is this toddler normal?

[tangofandango1]

my 16 month old - she has always been very alert, as a newborn she was asleep more than she was awake etc. i am so knackered by her at this point and don’t know if her lack of sleep is normal? she does not stop from the minute she wakes up to the minute she goes to sleep. i can’t remember the last time she just sat still for a few minutes, she’s just always running around, pulling things out of drawers, jumping all over the bed, etc etc. she does have a nap but it’s rarely a long nap, and she often doesn’t sleep until midnight. she wakes through the night a lot still too.

is this normal or is there anything i can do? everyone told me she’d sleep better once she was walking but she is full of energy. it is draining me so much

Mine is slightly older but exactly the same!!! It's draining but I just try to enjoy it as it will be over soon 😂

How much sleep is she getting in an average 24 hours?

My first was like this but did eventually sleep at night. Never stayed up as late as yours. So to me getting such little day sleep is not normal. But being full of beans and never sitting still in the day is pretty normal.

*such little night sleep !!

My daughter is like this. 20 months now and there was a time we averaged 4 hours of sleep in 24 hours. This has improved to 6. Since birth she hardly naps. And I work multiple contracts. Am beyond exhausted. I ache and am falling apart. We finally got a referral when she was 6/8 months and appointment came through last week. They gave her piriton. Hasn't made a difference first 2 days but we will persist. Am so sorry op. Its hard

Mines the same.

He has only the last few months started sleeping mostly through the night. He’s 2. By through the night, I mean he eventually falls asleep at 9.30/10pm, and will be up bouncing around full of beans at 6.30am. Occasionally a short nap in pram.

I think from 2-18 months he woke on average every hour all night, and naps awful. The only thing that worked with him is time.

Oh yes! My son is an energiser bunny! If he made it to 6am when a kid it was a good day.
He is 18 now. And to give you an example of his normal day: yesterday up at 7, full day at work, quick gym session, off to set up a gig for his boss, danced til 11pm then bus then 1.5 mile bike ride home. Today: up at 6, gym session, work, bus/bike home to change then two hours footie practise.
Some kids just have loads of energy!

DS is the same, he didn't and doesn't sleep much. He is very bright (apparently lack of sleep is a symptom) so now he's 2.5 as well as not sleeping he also asks questions constantly! Also, apparently it is not acceptable that I don't know how tall a stegosaurus is at 2.30am!

I have this exact toddler! She is 16 months in a couple of weeks and since the day she was born, all I have heard is how alert she is. She’s always had way less sleep than what is recommended for her age, I’ve tried everything except leaving her to cry. She wakes up in the night a few times too. Doesn’t matter what I try it’s like she can’t switch off at all! When she’s awake she doesn’t sit still for a minute and needs constant interaction. I am also shattered! I have always noticed babies and now toddlers of similar ages just sitting happily in their prams or playing on their own. Whereas mine wants to be running around and into everything from a young age!

my niece is like this but very bright. Think lack of sleep and needing sleep very common for bright kids. Its exhausting dont think she has ever slept through the night since she was born
Hoping school in sept will do the trick but beginning to doubt this
In contrast my own daughter slept through the night at 12 weeks never had 1 disturbed night ever after that even when she was teething I'll etc etc
My niece has a list of excuses as long as your arm as to why she cant sleep !!

Mine was like this. Napped briefly as a baby and then never again after 13 months. Was up until 11pm most nights. She did sleep later though, preferring to wake at 9am ish.

HV always said it was the sign of a bright child. It's true. She's 15 and remarkable. Still up until midnight most nights, often later, still sleeps late but - importantly - channels it all into studying/reading/writing/art and not into asking me 165 questions before breakfast.

It’s not typical but it doesn’t mean there is anything wrong. She’s probably over tired and wired but you can’t force them to sleep just provide opportunities. Some brains shut off easier than others.

Do you have a wind-down routine at night with the same activities in the same order at roughly the same time? I think sleep researchers say that’s the most important think. Does your DC seem tired? How many hours are they typically sleeping in 24? They may be overtired. Though I definitely identify with ‘never sit still’, that summarises my two as well.

Yes. Normal for that toddler. I have one that just does her own thing during naptime.. some sleep.. some don't. Normal.

Unfortunately normal, unless your very lucky- I wasn’t! A colleague was lucky with her first, but the second was as you described. Yes it’s exhausting!

@orangetriangle my mum used to say this about my DB, that he didn’t sleep because he was exceptionally bright! it isn’t much comfort I guess when you are only getting your child to bed for a handful of hours each night.

OP what happens if you try to properly wear her out, by taking her outside to run around? I used to find my son needed a few hours running around in fresh air then he slept really well. Admittedly he is a reasonable sleeper anyway (and not super bright!) but there’s something about sunlight and fresh air that helps you wipe out. And then in the late afternoon NO crazy games or excitement as it is over stimulating.

And also no refined sugar or screens in the evening (no yoghurt or bedtime milk, just water). A long wind down with a long splashy bath, books and teddies and cuddles.

Yeah toddlers in my experience don’t stop, I’m certain they have FOMO