Desperate for some help! My 18 month old has never been a great sleeper (understatement), but over the last few weeks bedtime has become a nightmare.
Here's her current routine:
Wake up 6-7
Nap 12.15-1.45
Dinner 5.15
Milk 5.45
Bath 6.15
Then books, lights out by 7, white noise machine on.
Previously I'd sit with her on the bed in her room, she'd protest a little bit but usually be asleep within half an hour, maybe 45 mins on a bad day. But lately it's taking up to 90 mins just to get her to sleep.
Things I have tried:
Later bedtime
Earlier nap
Shorter nap
Physically exhausting her
She asks to go in the cot, then she's just playing in there, then she insists I pat her soft toy to sleep. Then she asks to come onto the bed, then she asks to go back in the cot. Asks for water, spills the water on purpose, gets upset that the cot is wet. If I try and get her into position to sleep she gets hysterical. If I leave the room she gets hysterical.
It started around the first time she slept through the night a couple of weeks ago but I'm not sure if this is a red herring - she's only done so once since. I think she also has some molars coming through. I also read there's an 18 month sleep regression so it could just be that.
I do bedtime on my own at least 5 nights a week as my husband works long hours and it's exhausting. I'd be so grateful if anyone can offer any advice on some gentle changes that will help us get past this. I appreciate some people will suggest a harder line in sleep training but that's not something I think will work for my daughter based on past experience.