why is it suddenly taking DD over an hour to go to sleep?

[drivingmisscrazy]

she's nearly 18 months; after a rocky start sleep wise we had a pretty good routine, 7-7 more or less and a short nap in the day (daytime napping always elusive here, worse luck - so of people whose babies sleep for 2 hours in the middle of the day). But all of a sudden we have her wailing and moaning for up to an hour at her normal bedtime - any idea why? Same at naptimes. Any ideas?

Could it be to do with the 18 month sleep regression? See here for more info.

possibly, possibly. Driving us nuts - me particularly as I tend to reserve evenings for getting work done (partly due to lack of extended napping, grrr) and now it's 8.30 by the time she's asleep. It's like she's saying 'I will decide when I go to sleep, not you'. She is overtired, too, mind you, which really isn't helping (due to MIL doorbell ringing incident 10 mins after we'd finally got her to sleep )

Has she just dropped a nap? Maybe she's not quite adjusted to having only one nap and needs a bit more night sleep - can you try putting to bed a little earlier, say half an hour?

And tell your MIL off!!

Iggly oh I did tell her off! a bit really as she is a lovely woman, but unbelievable thoughtlessness from someone who raised 6 kids! She's been on one nap for ages - at least 3 months. She started walking about a month ago, and is starting to put words together, which probably isn't helping. Put her to bed half an hour earlier today - finally asleep 2 hours later!

at telling your nice MIL off. They do forget don't they??

Can you wear your DD out by getting her outside and pottering around in the fresh air? (Obv not just before bedtime!)

she loves being outside, so yes, that's something to try. Did give her a fairy cake after dinner today, which might explain it...

My sister has a permanent notice stuck next to her dorrbell. 'please don't ring baby asleep'. Also prevents cold callers

suggested to DP that we just unplug it as we never have unexpected visitors and our house isn't very big. Will get rid of the very annoying people endlessly trying to get you to change your phone/elec/gas/TV/Internet contracts

One of my friends put a sign next to the doorbell saying not to ring as 2x babies and 1x mummy asleep. The 4 year old from next door came and rang the bell to ask what the new notice said.

...and why are some children just so rubbish at napping? she's awake again after about 30 mins...

Short naps drive me mad. I envy those who get two hour lunch time naps

I agree - not worth the paper they're written on, as it were. DD has never napped for longer than 1.5h -and that's been rare enough (fingers of one hand for the 18months of her existence grrrr)