Seeking Mom's Advice on 2 Year Old's Sleep Disturbances in the New Haven Area

Both of my kids went through similar things at different ages even though most of the time they are excellent sleepers. You're lucky this is the first time she has done it. She is just checking the boundaries of bedtime. Don't let her push you. If she is actually scared, like from a nightmare, then by all means go and comfort her. After that, just tell her that it's still night time and she needs to go back to sleep. Leave her in her room and handle it in a matter of fact manner. Don't react like you are asking her to stay in bed. React like it is absolutely absurd for her to think that she can get up when it's not even morning yet! Leave her in her room even if she cries, otherwise you will be doing this for a long time. I don't know what you mean by "getting her" , but if you are bringing her into your room then you are only rewarding her for this behavior. You don't have to be mean about it, but be stern and don't leave any wiggle room in your actions which she might perceive as a weakness and keep trying. Since she has always been a good sleeper, if she knows she can't budge you then she will return to her good old habits!!!

My son did this at two and a half, as well. It was very frustrating. I refused to get him from his crib. I continually went in, lais him back down and left...usually without a word. We also found that a nightlight helped some. And he liked having a security toy in his crib with him. You might also start restricting her nap times, so that she is fully tired at night. Our son was in bed every night at 8, and we found that we were in for a rough night if he was still asleep at 3 p.m. during his nap. So, we found some success in not allowing him to nap after 3p.m., and waking him up at 3, if he was still asleep from his nap. Because she seems to want to play, my guess is too much rest is her problem. Also, never remove her from the crib until it's time to get up, no matter how much greif she gives. This way she'll at least learn to play quietly in there, because she's not getting out..

The same thing happened with my 11 month old. She slept on a regular schedule every night since she was 5 weeks old (lucky me). I actually saw this on the Super Nanny and it actually worked in 2 nights and it only took me a few times going in to her room. Sometimes she would scream and do the whole drama thing that little girls do so well. Then you could hear her cries get softer and more spread apart then nothing. Sound asleep. The 2nd night I only had to go in once and she was asleep. When you hear her cry let her cry for a minute and see if she falls back to sleep. If not go into her room, don't make eye contact and don't say a word. Lay her down and rub her back or tummy or whatever soothes her. You can shush her if that is soothing to her too. When you get her soothed and not crying, leave the room. When she starts crying again even if it is when you leave the room you don't go back for 2 minutes and repeat the soothing. Next time it will be 4 min. double your time each time. As I said, it worked for me.

Good luck. I know exactly what sleep depravation will do.

Hi S.,

My son is a nite owl-but bedtime is bedtime. Since he was a baby, we always would let him "cry it out" & he became pretty sufficient at soothing himself to sleep. At age 2, he was in a toddler bed & we put one of those child safety things on his side of the door handle so he cannot open his door. If he gets up, he might spin the child safety thing, but within 5 minutes, he gives up & goes back to sleep. At least I know that if he does get up during the nite, he is safe in his room and not roaming the house or falling down stairs. If you give in to her cries, she will continue to do it. If I were you, I would let her cry for 5 minutes, go in & lay her down, & leave. Let her cry for another 5 minutes & keep repeating. Try not to talk to her because the more attention you give her the more she's got you. The next night, increase it to 6 minute incraments. This is what works for us-keep us posted on what happens!

Does your daughter still take a nap? If she does she may be actually getting too much sleep. I would try giving up the nap if that's the case.