Toddler sleeping habits?

Turn on a light then!

If he is in a crib I would leave a light on, play some soft music, and let him cry it out. It is a bad habit to go to him when he doesn't feel like sleeping. Otherwise that doesn't stop until they turn 14 and don't have bedtimes anymore.

all four of our kids have done this. you might also notice a cycle in his eating habits with growth spurts. with our kids, it was always a huge increase in appetite, accompanied by a need for an extra nap during the day and an extra hour or so of sleep at night. after they got through the growth spurt, they would almost seem to go on a hunger strike and eat very little and need a lot less sleep. both of my boys (ages 6 and 9 years old) grew out of it by about age 4. my older daughter is almost 4 and she is still in this cycle as is my 2 year old daughter. i'm waiting to see if they stop at about the same time as their brothers.

put him in his bed and let him cry... it sounds harsh but from what you are saying it also sounds like he may be hitting terrible 2s if he cries more then like 20 mins or so take him out calm him down and try again dont let his crying rule over you he needs to know that crying wont get him his way all the time and that when you say bedtime it means bedtime no exceptions

try laying down with him for a couple of nights