We CANNOT Get Our Toddler to Sleep at Night

Updated on January 12, 2009
N.W. asks from Chandler, AZ
9 answers

One thing led to another and now our daughter is 2 1/2 years old and won't go to bed until between 2-3 AM! We've tried getting her up early. Putting her down early - she thinks it's a nap and wakes up at midnight bright eyed and bushy tailed. She sleeps in a queen size bed in her own room. Any suggestions? This schedule is NOT working!

Mini-Update: At 11p last night we started putting her to bed. Did a routine, brushed teeth, read books, snuggled, etc. At midnight we tucked her in and closed the door. She sat by the door asking for us. After 6 min. my husband went in and put her back in bed. She came back to the door and cried. I shut my office door and he put on headphones so we couldn't hear. About 45 min later all was quiet and we checked on her. She had crawled into a chair in her room that has a cover she can pull down like a cocoon and was totally crashed out. We put her back in bed and she didn't wake up until 10:30 this morning. So- first night: not so bad. I'm expecting tonight to be worse.

Now I'm wondering about traveling. We were planning to go to California for a few days next week and are now thinking about cancelling so that we can continue to work on this very important bed time routine. Any thoughts?

Thank you,
N.

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So What Happened?

My husband has become great at putting her to bed and somehow he manages to do it without her crying for hours. I'm clueless. I think I'm doing the exact same things and she cries by the door which makes me hurt SO bad inside. It breaks my heart. My mom says that's what she did to me, and I survived, supposedly. So- I put in earplugs when it's my turn to tuck her in, but thankfully he's home most evenings and tucks her in. Somehow she's still getting into our bed though in the middle of the night. We haven't even been noticing until we wake up, which is kinda funny, but we're still making sure to leave the doors open which is important to us. Thanks for everyone's suggestions. :)

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I.E.

answers from Phoenix on

Keep her up until about 7:30 or so and give her a some Sleepy Time tea if she will drink it or a bowl of cereal with warm milk. It worked for me when my kids were growing up and now they are using it on their children.

Good Luck.

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M.O.

answers from Phoenix on

I am a mom of a 2 1/2 yr old and I thought I was the only one with that problem-so unfortinitly I dont have advise but if it makes you feel any better you are not alone.I work late hours, I do hair out of my home, when my husband comes home from his job and watches her -so I am on a later skedule than most people but end up on an even later skedule than I want to be cause my daughter is a little night person herself-it is hard!!!But I have noticed she is understanding more and more each day as they do and I think it will get easier as they grow.GOOD LUCK-

1 mom found this helpful
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G.D.

answers from Phoenix on

When our toddler started having trouble sleeping, a friend recommended the book "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems", by Ferber, and after just a couple tough nights, it started working! (We had tried so many other "home remedies" prior to this!) Others moms might have more recently published book recommendations that I wouldn't know about, but this classic, compassionate style worked for our toddler. We also learned about some things we were inadvertently doing that contributed to the problem! In addition to specific steps to take in a process, it also has a lot of scientific info on sleep patterns. (you could skim over this and get to the process) Good luck!

F.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Yikes! I can't even relate to this since both my kids slept 12 hours straight since birth and are still good sleepers. I would definately try to keep her up during the day, feed her good before bed so she has a full stomach and try to get her back on schedule. My girlfriend had a baby that had switched her sleeping schedule, she slept during the day and was litterally up all night. It took quite a bit of effort to get her back. Hopefully some moms that have experienced this can help you! Good luck!

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A.S.

answers from Phoenix on

See a Chiropractor that see children. It can make a BIG difference. Make sure your childs' intake of sugar is extremely limied especially from afternoon on. Try dimming down the light and turning off the tv at a specific time. Coming soon askdrannette.com

A.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I have four boys ages 10, 8, almost 5 and 2 months old. My first two boys were not the best sleepers -- we created bad sleeping habits for them. That all changed after I read "Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems" by Dr. Richard Ferber. This book literally saved my life!! I was a walking zombie with a 10 month old and 2 1/2 year old who didn't sleep well until I taught them how using this book! Sleeping and going to sleep is like an art form. It can be taught and learned. It only took us 2 nights to teach our then 3 year old to go to bed, stay in bed and stay asleep. It took the same with our 10 month old. (We used different techniques according to their age) Anyway...Dr. Ferber's advice and counsel is practical, sound and easy to incorporate. Best of all...IT WORKS. I'm living proof. I highly recommend reading his book.

Good luck!

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M.V.

answers from Phoenix on

Our first child we put the lock on the door and locked him in. Our second child we have a baby gate. Keep her in her room and if she wants to stay up in there just have a blanket on the floor...so she doesn't have to crawl back into her bed. Sorry to say but you have somehow conditioned her to do that like we all have done at some point...so I am sure you will find a way to get her reprogrammed. Good luck! :)

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S.L.

answers from Tucson on

Calmazon is an amazing and SAFE herbal combination formula. If you are interested in checking it out my website is: www.shootingstarherbs.amazonherb.net - or you can email me with any questions.

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L.G.

answers from Albuquerque on

I had the same problem with my son now four and after many trip to the dr. the problem is solved for us. We foiund that certain foods caused him to be wide awake sure there is the usual suspects caffine, and suger but for our son things like msg and nitrates kept him up late. Now after a few minor adjustments he gets a story at 9 and is asleep by 9:30 I know that is still a little late but it is what we found works. He stays asleep until 5:30 or 6:00. hope this helps.

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