2 year old fighting bedtime

[PurplePetalPip]

I've always struggled with my 2 year old DS's sleep. He turned 2 in August. We are finally at a stage where he has been sleeping through for several months however he does get up ridiculously early - think 4:30/5 and no matter what I do I cannot extend this.

Previously he used to go to bed beautifully, but over the last week or so he has really started fighting bedtime to the point where when I try and put him in his cot he is screaming and fighting it. I'm not able to calm him down - he just wants to keep playing, but I know he is tired.

Bedtime is usually 19:30, although we have tried 20:00 as well. We can't really make it much earlier due to getting home from nursery at 17:20.

He has a nap usually about 12 for 1.5 hours. Although sometimes if we are in the car he falls asleep earlier eg 10.

Because of the early waking he is tired and so needs that 1.5 hour nap.

I'm desperate for any advice anyone can offer! Could he be scared of the dark at this age? Why has he suddenly started fighting bedtime? How can I handle this when he can't tell me what's wrong? Does his schedule sound ok?

If it's relevant, he has had some changes recently. I've gone back full time at work so he is in nursery 4 days and grandparents 1 day. He has also moved up to the toddler room after his birthday. And finally, I stopped breastfeeding 3 weeks ago. So perhaps there is an element of separation anxiety.

Sorry for the long post.... any advice will be gratefully received!

Cut nap to 30-40 minutes. That's the obvious andwer

@sunflowerandivy thank you. Is that a normal nap time for this age range do you know? I feel like he needs a lot longer because he's so tired but I guess after a while if he starts sleeping longer at night that will stop.

The nap time is fine. He obviously needs it. X

2 year old can still nap between 1.5 to 3 hours x

I feel like it's a good nap length to get him through the day @Cowlover89 . I'm just not sure what I'm doing wrong! Early wakes and bedtime struggles are so hard right now.

I would never cap my sons naps. His varies between 1.5 to 3 hours. He's 17 months tho but even at 2 it's normal. Sleep is good for them and my son gets very stroppy if I wake him up lol. Could just be going through a phase. You're not doing anything wrong. He's going through big adjustments. He'll settle down. It'll be big for him not breastfeeding anymore x

This sounds familiar to my little boy when he turned 2. He settled back to normal after a week or so, so I put it down to a developmental phase. Hopefully just a phase for you too!

Thanks @CRG01 that's good to hear. I'm hoping if we continue what we are doing and keep our routine this will pass.

Mine stopped napping at 2. Nothing we could do could convince her. She's always been an early bird and regularly would wake at 5am until she was about 18 months when it was about 6am. She now does usually sleep a tiny bit later but by 7pm she's exhausted and very cranky in the late afternoon. We tried everything for several months but now have accepted it.

yes of course he could be scared of the dark, is he sleeping in a dark room? Try a night light, and/or music

Absolutely disagree that he needs 1.52-2 hours at age 2. Some kids need this but your son is showing signs that he does not need it and some children do drop this nap age 2 so you have to read his signs rather than doing what others do for their babies. My first went to 45 minutes age two then dropped it at 2.5 years for fighting bedtime and early rising reasons