22 month old bedtime problems

Tapthathank · June 2014

I think my DS has mastered the art of delay tactics. I am so frustrated. We moved into my parent's house on May 1 while our kitchen/living room is being renovated. Since the day we moved in DS has been very difficult to get to finally fall asleep. He whines and calls out for me, I go in and he asks for a drink of water. He does this every 10-15 min for the course of an hour and then he has been waking up earlier than usual - 5:30/6. At home, he was in bed by 7:15 and would sleep until 6:30/7am. At first I chalked it up to a new place...and a pack n play. But it's been over a month, I thought he would have gotten used to it by now!

Tonight, I decided I was going to hold firm and not give in to the water demand. I went in the first time he was whining for a few minutes and told him it was time for bed and that I would give him a hug. He just kept saying "water". I said no, you have had enough water - it is time for bed. And then I left - he cried for 10 min before I caved and went in to calm him down.

Then I thought he would be out, he laid back down without a problem. 4 more times....my husband got home a little bit ago and went in to "shush" him to lay back down.

I don't know what to do. We have done sleep training in the past and it has worked well, but now he is a stubborn toddler and has more stamina! Is this just a phase that will pass? Should I try a later bedtime?

Help please!!

ashiscute · June 2014

I recently moved in with my parents and my LOs are sharing a room for the first time so i understand that it can be an adjustment. But I have kept everything as consistent as I did at our old house. Routine is the same as is how I handle bedtime stalling behaviors.

If you are going to put your foot down then you need to do it. He's probably still confused but it doesn't help if some nights he gets water right away and others he cries for 10 mins. I'd put him to bed 30 mins later than normal and give him some water and then tell him it's bed time/no more water and that's it. Obviously, you can still do checks like Ferber but you have to be consistent for him to get it. Hopefully you can get back in your house soon. We have 5 more days and I am sooo ready!

sarahandeddiejune212008 · June 2014

What about leaving a sippy of water with him? Both my girls (3 1/2 and 22 months) have water in bed with them. That way it avoids the "I need a drink" excuse.

Tapthathank · June 2014

Thanks ladies! I definitely have not been firm and he is totally walking all over me. I'm going to push bedtime to 7:30, leave a sippy of water with him in the pack n play and let him whine it out. If it escalates, I will go up and reassure him...but I just need to put my foot down!

I know he is manipulating me (or missing me?), because if DH or one of my parents goes up, Sam says "Mama" And they tell him that I'm sleeping or resting. And then he doesn't make another peep!

The routine is the same, but we read books in the living room at my parent's house vs in his bedroom at home.

@ashiscute - I hear you, I am so ready! We have 2 more weeks to go - I hope!

Tapthathank · June 2014

Oh another delay tactic, "sleep sack!" I go in, and he has one of his little legs sticking out of his sleep sack. Well don't unzip it then!!! I'm tempted to stop with them...or put it on backwards! lol.

Tapthathank · June 2014

Last night went much better! I put him down at 7:27 with his sippy of water. He started whining at 7:42, which escalated very quickly to crying....and all was quiet by 7:46. Not a peep all night! He still woke up at 6ish...but much improved!

Thanks for all of your help ladies!

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