to put my 18 month old to bed at 7pm?

[SomewhereOverTheRainybow]

I don’t think I’m BU, but friends and in laws all seem to think I’m putting my 18 month old to bed way too early The constant little comments are just getting irritating now.

Is this too early for an 18 month old or just about right?

My DS was tea, play, bath, bed, story by 7 or 7.30 until he was about 7! I always thought that was normal parenting with the odd later night during holidays.

However judging from a neighbour 11pm seems ok. Let's see how that works out ...

My 7 year old still goes at 7! At 18 months mine weren't napping everyday so often were in bed before 7.

7pm for my 22mth old, she doesn't nap during the day either so if we've had a busy day she'll go up at 6 x

My kids went to bed at 6-6:30 at that age. In fact, they were still in bed at 6:30 when the started primary school!
Little kids need a lot of sleep so unless you want them sleeping in until later in the morning, then of course it's not too early. Ideally they should be going to bed about 12 hours before they wake up.

Both of mine (14 mo and 3 ish years) wake extremely early, and nothing affects this, trust me I have had 3 years to try ALL the variations in daytime/nightime sleep! However, if I had a penny for every time it was suggested that a later bedtime may help........ Aaaagh! If they dont go down early they get less sleep, simple as that. But some people seem to have a thing about it, god knows why!

Anyway, I like having an evening to myself

I am expecting my first so no world expert but I assumed once children are old enough to have a 'bedtime' rather than you just desperately hoping they'll sleep through the night and trying to get them into a routine to do that, they would go to bed around 7pm at least until they're 5 or so. I'm pretty sure all my colleagues with young children are offline from 6-730 for bedtime suggesting 730 is the latest young children normally go to bed.

I do think we can be very obsessed with bedtimes though - I remember watching a documentary about a teenage mother who loved lie-ins so put her baby to bed at about 10pm. The 'parenting expert' on the documentary was outraged, but as long as the baby is getting enough sleep overall who cares if it sleeps 7pm - 6am or 10pm - 9am?

My DD has never slept before 9pm. She’s 6 now. She physically cannot do it, regardless of what time she got up/what activities she has that day.

I didn't particularly plan on early bedtimes but my older one just wanted to go to bed early - more like 6/6:15 at 12-18 months. 7pm now that he is 4. It has its pros and cons but I honestly don't feel like it was our choice really, he basically falls asleep at that time whatever we do.

Our younger one is more flexible and could stay up later but it's convenient to have them both in bed at the same time.

I have some friends and acquaintances who are a bit snide about it, sort of implying that their kids later bedtimes make them sophisticated continentals or whatever. I don't care!

My 19 month old goes to bed at 9pm sometimes later. She wakes up between 7-8 am. Only naps 1 1/2 hours mid-day.

My 18 month old went down at 6.15. Each routine is different, do what works for you.

It’s very early for us. But if yours sleep then they obviously are ready for their bed. If they are crying awake in their rooms every night for 3 hours then it is probably too early.

Mine never have slept that early. In fact before 5 years old their bedtime was about 11pm. Once they started school tho it changed to 9.45-10.15pm till 8.15am. My 8 year old has friends who still go at 6.30pm and are shattered, then they wake at 5am. So I prefer our way round!

Both my 5 year old and 15 month old go to bed at 7pm! Your children, your choice!

My DD was 6-6:30 until she was around 3 then it was 6:30-7, she’s almost 6 now and still barely makes 7:15.

My 18month old and 4 year old still go to bed between 6-6:30 every night.

7pm is fine and normal! My 17 month old goes to bed between 8/8.30pm. That's her natural bedtime, I'd have no issues with her going to bed earlier either.

What I don't understand is how it is anyone else's business what time your child goes to bed!

Mine have gone to bed at 7 from a few months old, the are 6 and 7 years old and that is still their bedtime!

My son is always down for 7pm, if he’s not napped well or napped early then even 630. He’s 21 months. We’re all ready for his bed by 7pm and I need my evening!

my 18 month old goes to bed between 5:30 and 6:30. With a full bottle of milk and she sleeps until 6-7am!

my 6 year also goes to bed at 6pm and sleeps till 7pm! ! 😃

it's different for everyone! !

My 2yo has always went to bed at 8pm but also drags his butt out of bed at 6am. If on the odd ocassian we somehow get him into bed at 7:30 he's up at 5:30 so I'm not gonna try 7am as 5:30 is already I the middle of the night. Everyone else we know with kids his age put their kids to bed at 6:30-7 and they sleep way longer so I say you do what works for you and your family. 7 sounds like a reasonable time to me.

My 4 year old goes to bed at 7. Sometimes she is in bed by 6.30. She falls asleep straight away, sleeps all night and wakes up at 6.30/7am. She's happy and we're happy

Our DC go to bed at 6pm. They’re asleep by 6:30pm usually. Age 6 and 3. The eldest loves sleep. The youngest sleeps 12 hours

Sounds early to me but if it works for your family, all is well.

My 3 (10, 7 and 3) go to bed at 7pm.

The youngest goes to sleep pretty quickly and the others read or listen to audiobooks until they are ready to sleep.

People really need to wind their necks in

Sounds absolutely fine!

Mine go down anytime between 7 and 8 depending on naps and how they’ve slept during the day

I do think British bed times is really early, it’s too early for me I prefer 8/9