Low sleep needs at 18 months

[dcmum25]

Hey!

Please talk to me about your low sleep needs toddlers.

Our current 24 hour sleep need is 1hr nap with 10hr night but I think I might need to cut the nap more because we've had consistent split nights for the last 6 weeks where she's up for an hour or two chatting, laughing, trying to play etc. She currently has around 7 hours awake before bed.

If we leave her in her crib she screams and screams (because I guess she isn't tired and she's annoyed being in her crib) but we are exhausted.

She falls asleep independently for naps and start of bedtime.

I have a really stressful job and it's hard having very little evening 🥲 all my other mum friends have babies that sleep 12 hours at night plus nap and I'm struggling with the acceptance. At the moment, we're barely getting 10 across night and day.

Thanks everyone! I can definitely see the appeal of later bedtime to give us more flexibility, not having to rush home etc so will try and see the positives more.

Going through an exhausting period of work (and have been ill) so been craving the extra rest but sounds like we just need to lean into her sleep needs more.

Definitely seems like she needs the rest, she's out like a light in the car and we're often having to wake her but maybe a later routine work suit her better.

Thanks for all the tips!

It's low but normal. Mine is similar, she's just turned 2 and she has 45 mins nap, and 10-10.5 hours overnight usually 8pm-6/6.30am. Started to have the odd no-nap day and then she'll go to bed at 7pm. We switched to a normal single size floor bed at 12 months, I'd highly recommend it, my daughter loves it and her sleep improved since then. You can't do anything about it, it's a phase, in a while she'll be able to cope with no nap and then you'll get more evening, for a while at least! We always eat dinner as a family 6-6.30pm, then one of us does the clear up and one does bedtime, so at least we get a couple of hours after bedtime.

@Peonies12 thank you! I wouldn't mind the late bedtime if she did sleep through but it's very hit and miss at the moment, lots of crying and screaming for mumma. She's impossible to co sleep with because she moves all night 😂! I've heard 18 months is a sweet spot for a bit of a sleep regression so hopefully we'll get back to our regular, slightly low sleep soon!

Actually Lullaby Trust website specifically says their sleep safe advice is for babies up to 12 months.

While I agree you need to be sensible in what item you choose, an 18 -24 month old is very different to a baby.

Have you tried the extended release one?

My daughter's sleep got much better after 18 months so hang in there!

My now 4 year old only tends to have 10.5 hours at night, while there are children his age on 12 hours at night and only just stopping the lunchtime nap...

We had to stop any nap at 2 years old as DC was regularly up until 10pm and awake for the day by 7am, even with just 30mins nap.

Other things we've done to try and improve things: DC moved into toddler bed at 18 months. And then into a single bed at 3. Now he only wakes up once at night and I don't even wake some nights when he gets inbetween us.

Parenting on less sleep and less rest in general is parenting on a different level!

@CurbsideProphet thank you for your tips! I hate complaining because my little girl is the sweetest but the working and lack of sleep juggle is tough! A toddler in her nursery room sleeps at 6pm, I wouldn't know what to do with all that free time 😂

My DD is lower sleep needs, we stopped naps and she was about 2 and that helped with the nights and bedtime. She still has a much later bedtime than most of her peers.If they are otherwise fine, perhaps they just don't need as much sleep. I would say don't try and force sleep, don't spend all your evening trying to make it better. Will she occupy herself at all with toys in her cot? Not necessarily at bedtime but in the morning or in the day? Once my DD was a bit older we did start making use of telly on a morning or middle of day so we could have some quiet time. Can you and your partner trying and have some relaxation on an evening whilst she is awake, like one of you plays with her and the other has a bath? Are you alternating mornings etc? Is it warm enough in her room overnight? Its frustrating (I still find it frustrating!) but you have to find ways so you still get some rest and down time when you can't rely on doing that when they are asleep.