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Original poster

20 month year old awake but not crying

30 replies

OinkyO · 21/02/2022 03:46

Hi, I feel so silly for asking this but I genuinely don't know what I'm meant to do. If my DC gets up in the night they usually cry and so we get up change nappy and give milk if needed and cuddle to sleep. Lately they have started to just be awake and chat to themselves and sit up. Then they don't go back to sleep like they used to do but start walking around and standing up. Are we meant to get them up and just let them play or whatever or do we leave them in their bed as it's night time?

OP posts:
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StruggleStreet · 21/02/2022 04:03

DD used to do this sometimes. If she was content by herself I would just leave her to it and wait for her to settle herself back to sleep, or go in and settle her if she cries out. I definitely wouldn’t get them up and play else they will get the message that it’s okay to get out of bed whenever. I think if you go into them in the night then it’s good to keep things really unexciting and unstimulating, just say ‘it’s still bedtime, time to go back to sleep’ on repeat and cuddle then or lie them back down.
You could try a gro clock to help teach the difference between day and night but they might be a bit young for it at 20 months.

Original poster
OinkyO · 21/02/2022 04:14

Thanks. It's keeping DH awake but I was thinking like you said if we keep getting them up it will just reinforce it and make it worse.

OP posts:
Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 04:38

I think it depends. If it persists I’d look at if bedtime is maybe a bit too early and try pushing it back a bit. For now I’d maybe just watch and see if they go back down by themselves. I never left mine to cry at night but if they’re happy then surely it’s a good opportunity for them to learn how to get back to sleep by themselves without any stress or crying!

Blossom987 · 21/02/2022 04:51

How often is it happening and do they eventually go back to sleep? Have a look into split nights, you might need to adjust bedtime / mornings.

CurryLover55 · 21/02/2022 05:32

20 month year old?? Just say 20 months old

autienotnaughty · 21/02/2022 05:34

My son did this we left him if he was content and he would drift back off to sleep. It's great he's so settled on his own in dark.

BuanoKubiamVej · 21/02/2022 05:39

Sounds like time for a gro-clock?

Do you leave a light on in there? Or are they chatting away in the daek. If there is a light it might be better to have it darker so that there's a visual signal that it's not time for waking yet.

Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 06:02

@CurryLover55

20 month year old?? Just say 20 months old
If you have nothing helpful or intelligent to say it’s absolutely fine to just shut up.
CurryLover55 · 21/02/2022 06:05

Kanaloa thanks for that!

Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 06:23

You’re welcome. Any addition to the thread other than a snarky and unhelpful comment picking on a typo/mistake that everyone else managed to understand quite easily?

Pyri · 21/02/2022 06:27

I’d just leave her, you don’t want her in the habit of waking up because you’re getting her up

At that age they shouldn’t really need nighttime nappy changes or milk though, can you try the thicker nighttime nappies?

CurryLover56 · 21/02/2022 06:38

Kanaloa I understood it fine. People correct stuff all the time on here. It’s just daft to put “20 month year old”.

Kanaloa · 21/02/2022 06:39

Well I think it’s just daft to come onto a thread just to be a dick with nothing to add. You’re not making yourself sound any better either.

Pyri · 21/02/2022 06:45

@CurryLover56

Kanaloa I understood it fine. People correct stuff all the time on here. It’s just daft to put “20 month year old”.
It was a typo surely? No need to point it out either way
CurryLover56 · 21/02/2022 07:02

Kanaloa you say I’m not making myself sound any better but it’s ok for you to tell me to shut up & to call me a dick? I wasn’t trying to offend the OP.

DangerQuakeRhinoSnake · 21/02/2022 07:09

I think if there are two of them, let them entertain each other. No need to get involved.

Original poster
OinkyO · 21/02/2022 08:11

It was 0346 when I posted sleep deprived do to my 1 child being up.

Chill out a out the typo. It's not a good look.

OP posts:
Original poster
OinkyO · 21/02/2022 08:12

And look another typo there. You know what? I don't care. I'm sleep deprived. I have covid. I asked for help.

OP posts:
CurryLover56 · 21/02/2022 08:19

I’m sorry OP - hope you feel better soon & get some sleep.

Original poster
OinkyO · 21/02/2022 08:37

Thanks for all the help gro clock looks a good idea and we'll look at bed times if it keeps happening

OP posts:
Original poster
OinkyO · 21/02/2022 08:38

@CurryLover56

I’m sorry OP - hope you feel better soon & get some sleep.
No worries and thanks. Sleep would be good!!
OP posts:
collieresponder88 · 21/02/2022 08:41

@CurryLover55

20 month year old?? Just say 20 months old
Bore off
collieresponder88 · 21/02/2022 08:43

I think this will be just a phase that will go away soon. I would leave them be if they are t upset or it could become a habit hard to break.

Original poster
OinkyO · 21/02/2022 08:45

@collieresponder88

I think this will be just a phase that will go away soon. I would leave them be if they are t upset or it could become a habit hard to break.
Thanks yes I think this is the route we will take. I refuse to leave a crying child but a happy one chatting away trying to eat their toes is a different matter.
OP posts:
TheOccupier · 21/02/2022 09:10

If DC is not distressed and is safe (am assuming at that age he/she is still in a cot and not trying/able to escape!) I'd leave them to it. Going back to sleep on their own is a great skill!

Why does it disturb your DH by the way? Is she still in your room or is he hearing her through a monitor?