I need sleep advice. At my wit's end.

sharinfaith · November 2013

My 2yo DD has been fighting me to go to sleep for 2 weeks now! Every naptime and bedtime is a knockdown, dragout fight. She won't go to sleep, nor even stay in bed long enough to relax. And it's only with me!

Daycare, she's fine. Her aunt's house, she's great. I don't know what to do!

Help?

ETA: We do night time routine including bathtime, brushing teeth, 2 books, and lullabye music. This hasn't changed in a year.

orangecurls · November 2013

Can u not fight back? Just do the routine and walk out the door? (Maybe lock the door or put up a baby gate?).

Also give her a lot of attention right before bed time routine, maybe play with a special toy and put the toy to bed.

jllmb79 · November 2013

Maybe a new stuffed animal to sleep with, some glow in the dark stars, sound machine projector, new PJ's, or a new blanket?

I was having some trouble with bath and we went and picked out some new toys for the tub and fixed the problem. Some times some new books or new library books help our routine for bed.

sharinfaith · November 2013

Thanks! I will try all these things. I haven't just left her in the room with a gate or anything yet. We bed share in the master bedroom, so I'm afraid she'd destroy it.
And, do I let her pick out a new toy and dub that "bedtime snugly"? Or something? She's never had a lovey except a certain type of blanket (not a particular one, just as long as it's soft enough for her).
I feel like she's starting a whole new phase at 2yo and I'm at a loss trying to relearn her. Where's my sweet baby?!

jllmb79 · November 2013

I would tell her you are going to the store to pick out a new stuffed animal to sleep with and see how it goes. My DD#1 2.5yrs old sleeps with a stuffed dog, cat , cheetah and penguin right now. All have to be accounted for before she will go to bed, even though she only spoons the dog.

When we vacation she only brings 1 stuffed animal

My daughter is still in a crib but when she goes to a big girl bed I will put a gate on her bedroom door.

sschwege · November 2013

sharinfaith said:

Thanks! I will try all these things. I haven't just left her in the room with a gate or anything yet. We bed share in the master bedroom, so I'm afraid she'd destroy it. And, do I let her pick out a new toy and dub that "bedtime snugly"? Or something? She's never had a lovey except a certain type of blanket (not a particular one, just as long as it's soft enough for her). I feel like she's starting a whole new phase at 2yo and I'm at a loss trying to relearn her. Where's my sweet baby?!

You could try Build a Bear! That's what we did with DD.

blondie42107 · November 2013

We made a "list" for ds1. I bought stickers of a bathtub, pajamas, toothbrush, storybook and bed (thank you craft store). I placed them on cardstock in that order (top to bottom) and put it in a 5x7 frame which sits in Ds1's room. When he would get upset about a certain part of the routine, we'd ask him what was next on his list. He loved it and 99% of the time it worked. We still have it but haven't had to use it for quite a while.

orangecurls · November 2013

This is a great idea!

blondie42107 said:
We made a "list" for ds1. I bought stickers of a bathtub, pajamas, toothbrush, storybook and bed (thank you craft store). I placed them on cardstock in that order (top to bottom) and put it in a 5x7 frame which sits in Ds1's room. When he would get upset about a certain part of the routine, we'd ask him what was next on his list. He loved it and 99% of the time it worked. We still have it but haven't had to use it for quite a while.

MamaAllison · November 2013

No advice - just wanted to say I'm right there with you! we haven't had a weekend nap in over a month and bedtime is becoming troublesome too. It's like she's not tired enough to go down, but it's past 8 pm and we have to get her up at 6:30 for us to be out the door. She's too tired to wake up in a good mood most days so I know she isn't getting enough sleep. I guess we will try some of these ideas.

luvmygirlss · December 2013

it's completely normal around this age.Major cognitive development makes it hard to sleep. She knows your the one that could help calm her best, so she does it with you and no one else. I would give it some more time and things should go back to normal.

BeanNut · December 2013

Yup, she is probably too interested in everything else to sleep. Just set some limits and stick to them (e.g., no leaving her room after she is tucked in, enforce by closing the door). Don't make exceptions unless she is ill.

CheezeFace · December 2013

DS does this with my H. Screams and cries at nap time if H puts him down, either goes to sleep or chats to himself if it's me. No fussing.

I've wondered if it's b/c H is much more of a softie than I am? DS knows H will go get him or try to soothe him whereas I'm like, "hey, sleep or don't but you need quite time for an hour in your crib." Actually, I need the quiet time:) Are you "giving in"? Don't get me wrong, I don't CIO with DS and I'm not advocating that here but are you going back in to soothe, etc... a bunch of times? 2yos are smart. She'll catch on that she cam make mommy come back if she wants….

Also, I repeat the sentiments with the loveies from pp.'s. DS has always had a blanket but right around 2yo he added a stuffed seal, a teddy bear and the back-up blanket(same exact as the first blanket, i was jet switching them out now I can't get them away from him) to his entourage. This might help.

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I need sleep advice. At my wit's end.

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