My 2 Yr Old Wont Sleep

I let her scream for a little bit (10 mins) if she is like this. She had a few nights of this when she stopped taking naps. Start a routine. Even brushing her teeth, tucking her in, and reading a book or kissing good night is a routine. Does she not wear a diaper at night? If she is 2 she should have a night time diaper. Consistency is key, it seems like it isn't there. Give her a hefty snack before you put her to bed, 15 mins before the routine or however long it takes her to eat. You don't need school to start a routine. Do bath, snack, story, and bed now. She's not trying to manipulate you per-se, she just knows she doesn't want to sleep and will try ways to not sleep. She would do it with anyone and because you have given in it will increase until the giving in stops (letting her fall asleep in the living room). I would put her to bed at 815. My 2 1/2 yr old doesn't nap and at 9 she would be way overtired which is like being wired and tired at the same time. It's hard to fall asleep that way.

Laeh has a point too. My daughter yells because she's mad b/c she doesn't want to go to bed. With their dad being gone she may be scared, only you can tell that. If she is scared, lay with her for a few minutes and calm her down. Maybe try some sleepy time tea with the bear on it. It has no caffeine and nothing that will hurt kids in it.

You need to get on a schedule. Otherwise your life will be in endless turmoil. The children are upset by the absence of their father so you will have to be on time with meals, bedtimes, story time. Do not let her scream. She is frightened.
If you are so tired for one or two nights put her in bed with you. She will be comforted and both of you will sleep. If you can break the cycle of sleep deprivation you will get her used to bedtime again.
After dinner bathroom, bathe or wash up, teeth brushing. Then story and off to bed.
I stuck to a schedule and never had bedtime problems.

Make a bedtime routine and stick to it. Take a bath, read a book and lights out. When she gets up, quietly walk her back. You may have to do this time and time again at first, but she will eventually get it. It will be hard at first, but it will pay off in the end. Good luck.

You need a bedtime routine! Your 2 year old needs structure, in fact she's asking for it in her own way and by not having a routine and blaming it on nursing is an excuse. Nurse your newborn before you start the bedtime routine and he/she will be fine for the 45 mins you devote to bath,books and bed with your toddler. Since you aim for 9pm as bedtime nurse at 8pm. This way you can devote attention to this child who I am sure already feels neglected due to the new baby and her dad leaving. As for giving in to her screaming, I wouldn't. I also wouldn't give her food that late at night. Maybe a drink of water. I would start this routine asap and not wait for school so your child is well rested once school does start and you have some tome to yourself at night.

Dear mom, your dad is two and she probably needs your attention. Now that there is a new baby in the house, she's no longer the baby. Be understanding of her. The lack of routine is affecting her as well. I have a baby myself and when he was born, it was very hard to maintain our bedtime routine with my two and four year old but I stuck with it, even if that meant putting them to bed after the newborn had nursed and gone to sleep. Sometime I would bring the newborn into the bathroom and held him while they were taking a bad or into their bed while I was reading to them. This is what worked for me: I allowed for 2 year old to get in bed with me if she couldn't fall asleep in her bed. Bedtime and sleep need to be a positive thing. Don't lock her in her room or let her scream. Validate eher feelings. Explain to her that she can sleep with you while things settle down with the new baby. You will be amazed at how quickly she falls asleep and how the demands for food stop. She just needs to be loved and included.

Since she needs a nap and isn't getting one she is probably so overly tired she can't sleep. Have you ever read "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". Anyway great book and indicates that the later you put them to bed the worse they sleep and they won't necessarily sleep later. I always found this accurate with my kids. I would try putting her to bed at 7:30. Also, eliminate TV before bed. If I let my daughter watch a show before bed she has the hardest time going to bed. A half-our before bed shut the TV off. I know 7:30 may seem early to you but guaranteed it will make things better once this becomes routine. She will be more rested and go to bed easier. Hang in there. I know how hard this is.

I'm so sorry! I'm a mom of 4! One I would keep in a.d. crib.
I had a wise mom tell me to keep them in a crib till they can't fit anymore.
Maybe add one of those musical aquariums that attach.
I'm my case getting them in a schedule/routine the best you can helps.
Get them up around the same time and either no nap or one late afternoon like 2 or 3 pm for an hour or so. No masi at 6 our wake them up
Just put to bed earlier. I know alot of my friends have trouble with there kids not sleeping when they put them in a regular bed before 3 years old!
Hope this helps.