Bedtime for toddler

[scotty]

Our 23 month little lady, has always been good at bedtime , we have always had a strict routine , however she has started to play up and is becoming harder to put down. She says that she doesn't want her books and that it is too dark (its not she has a night lite  as always). My wife thinks she isn't tired enough and that the after noon nap should be be reduced from an an hour and possibly 20 mins to 45 minutes. Any one got any suggestions and advice pleeeese !!!!

[dmsjps]

I would agree with your wife. Your daughter is almost two now and probably doesn't need as much sleep. My second child (a girl) never slept through the day from about 6 months, but she give me a full night's sleep from two weeks of age so I didn't complain at all. They're all different and you just thave to play it by ear.  There will certainly be no harm in trying it anyway. If it doesn't work after a week or two, she can always have her siesta back if she wants it. She may become more grouchy in the late afternoon to begin with, but you can work round that.

 

Otherwise, you could try tiring her out in an evening by going for walks (fresh air and exercise are fantastic for tiring little ones out, then her bath to calm down with), or if she's one who falls asleep on journeys, go for a ride in the car. If you have to go and do something via car anyway, get there quickly and take the scenic route home.

 

Good luck.

[draughthouse]

DEFINATELY reduce afternoon nap.  Also, see how she reacts to bathtime.  I changed my son's bathtime to earlier, because a bath revives him.  Where as my daughter gets sleepy after her bath, so I try to bath her later.

[Eeeek]

Hi there, I agree with cutting out the daytime nap although it may just be a phase she is going though. My daughter has always been great for going to bed without any bother however at around 2 she started playing up, getting out of bed, its too light, its too dark, i need a wee, i need a drink, anything really to try and get back out of bed. We had a nightmare couple of weeks but maintained our previous routine and kept putting her back to bed and not once did we let her downstairs. It sounds to me that your daughter is doing the same thing and its really just them testing our boundarys and seeing how far they can push us as parents. I can assure you that it will pass! Good Luck :-)

[georgit79]

Don't put her down just because she won't go to sleep- that's cruel!

Oh, right, I get you....

[nfn]

From about 12 months my son wouldn't go to bed until after 9pm if he had any kind of nap after 3pm. (does that make sense)? Maybe it's the time she's sleeping rather than the length of the nap

[destiny26]

My daughter is two and a half now and i stopped her sleeping in the daytime at two! she now goes to bed at 7 and gets up at 7! if she does fall sleep in the daytime and i cant stop her (i know they can get awful sometimes if they dont) she wont go to bed so i do try not to let her. I think bedtime routine is important too. I do tea, bath, quiet time (i feel this essential as any excitement and theyre off again!), story then bed! Be firm. hope this helps, good luck

[scotty]

Many thanks to you all especially Georgit ( almost fell off my chair laughing!!) we think we have to reduce daytime naps or cut them out completely, we will see how she goes, once agian thanks.

[georgit79]

You're very welcome- I do my best!