Why won’t my 2 year old sleep?

[Mummysharkdoodoodoo]

I’m at breaking point! Before toddler was taking hours to get to sleep in the evening. Now she goes bed at 6.30 and is asleep within 10 mins but I have to stroke her back. I’m fine with that as I get my evenings back! BUT! she is waking up between 3-4am and ready for the day!! Iv tried getting her back to sleep, she’s not having it. It’s been happening for around 2 weeks now. She used to nap for 3 hoursish 11-2.30 ish, now she’s havinf a nap any time between 9-11 and only for 45 mins!!

I’m absolutely shattered. She turned 2 last month. Is this normal?!

Can you put her to bed later? Seems pretty early to me. Love your name

Also agree that 630 is too early. Can you try 730 and see what happens? That extra hour might get you to 6am which is more acceptable.

Drop the nap, physically tire her out but keep bedtime around 6.30.

My 2 year old sleeps 6pm until 6.30am every night but needs to be physically tired

She’s absolutely shattered by 6.30, I do think I need to tire her out more though! I will try 7.30 tonight. It’s nice to be able to have dinner etc some evenings without her up 😂 X

I actually wonder if she's over-tired. Early rising is a 'classic' for being over-tired. She's young to drop her nap I think, you can check table of sleep times online. I'd keep her up in the morning, bung food at her instead! Get some daylight, garden maybe if there's a risk of a buggy nap! Then put her down for a proper nap after an early lunch, maybe 12:30 for 1.5hrs. Bedtime aytime from 6:30-7:30. And work on her falling asleep alone, so she can properly self settle. Maybe do gradual retreat, depending on your ethos, start with stroking her back, then reduce it to a hand on her back, then sat next to her, then doing a disappearing chair, over a couple of weeks. Just what I think 😉

I shall give it ago!! Thank you xx

Op how you getting on?

Rubbish! Iv changed her nap until 12.30, still only 45min nap, going Down at 7.30. She woke at 11.30 last night and messed around and felll asleep on my bedroom floor at 2.30! Put her back to bed and she was up at 5. I’m absolutely exhausted this week and husband is on nights so can’t help! :(

Oh dear sorry to hear this! It's so hard being knackered. Why was she out of bed ?! I think you might have to be firm about night being night, best to tackle nights first naps second, apparently.