22month old forcing himself awake at bedtime

[NewMum3088]

Hi All,

really hopiny someone can share some advice because i have no idea where I’m going wrong!

My 22month old DS is ferber trained and has been generally sleeping fine, naps he just falls asleep quickly no drama. Bedtimes are chaos- he forces himself to sit up or stand up in his cot, doesnt want to sleep even though hes exhausted, and its taking 90mins minimum to get him to sleep.

We’ve tried shorter naps, earlier bedtime, later bedtime, its always the same.

I dont know what the problem is, has anyone experienced the same or have any ideas?

Thanks for reading xxx

Probably ready to drop the nap.

Is he not a bit young? He really struggles even if the nap is shorter, so i feel like he does need it still. Thank you though

Did this feel helpful? He falls asleep by himself hes not crying, hes just really resisting falling asleep even though exhausted

He is still having naps at 22 months erm our twins stopped naps at a year old. Of course he isn't tired when he goes to bed bless him

Erm all kids have different needs and most children still need a nap up to the of age of 3, as the nhs says.

The issue isnt that he isnt tired, hes exhausted. He just forces himself to stay awake. I’m looking for help not condescension.

Keep the nap. Sleep begets sleep IME.
What does he do if you just leave him? Only one of mine fell asleep quickly, the others used to play ‘read’ a book or chat to themselves for a bit then fell asleep.

I’d cap the nap but you have to keep doing it for a few weeks to see a result. Sleep definitely does not beget sleep that is the biggest lie thst ‘sleep consultants’ push. Also ‘sleep training’ like Ferber doesn’t mean they’ll always fall asleep, kids change constantly. Just give him support to get to sleep, he clearly wants it.

Actually-I don’t think I understand. What happens if you just leave him to get on with it?

22 month is one year old, and it would be very young to totally stop napping during the day. Your children were a huge outlier.

Thank you, I’ve definitely noticed he’ll sleep better at night if hes napped better. I think i might have to try leaving him, im just worried how long it will go on for and turn into over-tiredness. But I’ll give it a go, not sure what else to try at this point

Thank you for replying - nap is capped, i tried shortening it but he was an overtired goblin, he really struggled with less sleep and it made no difference to the evening antics so i went back to how it was!

I have no issue supporting him to sleep but he doesnt seem to want anything other than not to sleep! He doesnt cry, when i
go in to settle he just wants to mess about and talk even though hes visibly exhausted and cant stop yawning.

I wonder if its a regression of some sort, im honestly baffled!

How long is the nap and at what time? If you really think he needs it I think you at least need to bring it forward in the day. One of my kids was still having 2.5 hour naps at 3.5 years old. The other dropped all naps at 18 months. Much to my disappointment!

Also on the days he naps well and then goes to bed well - he may just need more sleep that day. If he's slightly under the weather or had a hectic few days he could just need it and it plays into the nonsense that more day sleep means more night sleep.

Thanks yes i’ll try bringing it forward - i really do think he needs the two hour nap, currently 12-2pm, but might shift 30mins earlier.

I think im pregnant with no.2 now, very very early so im terrified (been ttc for 18months and had some losses) but im absolutely exhausted at the moment and need him to sleep in the evening so i can sleep!