My 21 month old wont sleep...help!

[mountainboo]

I am baffled by my son's sleeping or lack of. He has always co-slept the 2nd half of every night and until a few months ago he would go straight to sleep when he came into our bed. Now however, when he comes into our bed he stays fully awake for up to an astonishing 3 HOURS pulling my hair constantly and kicking his Father, and what started as occasionally has now become most nights of the week every week. If he comes in at 2am he wont fall asleep until past 5am (only to sleep until 7am) and by 5am I am so wired I can't fall asleep, so we are getting a maximum of 3 hours a night most nights and consequently feeling more and more tired during the day which is not good for my husbands Hypothyroid. You would think that he would be tired in the day time, on the contrary he is very active and full of beans. We go out twice a day every day and do different things, mainly we go walking, so I'm not depriving him of activity. His daytime nap is also an issue as some days he just wont nap and other days he will take up to an hour to fall asleep. Whats going on...please help. I will just add that we have always had a fantastic routine and he goes to bed at 7.15pm. We have been contemplating encouraging him to sleep in his own bed through the night but how do we achieve this? TIA

[squarebear]

I saw a TV show about someone similar. They hardly slept but when they put them in their own bed, they slept like a log. Just put them to bed, then keep going back and putting them back if they get out. They will get bored before you do.

[mountainboo]

Thanks Squarebear. I think I watched that too. Girl that only slept until 2am. Once I put him back though do I stay with him or leave the room?

[TTG]

Is it too quiet in his room maybe? Sometimes they need some background noise (not loud!) or a little soft night light. You can get some lights that will play a gentle, soft, soothing tune for a little while.

http://www.amazon.co....Up-Lamb/dp/B000M5D6P4

[squarebear]

The woman on the show left the room after putting her back in each time. It took a good few goes but the child eventually stayed there and her sleep problems went away.

[mountainboo]

Thank you both. We have a tuneful star night light that projects a picture on the ceiling that he has never used at night but loves listening to during the day, it would be perfect for at night. I guess what we will need is perseverence. I know that it is normal for them to wake at night but maybe if he can sit and play with his toys and put himself back to sleep it would be a lot better.

[ct1977]

I have just ordered off Amazon "Help Children Sleep Bedtime Audiobook CD - Seashore", it got really good reviews from some other parents who were having problems with sleep.