22 Month Old Not Sleeping - HELP

[AnnieBeansMum]

My 22 month DD has always been an absolutely wonderful sleeper. From the time she was 5 weeks old she slept from 7pm - 7am (with me creeping in at 11pm for a dream feed). At 22 months, she usually sleeps from 7.30pm - 6.30am and then naps from 12:30pm - 3:30pm. At bedtime, she would have her bottle and a story and then in bed. She was happy to drift off to sleep on her own. She has always loved her sleep! Not anymore.

About a week ago she started really resisting bedtime. I now have to go upstairs repeatedly to put her back in bed. She still goes to bed at 7.30pm, but it's usually 9.30 or 10.00 before she finally falls asleep. And then she is up constantly throughout the night. Her afternoon nap is still fine though.

In the past week, I have probably had around 15 or 16 hours sleep and I'm beginning to fall apart at the seams. I desperately need some advice. I am worn out and exhausted and desperate for her to have one night where she stays in bed.

Any suggestions?

anyone?

a 3 hour afternoon nap is quite long; have you considered making it shorter? I have cared for about 12 different 22 month olds over the last few years and none of them slept past 3 due to a knock on effect on their evening sleep.

Also what do you mean by "put her back in bed"? Could it be that she is liking the extra "attention" and thinks it's a bit of fun or does she seem upset?

I never considered that the problem may be the length of her afternoon nap! How long of a nap is reasonable for her age?

By "put her back in bed" I mean just that. She'll get out of bed and come to the top of the stairs, once she sees me she turn round and jumps back into bed. She isn't upset but I can't imgaine how she could think it was a game as I am very obviously not amused by it. I'll cut her nap down today and see how it goes tonight.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Nap lenghts bviously can vary and it does depend on the child and what activities you get up to during the day etc. I would say go to 2 hours and go from there.

You could also try a bed rail or even a stair get to keep her in her bed/room?

It's hard to say without seeing your daughter but if she isn't cerying/distressed then it sounds like she either just isn't tired or is liking this extra "attention". One thing that worked for a little girl I looked after once was this little clock. You can get other ones too. Basically we just had to say "buny asleep then DC asleep" and after a few ights she "goot it". But again this may not work as does depend on the child.

Thanks for the link. I love the idea of the clocks, but I'm not sure my DD would get it. I love her dearly, but she is a little slow marches to her own drum! It's definitely worth a try. I'll have a look through the list again with DH tonight and see what he thinks. Thanks again. [praying for sleep emoticon]

My DS is 20 months and only sleeps 1 1/4 to 2 hours max. I've never let him sleep 3 hours. I also won't let him sleep past 2.30/45 as it affects him going down for the evening.

DD used to only sleep for 2 hours in the afternoon too..

Anniebeansmum, I think your daughter may surprise you with the clock. MY nephew was the same and we never thought he would get it but after 2 weeks he did. It doesn't work for him in the morning time though!! But he doe sunderstand that if the bunny is asleep he needs to be asleep.

You could always try and ifnd a used one on ebay and then if it doesn't work it wont be such a waste? Or even freecycle?