Toddler bedtime delay tactics requesting nappy changes & everything else- help please

[lizardqueenie]

DD was 2 in October, and her latest (the last week) tactic seems to be requesting a nappy change after nappy change at bedtime. This is only at bedtime as she is about to be put into bed, as soon as we change it, put her into bed she then calls out and cries for it to be changed again, there are no wees or poos, and this doesn't happen at any other time of the day, so i dont think its anything medical/ water infection, she actually requests that she wants a nappy with poo bear/ tigger on which is different to one she has. try to give her choice at bedtime but she always wants the opposite during this delay time.

We have on a few occasions, given in gone and changed her (or pretended to) but these seems to have fuelled the fire and now she thinks that's what she has to do/ say in order to get us back in there and clearly that was the wrong thing to do.

Previously she seems to have gone to bed/ nap happily.

Seem to be able to put up with a lot but my DH is really unwell at the moment, maybe she has picked up on this, but we need to have a plan/ some ideas for nipping this in the bud. Thanks so much for any ideas

I just repeat "all done" or "all gone" ad nauseum to my 2 year old's bed time delaying tactics.

I give him plenty of warnings about bed time too... Narrate it. E.g. Now we're going to brush teeth, then three stories then slee. I let him choose the stories so he feels he's involved.

It's hard, but if I stick to the same routine every night, it makes it easier.

Used to think we had a brilliant bedtime routine- I was the queen of routine now is all gone to shit. Consistent message is good advice though, thanks. Can't just leave her to cry but not sure what the alternative is

Stand outside the door singing quietly. That sometimes with mine. I sympathise! It can be torturous.

sit next to her bed and say nothing... when she asks what your doing, say waiting for you to go to sleep. its sleeptime.
then repeat its sleeptime until she does!

Thanks littlebit. Do you then just creep out of the room?

I'm wondering if we need to cut out her nap and/or have a later bedtime. She has always slept a lot which I why I'm a bit thrown by what's happening now. She doesn't nap during her 2 days at nursery though & seems to make it through until bedtime. If she doesn't nap tho then when will I get stuff done?!

Seriously though it breaks my heart to leave her crying.

Boring availability is my motto. be there but not 'there' if you like. she'll soon get the message that daytime is over and now its sleeep time. once she has tipped over into sleeping just get up and go out and if she fusses, say 'its time for a cup of tea.... i'll be back'

so she gets the idea that there are distinct times for each activity. I have been known to keep putting my head in and saying... 'i havent finished my tea.. wait quietly and i'll be back'

they are reassured that you will come back, even though you dont stay. &pm bedtime, for a litle one. they will wake up when they have had enough.

Thanks little bit, that's really helpful/ I do know what you mean about being there but not being there so not really looking at what they are doing etc. I fear that Dd will leap up & start again if I try to leave. So do u then pop back & sit back down or stick your head in before making an excuse to pop off again? Feel like I'm a hostage negotiator!