DD (2) suddenly inconsolable at bedtime

[lamandler]

I have a very high spirited (read tantrummy) 2yo DD. She has never settled by herself so we have always stayed with her while she goes to sleep. Yes rod, own backs, etc - I know!

But in the last few nights, she has become really upset going to bed, sobbing her heart out and refusing to lie down. I have no idea what's happened.

Is it s 2yo 'thing'? I have a 4yo DS but I don't remember him getting like this, in fact he really settled into sleep at 2.

She is still in a cot, which is also a cotbed and I was wondering if it was too soon to make it a big girl bed, new cool duvet, etc to try to make her happier.

Any thoughts? It's hard work!

whats her daytime routine look like? wakeup time, nap time, nap length & bedtime? IME sobbing at bedtime often happens when they aren't tired enough to sleep.

Lots of sympathy, we have just been through the same. I have no advice really but our DS started off the same way and now we have just given in and let him sleep with us for the entire night. And this after a year of decent sleep.. I think it's a mixture of needing less / no more daytime sleep combined with separation anxiety and hatred of the cot. My plan is to take off the sides of his cotbed and then do gradual withdrawal.. Anyway, I hope someone with a success story is going to come along soon!

We have a very similar situation here too!! Have been considering starting a thread about it. My DD is just 2, has never fallen asleep by herself (am sporting the same rod!!) & has recently started going mental at bedtime. Our problem is made worse by fact the fact that she only wants me & not DH. Its definitely worse when she's not tired enough so I try to give her early naps.

We are considering employing a sleep consultant but i dont want to do CC.I have tried gradual retreat but she has regressed and in any event I could never make it out of the door!

Sorry not much help at all but you are not alone and I will be watching this thread with interest!!!

It seems quite common but it doesn't make it any easier! She has started to ask 'Is it morning yet'? so it must be just a developmental realisation that night = being left alone. Poor things, it's tough being two!

We tried a sleep consultant by phone with DS (who is now 4) and her advice was (to save you the money!) sitting outside the room for 2 minutes, in for 30 seconds, quiet shushing, out for 2 minutes, etc etc (probably for hours!). Second night will be less, third night less again until you feel you can leave for 5 minutes at a time.

We tried it, I couldn't be consistent, but it definitely helped ease him into sleeping by himself. However the only thing that worked was big boy bed at about 2.5.