, I didn't even realise that food could influence sleeping patterns.


Who would have thought that the two year old would sleep worse then the baby?

[sneakysparkle]

the first think I thought of too was food - Whether it be intolerances, or sensitivities to additives etc.
I hope you find the answers

[sleepyljm]

I agree with all the other posts. See a GP or Pead. One that takes it seriously... If all okay i would suggest the triple P program. It is run by CHN and is about positive parenting for disruptive etc. child over 2 years. Have known many ppl who recommend it.

[~me~]

Something else to look into is his ears. The food intolerance is an excellent suggestion. Perhaps even try a Naturopath???
Alot of GP's can't see glue ear and this generally occurs after recurrent ear infections. My DS2 was a wonderful sleeper until he kept getting back to back ear infections. He used to bang his head against the wall as his ears really really hurt. His ears were alsways worst in the middle of the night. After having had enough of getting scripts filled I demanded a referral to an ENT and then rang the ENT every day until he could see him straight away.
He took one look and diagnosed glue ear in both ears and two days later we were in hospital to have grommets put in.
We had peace in the house again!
Good luck Misty...you sounds at your wits end
You judgement is right, something is not right at the moment with your little man.