Toddler lies awake for hours at bedtime

[blackcherries]

Not really complaining, just wondered if this was normal! My nearly 2-year-old goes to bed around 7.30 (can be way earlier or later) but we can see on the video monitor he lies awake for at least an hour, sometimes two hours or more, before finally going to sleep!

He does put up a fuss about going to bed usually but once calm he just chills out. He's had various levels of refusing bed over the past 6 months but is pretty chilled now. Recently he's started singing to himself as well.

I know we're lucky and if we didn't have the monitor we'd just assume he'd gone straight to sleep, but I feel a bit mean leaving him all alone, although he doesn't seem to mind.

He naps during the day for 1.5-3 hours and wakes around 7.30am (can be way earlier or later) so no worries about the amount of sleep he gets.

My son does this. Just lies there and chats to himself and his toys! Seems quite happy!

My dd did this when nap time was ending. With no nap now she goes straight to sleep.

We had this problem and started restricting nap lengths as it was affecting night time sleep. Might be worth keeping a sleep diary for a week and see if you can spot trends with morning wake ups, nap lengths etc.

I'd say it's fine.

He's perhaps just processing his day in his little head

A good thing for when he gets a bit older too, if it lasts. Means he can have some quiet time before going to sleep.

If he's happy, I'd just leave it. Nothing to feel guilty about that he's happy in his own company in the safety of his bed.

You mention bedtime and wake time can vary a lot. This may be part of the reason he does this.

My 4yo does this and my eldest used to do it when younger. I leave her to it. It'seems good for her to self regulate and she's not tired in the morning. It's nice to have some alone time.

When my eldest did it he was younger - like your's. At that time I read that it was good for speech development to leave them to chat or sing to themselves (if they are happy).

Thanks for replies everyone. He's learning new words every day so probably good to have some processing time! He's generally quite a good sleeper. Never thought I'd be saying that 18 months ago having suffered with the colic...