Help with napping & sleeping issue

MrsLeanna

Always something with the little ones

Alexis has been giving us a hard time going to sleep.  I put her in her bed and she stays there fine but then calls for me or DH.  She doesn't really want anything, and she doesn't get out of bed.  One of us goes us gives her a kiss and then leaves again.  The problem is that this can go on for a while so she's not going to sleep until 9ish, sometimes later.  I put her down about 8:15.  This would not be an issue if she didn't have school but since she needs to wake up early I have to wake her every morning and she's tired.  So she gets home from school and then naps for 2.5 - 3 hours and wakes up about 4:30.  We tried closing the door and letting her scream at night, but it didn't work - it worked her up even more and didn't work.  She knows how to open the door so I have to stand there and hold it closed.  She screams at the top of her lungs and slams her hands on the door and the wall and just gets out of control.  So, any suggestions?  Do I cut her nap shorter?  Anything else I can try? 

cocojack10

I could be completely off base, but my first instinct is to:

1) cut naptime in half (initially slowly)
2) setup a naptime routine (if not already done), which includes 1-2 stories, kisses from mom/dad, goodnight
3) warm glass of milk
4) shower before bedtime (hopefully this calms her down - it does me!)

Hope it gets better!  GL

Albah

Jackie gives some great tips if you don't already implement them. It sounds like she was sleeping well before but now giving a hard time? I would first try what Jackie mentioned. The most likely problem is that she is not tired because her nap may be too long.So cutting naptime would be my 1st step. But you may have to take baby steps with her if that doesn't work. Will she go to sleep if you are in the room with her? If this works, I wouldn't suggest getting into bed with her as this would develop bad habits but perhaps telling her that mommy is close by and staying near the door may make her more at ease . Perhaps she is scared but won't say it. I am by no means an expert in this department as Evan has been giving us a hard time as well. But we used to have to get into the bed with him but we are now in the stage of staying close by without getting into bed and it has worked out well for us.

MelanieJH1016

I'm sure you already have a bedtime routine. I think this is just another annoying phase. Zoe is the master of stalling bedtime. Calling me in for one more kiss, one more hug, a tissue, her babydoll moved, whatever! It's very annoying. I find if she is more tired, she stalls less. So maybe the answer is cutting her naptime shorter. What time does she have to wake up for school? Kids this age only need 11-13 hours of sleep total per 24 hour period, so if she's napping 3 hours, she only needs 10 hours or less at night, which is probably why she stalls so long.

Snshine

I have master stallers too and it drives me crazy.  When they're in the mood to need you (cover, kiss, story) I tell them after 2 attempts that this will be the last cover/kiss/whatever and that usually works.  If it doesn't, I let them fuss for a bit then go back and say, "Are you ready for your cover/kiss/whatever?".  I give one and then we're done.  I hope it's as easy for you!

CesEve99

we're sort of on the same boat with mady. she seems to be letting go of her everyday naps.

on the days she doesnt nap (which is a killer) she goes to bed by 7-730pm.

on the days she does nap, she usually goes down for 3 hours during the afternoon (usually 1-3:30pm sometimes waking up at 4) but then by her usual bedtime of 8pm will stay awake in her bed until past 9:30pm.

i'm not sure what to do either.

 

karenlisa714

yep, we are having problems too! Zachary has a great day at school, naps about two hours there, and then doesn't go to bed until 10pm. I put him in bed by 9ish but he lays there crying or screaming because he is afraid to fall asleep without me. this started when he was very sick over the past couple months. he could not fall asleep without being rocked or whatever since he felt badly. now it is a big problem. I try to take him to the park to tire him out after school, but it isn't working!