21 mo old fighting sleep/cot

[ninipops]

So DS has always been a good sleeper, went down into his cot and slept without protest just cuddled up with his teddy and off he went. But in the last few weeks he seems to have totally flipped. He will go through his normal bedtime routine even to going into his cot but then he freaks out screaming & shouting for whoever has put him down. Just now I asked him if he wanted to go for a sleep (usually has a nap around 10) he grabbed his teddy and his cup took himself off up the stairs and into his room let me put his sleeping bag had a quick story turned off the light but as soon as he touched the bottom of the cot he started crying and screaming. I've just heard his sippy cup hit the floor!

He is normally such a laid back go with the flow sort of boy - this is totally new and not sure what to do about it.

Any advice appreciated!

[janethommo]

We've had EXACTLY the same thing (DD is 22 months) - she got hysterical at bed time yet was happy smiley etc as she went down with bunny. She was worse with my hubbie as she wouldn't even sit for a cuddle and wanted to be put down then screamed for me!

We both tried settling her but then got tought - we'll go up once or twice in case bunny on floor/dirty nappy/wind but then we let her cry. This worked very quickly and we found she only wimpered for 5mins or so.

Moral of the story - attention seeking I think!

She has been better with this since... just got to find a solution to the 5:15am starts now, but could all be linked maybe!

I've heard others say that around 2 yrs sleep goes mad - and yes that seems to be true!

No idea when its meant to settle down though!

Jane

[omama]

nini - does he just have 1 nap per day but always in the morning? When does he wake & go to bed? Is the freaking out happening more at nap time or bedtime or both?

Tbh i'd say the nap issue is because he's not tired enough. He's actually napping pretty early for his age - at same age my ds was napping 12.30-1pm.

The only time we've ever had freaking out at sleep times is if our ds isn't tired, & its always sorted by pushing nap time later. I think this would be a good thing for you to try - perhaps try 30mins later initially, wait 3-5 days to see if it helps, if not push the nap 15mins every few days until you find a new naptime that suits him. Hth.x

[PoppyWearer]

My DS is 20mo and we're having some bedtime tantrums. We have already ditched the cot though.

I was wondering if there is some separation anxiety in it, as he is exhibiting signs of that during the day now and also we're getting some temper tantrums over toys and the like.

He's DC2 and I honestly can't remember what DC1 was like at this age, it's a blur!

[ninipops]

Hi omama sorry for the absence - 3DCs 3 and under severely hamper my internet time!

DS is up at 6 and bedtime is around 7. He is generally ready for a nap round 10 or 10:30 and is pretty good at saying yes or no when you ask him. Freak out has been around bedtime too and I think I have figure out what the problem was. DH has been putting him to bed recently and has gotten into the habit of falling asleep while cuddling DS on the chair in his room after stories. So they both have a little snooze together - very cute but I could kill him!!!!!

Have had to be a bit brutal though as have had to do bedtime on my own a couple of nights running and have to keep naptime attn short as DC3 is only 3 mos and invariably wakes looking for a feed as I put DS down. Why do they never sleep at the same time???

Anyway that seems to be sorting the problem although will look at delaying his nap and see if that helps.

Thanks all.