Sleep pattern change.. How to change it back??

[BlueBumedFly]

My DD is 3.1 and up until a month ago slept 7/7 or 8/8 or 12 hours whatever time she went down. I know, dream child.

Suddenly it's 5.59 irrespective of what time she went to bed, how tired she is or anything.

Is this a massive develpomental milestone? Is her head whizzing with information ?

Also we finally got rid of the bottles a week ago so now she has a cup so less milk by about a half. Is she hungry? She has never really recognized hunger, always been a rubbish eater so does not use the word to describe how she feels. Just gets stroppy.

Or could it be the weather/temperature?

Any ideas?

I expect it is likely to be the heat at the moment. I work with 3 and 3 year olds and they are all grumpy and overtired at the moment because thay are not sleeping at night.
Most children of your daughter's age need 12 -13 hours of sleep a night and when they don't get it they are really hard to cope with.
Do you have the whole milk/bath/story/bed routine?

She used to sleep 12-13 hours

Yes to bedtime routing though a bit defferent due to bottle going and tippee cup coming.

Behaviour is really challenging, have posted on the other board about this but do you have any advise? so defiant and off in her own cloud. She used to be so chilled, do they all get loud and shrieky at this age?

Struggling to get her to do anything I need her to do clothes have always been a challenge but now it's a battleground.

I am wondering if with less milk she is just hungry?

That should say '2 and 3 year olds in my reply'
Yes, their behaviour can be challenging at times. They are testing the boundaries and coming to terms with thier own identities.
Some tips that work for me
Pick your battles. Does it really matter if you want her to wear the pink leggings but she wants the yellow ones?
Give her choices, so she has some control. But control the choices, so you have some control too.
Ignore tantrums. If she lies on the floor kicking and screamimg, leave her. Step over her if you have to. When she has calmed down, then you can talk with her about what caused it and offer her solutions.
Be consistent always. if mummy says no, she must mean no.
Try not to shout. Shouting just breeds more shouting. If you need to raise your voice do it on the first couple of words and then lower your tone.
Perfect the look. My look still has my 13 year old DD quaking in her books.
Ansd lastly, enjoy your toddler. They really are not that cute for long.

Thanks purple, very perceptive, I am not enjoying her at the moment as she will be my only one

I've posted on your other thread, OP - I think it is a massive developmental milestone.