BTDT: Toddler Sleep Habits

whippoorwill3 · December 2014

I know there have been a couple posts on toddler sleep related things so sorry if this is a repeat. But I'm frustrated and exhausted so here goes. My daughter turned 2 in October and has been an awesome sleeper since she was about 9 months. Now for the last 3 days putting her down for bed and naps is like torture. For her and for me! Two of the last three nights I've ended up letting her fall asleep on me and then putting her in her crib because nothing else would calm her down. I haven't had to do that for so long! And it's not comfortable with my growing belly. I had been thinking about switching to a toddler bed soon but I don't know if it would just make it worse. I can't figure out what's different. Sorry that was so long. Anyone have advice?

ally3242 · December 2014

I recently went through this with my 20 month old. We transitioned him from his crib to a toddler bed and it has made a world of difference. I'm not sure if he felt like he was trapped in his crib, or just uncomfortable...but once we started to sleep train him in his new bed...things started to take a turn for the positive. It's definitely been a challenge and he has still had some fits, but he's sleeping much better for the most part and going down at night without a fight. I hope things start to get better for ya'll!

lexyraejay · December 2014

mbm1983 said:
Are you on one nap or two?

Mine turned 2 in October and she's generally a good sleeper at night but refuses naps at all. We just kept reducing the time of naps so she'd still go to bed at night. We actually just got rid of naps completely because she just sits in her crib playing or talking to herself and never goes to sleep.

it's been hell the hour before bedtime but at least now at bed time when we put her in there at 8:30 she's asleep in 10 minutes rather than talking to herself til 10.

I don't think switching to a toddler bed would make it easier. In a toddler bed now they can get out and run and play if they want. Does she hate her crib? try to climb out?

I second this! OP, your daughter might be ready for shorter/no naps. You could easily experiment with shortening the naps... sounds easier than getting a new bed for the time being, especially if she isn't trying to climb out of the crib yet!

HZ2012 · December 2014

I wouldn't switch to a toddler bed unless she's trying to climb out. I don't have personal experience yet (thankfully I was blessed with an awesome sleeper) but I feel like that may complicate things.

Is she feeling ok? Is she hungry or thirsty? Is she tired enough? Like pp mentioned maybe alter her nap time a bit so she's more sleepy when you put her in for the night. Or, maybe give it a few days more before you do anything - could just be a quick phase where she's testing you.

whippoorwill3 · December 2014

@mbm1983‌ She takes one nap. Typically she goes down easy for nap and I let her sleep as long as she wants - usually 2 hours. And she doesn't try to climb out of her crib. Up until a couple days ago she seemed pretty content with it.

whippoorwill3 · December 2014

lexyraejay said:

mbm1983 said:
Are you on one nap or two?

Mine turned 2 in October and she's generally a good sleeper at night but refuses naps at all. We just kept reducing the time of naps so she'd still go to bed at night. We actually just got rid of naps completely because she just sits in her crib playing or talking to herself and never goes to sleep.

it's been hell the hour before bedtime but at least now at bed time when we put her in there at 8:30 she's asleep in 10 minutes rather than talking to herself til 10.

I don't think switching to a toddler bed would make it easier. In a toddler bed now they can get out and run and play if they want. Does she hate her crib? try to climb out?
I second this! OP, your daughter might be ready for shorter/no naps. You could easily experiment with shortening the naps... sounds easier than getting a new bed for the time being, especially if she isn't trying to climb out of the crib yet!

I'm not going to lie when I say I don't like this advice. I'm so attached to a long nap time! It's so nice to have some quiet time in the middle of the day! I guess I'm probably holding on to it harder than she is....

xuxachi · December 2014

My DS had a nap strike at about 2-1/2. It was clear that he needed them, he just fought it. I experimented with the time of the nap and pushing it back to 2:00 worked. I just made sure he didn't sleep too long and disrupt going to bed.

He's now 3 and he decided again that he's done with naps and BT is a struggle b/c he's way overtired. I need to push up his BT but that's hard when DH puts him to bed and takes ages. I also need to get him out of his crib already - maybe that'll help.

lexyraejay · December 2014

whippoorwill3 said:
@mbm1983‌ She takes one nap. Typically she goes down easy for nap and I let her sleep as long as she wants - usually 2 hours. And she doesn't try to climb out of her crib. Up until a couple days ago she seemed pretty content with it.

My daughter is 19 months and I have to wake her up from her nap so it isn't more than 2 hours. If she naps more than 2 hours, it wreaks havoc on her nighttime sleeping.

whippoorwill3 · December 2014

mbm1983 said:
I also would check to see if her 2 year molars are starting to make there way through. there is no worse enemy to sleep than teething!

I've been wondering about that. She's been chewing on her hands quite a bit.

rmaurer08 · December 2014

PP's are all saying things from my experience! I have a 3 &1/2 year old. 1) don't switch to a toddler bed unless your LO is trying to climb out of the crib. (This was actually advice from our family dr and has worked WONDERFULLY for us.)
2) did you check for 2 year molars? Try a 6 hour ibuprophen about an hour before bed... It may just do the trick even if you can't feel the teeth yet!!
3) how many naps are you at during the day and how long are they for? It sounds like it's time to trim back on nap time some. NOTE- this can be painful!!! Just know it's worth it in the long run! For us, we had to totally avoid driving anywhere durring typical nap time because she would cash out on the car rides, no matter how short. Now, we are in the process of switching from one nap time to "rest time" where she just takes a movie break with low lights. It helps a lot at bed time!!

JAP09-02 · December 2014

Lildoll513 said:
Another thing to consider: my guy has never shown symptoms of an ear infection when he gets one besides trouble sleeping.

This was my oldest DD, too. It was the only sign.

MitoRachel · December 2014

My 2 1/2 yr. old is borderline for needing naps. It just depends on the day. So I let him pick out a couple of toys to take to bed with him and tell him he can play if he doesn't want to nap. Mommy needs the break!

topaz7777 · December 2014

Mine started having dreams/nightmares just after 2. She started waking up crying and now wants the door left open. I added a night light to her room and she has been fine since.

babynica · December 2014

+1 for the toddler bed. We got DS one of those plastic ones from Wal-Mart with Disney Cars on it. He was so excited. We used to bedshare, he used the crib maybe 10 times in his life. Since then, we've had only a few instances where he comes to our bed in the middle of the night. It's been amazing, actually.

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