Throwing tantrums at bedtime

[LolaStarr]

I need some advice, I'm at my wits end. My 20 month old has always been a brilliant sleeper and gone to bed no problem at all, but over the last couple of weeks he's been TERRIBLE. He's fine when we first put him to bed for about 10 minutes, then he starts screaming his head off. I don't know what to do. I've tried ignoring him (he's not in pain or anything, definitely just being naughty) and I've tried going in and out and laying him back down but he just gets more upset. Nothing's changed with his routine. Help!

[MrsNextDoor]

Is his room dark enough? Is he getting enough excersise during the day? Also is he having nap and when and for how long?

[LolaStarr]

Hi, yes he has blackout curtains in his room, and he gets LOADS of exercise, he never stops running around! We were outside playing in the garden most of the day yesterday and he was awful last night. He usually has a nap at around 2, generally 1-1.5 hours.

[MrsNextDoor]

His nap's not excessive but I would move it. I'd put him down at 12.30 or 1.00...directly after lunch and wake him up a bit early. He might be very tired at first but that's what I did with mine. She ended up cutting them out totally before she was 2.

[TeenAndTween]

It's been quite warm here recently. Could he be too hot?

[Nevercan]

Sounds like his nap is now too long making him not tired at bedtime, I would wake him up earlier gradually during naps. Cut it down to an hour, then 45 mins, then 30 mins until it disappears

[LolaStarr]

I did that today nevercan, he only had about 45 minutes. We had a successful bedtime tonight, he started crying and I told him to shush because his penguin toy was asleep, and he snuggled it in and went to sleep! Not sure if it was that or the shorter nap that did the trick!

[LolaStarr]

Teenandtween I'm in cumbria, it's never too hot here

[purplemurple1]

We had similar and have dropped the nap but it hasn't really helped.
Letting him pick but bedtime (within a range of ti.e) has helped a little.