Do I need to switch my routine?

[Middlesexmummy]

Hi all , looking for a bit of advice.... Dd is 22 months and has always had no problems going down and sleeping from 7-7 or 8 sometimes . However since Christmas she has been resisting parts of her routine . The routine goes like this : bath , teeth, then change into pj s and lying down in the back room whilst she drinks her milk and nods off. I then carry her half awake and settle her in the cot and go . The whole thing from start to finish took half hour -45 mins max. Now it can take anything up to 2 hours as she now wants to return downstairs to see whose there ( usually husband or no one ) lie on the sofa then be coaxed upstairs but only wants to go into the back room and not her cot .... If I don't take her then there is an all mighty tantrum. The other issue is that she has begun waking in the night and not settling , wanting to go in the back bedroom or my room to see whose there . This can last from 10 min to am hpur and half with lots of terror screaming . I've given in sometimes and taken her on the tour but last night I didn't but eventually settled her . Thing is I know that she can settle herself so not sure why she s waking . It's not teeth and there's been no change. Some people have suggested that I switch her routine to
Bath
Downstairs for quiet time
Upstairs for bottle then cot
Wanted to ask your opinions on this
Thanks in advance
Mm x

What are her naps like? DS is 21 months and we have been having issues. Cutting down his nap has helped.

Hi there , we did try to cut out her afternoon nap , only has 1 for around an hour and half but she was a mess by 5 and took longer to settle . It's like she s trying every trick under the sun not to go to bed !

My ds has been the same (also 22 months). 'do you want milk?' 'no' 'ok then its time for bed' he then asks for milk, gets given the milk and doesnt drink it.
He has been better the last week or so. We have stopped giving milk as he doesnt drink it and keep reminding him of what is going to happen. So ok its time for toys to go away now as its almost time for bed. Then gets a bath and once out tell him we are going to have some stories and then bed. Read stories and then tell him ok, time for bed now. If he tantrums he can get on with it, this is what is happening and thats that.

Sorry if that sounds strict but i think this is the age where they need clear boundaries. You set the routine and she sticks to it. Dont let her have a choice or go messing downstairs once she is up.

Have you tried cutting down the nap rather than cutting it out? You might need to do it for a week or so before things settle down.

DS has done from 1hr 45 to 1.10. Not massive but has helped.

Hi both
Thanks so
Much for your replies ... We did manage an hour for her nap as opposed to the hour and half but she still messes about . You r right I shouldn't mess around with her routine and try to stick to it as much as possible

I remember my dd going through a very similar thing, I think it is about them learning they have choices and can make there own minds up about things. We solved it by being very rigid with her routine and refused to compromise (even when she got upset) it was tough for a while but she soon realised that it was much nicer the way we were doing it x

Thanks Madamej , good to know , sometimes u feel like the only one going through it because of course all your friends have the perfect sleeper!!!