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Original poster

2.5yo standing for ages in cot - help

30 replies

alittleconfused1 · 11/09/2025 06:16

My 2.5yo has never been a great sleeper but we did some sleep training at about 20 months and it revolutionised her nighttime sleep.

However in the last week since an illness she has regressed, she won't go to sleep and will just stand in her cot - for hours. She cries initially and I will go in and check she is ok, then she will just stand with her teddy and stare or talk to herself. She doesn't lie down. She just waits. If you ask her she will say she is waiting for Mummy.

Sleep training would dictate that she isn't crying so I should just leave her, but it means she might go to bed at 7 but she won't actually sleep until maybe 8.30 or even later if I don't go in again and again and again until she lies down.

She gets up crazy early because she is going to bed far too late - 5am today, I went in, told her it was still bedtime and to go back to sleep and then she just stood there - for nearly an hour. She said she was waiting for me. No tears, no calling, just standing.

My husband says she isn't upset so I should just leave her, but I can't leave her for long as it breaks my heart. Cue huge row at 5am!

Has anyone got any tips? I don't really want to pay for sleep training again just for one issue?

Thanks so much!

OP posts:
Petrie999 · 11/09/2025 08:38

Everything you have said points to a sleep pressure issue, if she's happy and awake for significant periods even in your presence. I'd shorten the nap to 45 mins but do a later bedtime, or get rid of the nap and expect 12hrs to start with, but on days she does nap expect a much shorter night. Mine does 10hr night plus a 45min nap at 2y9m and we will shortly be ditching the nap, when this stops working. He was previously doing 11hrs plus up to 2hr nap until age 2.5

Original poster
alittleconfused1 · 11/09/2025 09:18

Nosleepforthismum · 11/09/2025 08:29

I think now would be a great time to replace the cot with a bed as she won’t still be in it at 3. My DD is also 2.5 and the benefit of the bed is that she can play in her room before she falls asleep and can come to our bed in the morning for a cuddle if it’s a hideous 5am wake up.

She sounds smart and far more agreeable than my DD so would probably love a gro clock in her room and toys to play with before getting you up if you teach her.

The standing up and waiting for you does sound quite sad tbh, I would struggle with this too. She should be able to either come and get you or to play in her room for a little bit. I really think giving her a bit more independence will be a good thing. Sleep is one of those things that isn’t linear with young kids, things change and you have to adapt as they grow.

Thank you, I wasn’t sure if she was too young for a Gro clock?

OP posts:
Original poster
alittleconfused1 · 13/09/2025 06:15

An update, I capped the nap to an hour yesterday (had to nap her because she got up at 5). She was still up and shouting at 4.40. I gave her the Yoto and she just stood again but with that on full volume so none of us could sleep, didn’t sit down once.

OP posts:
Nosleepforthismum · 13/09/2025 06:37

What time was the nap yesterday? I’d give her an hour today 10-11 and then keep her up until 6/7pm. When she starts to get up at 6am (which she will but you might have to be consistent for a few days) try and avoid letting her nap at all.

Original poster
alittleconfused1 · 13/09/2025 06:48

Nosleepforthismum · 13/09/2025 06:37

What time was the nap yesterday? I’d give her an hour today 10-11 and then keep her up until 6/7pm. When she starts to get up at 6am (which she will but you might have to be consistent for a few days) try and avoid letting her nap at all.

She was at nursery yesterday so I couldn’t do any earlier than 12.45-1.45. I wonder if she’s overtired - she looks terrible. I put her down for 7 last night but she was awake and up and down until 8. Two weeks ago I could put her down and she would sleep through, last night it took 5 visits to get her to sleep and then she was up at 10.30 for half an hour then 4.40 this morning.

the day before I did an early nap 11.15-12.15 and still had problems- but will try even earlier today 👍🏻

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