18 month old suddenly hates going to bed. any advice?

[mommie]

my dd used to be a great sleeper and we were v proud of our bedtime routine. no longer! she screams her head off in the cot - even when we have 'tired' her out - ie day in park. i can't bear her screaming and after a while i get her out of the cot, which i suspect is very unhelpful.does anyone have any tips? it's not like anything has changed at home or anything (ie she is an only child)

What about her naps in the day, have them or not ??

I'm watching this with great interest mommie! My 17 month dd was put to bed at 7.00pm this evening and is still awake nearly 2 hours later!!! Like you, she has always been great about going to sleep, but everything's changed over the last week.

Let's hope someone with some great advice comes along

I have always found with my DSs that when it stays lighter for longer they have trouble falling asleep. So a few years ago we bought a black-out blind, and it certainly helped.

yes, she has a 45 minute nap at lunchtime. that's all. ah..re blackout blind. we move house on friday and when i saw a blackout blind in the nursery of new house, almost bought house on spot! good point re light nights.

Black out blinds help at this time of year, definitely.

I have found with my DD, that she would occasionally go through phases of just not wanting to go to bed/be left whatever.

I have always stuck to the bedtime routine and even if she has made a fuss, carried on as normal.

That said we have always had a "rule" that we never take DD or DS out of the bedroom if they wake, for whatever reason. If necessary, we stay in the bedroom to comfort them etc.

I think you have to stick to your guns and show your dd that bedtime is bedtime and nothing has changed. If she keeps screaming, calm her down and lay her back down again. Just keep doing this until she settles. She will soon get the message.

Possibly just found out the problem! after 2.5 hours of crying/falling asleep on me/waking up as soon as I moved, dd has developed a hot red patch on her cheek and is sticking her hand in her mouth.

I think she must be getting one of her back molars - she's got all her other teeth but we are waiting for the last 4.

It's typical if she's teething - dh goes away tomorrow for 4 days so I'll be left doing the sleepless nights again. Grrrrrrr.

Could it be teething for your dd Mommie?

could be teething. i must admit, bonjela has come into its own recently.