Sleeping

[Ems27]

My LO is 2yrs 3 months, up until now shes not really had a set bedtime routine, and weve usually took her up between 8-9 and put peppa pig on till she falls to sleep. Now iv started giving her tea at 5pm, bath at 6pm and then last half hour of In the night garden. At 7pm i give her a warm bottle of milk, and by 7.15-7.30 i take her to bed and read her a story. As she's in her own bed she can get out of it, and she starts crying, do i just leave her to cry??

Is she lying in bed crying without getting out?

Disclaimer: I only have a 16 month old DS, so I'm not speaking from experience.

I would not leave her to cry alone, but would stay in the room with her, maybe on the floor next to her bed, and try to help her settle, tell her a story if she likes it, etc. How long does it take until she falls asleep? It might be a few weeks until the bedtime routine becomes established, and I think she needs your help with that. She might not be happy with the new routine, and might protest, but I think as long as you are with her and keep calm she will get it eventually.

At least that's what I think I would do....

what tootired said, i wouldnt be leaving her to cry on her own, if she gets out of bed i would do rapid return, say sleepy time and put her back and then sit with her if need be and then do gradual withdrawl so you get closer to the door and then just outside it etc. not a quick fix but preferable imo than leaving her to cry.

mine all had a bedtime routine and when little we would lay with them, then sit with them etc until they could be left on their own, it was a gradual process and they all varied in how long it took, my 18mth old dd can be left awake in bed and will go to sleep fine on her own, tho i sometimes have to put her back to bed if she gets up. the boys all got it at various ages between 1-3yrs.