22 month old resisting bedtime

[skipinmyskip]

Up until now, my 22 month old DD has, mostly, been good at going to sleep at night. Bath, pjs, bottle and into bed. She sometimes chattered away for a wee while before she fell asleep.

However, for the past week she has been resisting bedtime. Once she has her milk and we put her into bed she shouts and screams if we leave the room (was never a problem before). If I sit with her, she fannys about, jumping around, talking to me etc. I do all the usual stuff, no eye contact, lie her back down etc etc. I have tried walking away, but she just screams till she is sick (5 mins max!). She knows sleep time is coming and does not resist going into pjs and sleeping bag and milk, it just the going into bed and being left.

It is sometimes taking up to 2 hours for her to fall asleep. It makes no difference whether she has napped or not. She is tired, but for some reason can't switch off and won't be left alone to fall asleep.

I don't know what has changed. Anyone got any ideas how to tackle this?

Thanks

How long do you take over the whole bath/pjs/milk routine? Apparently if it goes on much past 30 mins they can get a second wind.

about 30 mins. Has always been that way. I just don't see what has changed, but I suppose maybe she has changed for what ever reason!

DS2 is 23 months and can be like this. I sit outside his room as it's a form of comfort for him to see me (but I make no eye contact and do not talk to him at all). He is asleep within minutes. If I was to walk away downstairs however, he'd howl and cry for quite a while. Taking 10-15 mins out of my evening to sit outside his room is worth it if I know he'll definitely fall asleep quickly.

How long are her day time naps? What time are they!! My ds who is 20 months old has been a bit of a nightmare the last few weeks but he is loving his naps so that it has been going in a vicious cycle so the last few days have been reducing his nap and it seems to be working a bit!! Don't know if that will help.

Her naps are normally 1.30 to 3.30, but I cut it down to 3pm today, but made so difference. DH is up there with her just now. She goes down fine for her nap. She only sleeps up to 40 mins at nursery and even on those nights we are having this farce.

lovechoc Were it 10 - 15 mins I would have no problem with it. It is taking up to 2 hours!

It will get better eventually and I would also consider this - is your DD maybe having a growth spurt just now? We considered this with DS as he's been eating loads recently and growth spurts can disrupt their sleep too for a bit , just a thought?

DS has been guilty of napping later in the afternoons of late, and we are not having it easy some nights because of this. Most nights he is fine, but occasionally we do have to sit outside the room until he goes down asleep. I would persevere and not give your DD any attention after you've settled her down and checked all the usual stuff (thirsty, wet nappy etc).

lovechoc no growth spurt I am afraid, her eating is as poor as normal

DH has been up there for nearly an hour and she is still chattering away full pelt

Similar story here. I think it's a phase. Nap length makes no difference. I think it's about them asserting independence. Therefore I have not got much advice .

It is a pain in the arse isn't it bettyanddon? We were so used to having our nights to ourselves and now one of us is stuck up in dark room listening to DD twitter on for two hours. And then we have to creep out on our hands and knees. Joy.

Totally agree. It is taking us up to 2 hours too. Sometimes up to 10pm. Totally miss out on evenings/time with DH. DD 23 mos is in her room now practicing hand stands!

bettychrist Oh dear, that sounds bad! I hear wailing now. DD was trying to high 5 me last night when I was in with her. Where has my sleeping toddler gone?!

Sorry bettyanddon, typed your name wrong as I was thinking 'oh christ'

Can I join this thread? My previously ok sleeping 25 months old has also become a sleep refuser! Ever since we went away one weekend in may he can no longer self-settle, wakes up in the night and refuses to go to sleep in the evening. When he has no nap he is shattered in the evening and goes to sleep quickly but then wakes up early around 5ish..
Not long ago he used to wave me good bye and would happily go to sleep on his own and sleep for about 11 hours. No more.
I am afraid I have no advice OP, only that you're not alone..

Skip that did make me chuckle about the creeping out in your hands and knees!! Although my son seems to have super sensitive hearing and my floor boards are extra creaky!!

Well sunnydays after my DH enduring 1 hour and 45 mins up there tonight, DD woke when he closed her door on the way out. FFS. I have woken her before when my ankle clicked when I was leaving the room. You couldn't make this stuff up could you?

vez It is hard isn't it. We used to pop her into bed after her milk and not see her until the next morning. I think I am going to have to go back into newborn mode and have readymeals for dinner every night. Or eat my dinner at 5pm so I know I have had something and don't stagger out DD's room ravenous at 9pm.

I shouldn't have

sunnydays I really don't know whether to laugh or cry at the moment!

Skip - my ds is the exact same ( except its not a new thing for him). Often I'm ready to go straight to bed by the time he's fallen asleep. So no advice but many, many sympathies

And another 2 hours tonight. Time to get tough and let there be some crying I think! I can't help but feel she is taking the piss a bit now....

Hi,
This sounds just like my little girl. She used to go down at half 7 and we wouldn't hear anything from her til 5-6am. For the last week she has been getting really upset when we try to put her to bed and I am having to sit next to her bed and read for ages til she eventually falls asleep which is a pain but not the main problem. She has started waking up every couple of hours and will not settle unless i sit with her for ages. Because she isn't sleeping well she is a nightmare during the day and is clingy, frumpy and has constant tantrums. If anyone has any ideas I am very interested to hear them. Also happy I am not alone!!

I am starting to wonder if there is some sort of developmental leap going on that is causing it?

Well 2 nights ago my ds had motion detectors too!! He woke up crying and I went to lie next to him ( single mattress on floor ready and waiting!) but oh no he would fall asleep and as soon as I shut my eyes he would start screaming it was as if he knew the moment they were shut!! Probably was my pay back for laughing at you skip!!
I think it is true though that it is done developmental stage, ds has started talking lots more so that might be it!!

sunnyday I swear toddlers have superpowers that M15 could use!