For the last two months my two year old gets hysterical and wont let go of me when i try and put him to bed, he sobs and gets very upset.

It started at bedtime. I take him to bed at 7.30 after his routine but as soon as I lower him into his cot he starts, when I used to put him down for his afternoon nap there was no problem at all and he was very happy to let me leave him. Now he does it at nap time, bed time and if he wakes in the night, so it's my husband who puts him to bed at night.

At the weekends my husband puts him down for his nap, and he has to go to him at night.

I haven't changed the way I put him to bed, I try and do everything my husband does but its not working. our routine hasn't changed.

I'm a stay at home mum, so I don't leave him except with my mum occasionally, he doesn't go to nursery yet, just toddler groups. what do you think the problem is?


A Your son may be experiencing dreams/nightmares for the first time, they usually begin after the age of 2 years old, so he may require more comfort at bed time.

The main thing is that your son’s routine has not changed so you need to maintain the stability and security you are giving to him and keep reassuring him.

You could think about moving your son into a bed, I realize he is only just 2 years old but some children respond well to a bed and settle better.

health visitor