Advice needed: I have a 19th month old who has been a fantastic sleeper (with a few bumps in the road here and there). She is extremely active---will not sit still and constantly is engaging in something. She goes to sleep around 7:30, and wakes between 7:30-8. She gave up morning nap a couple months ago and seemed to do fine, would sleep 1-3 or 3:30. However, the past 5 days or so, even though everything else is the same, she literally cannot make it past 12:30. She is an absolute bear! Throws mini tantrums, cries for no reason and and will actually say "me nap, me nap". Iw ould think after sleeping all night, she shoul not start to become a bear by 11:30-12. Then she will sleep 12:30-3:30 give or take. Am I lucky & worrying for no reason since I am a first time mom? Is this the beginning of the toddler stage of parenting headaches? I look at the sleep requirements for this age and she gets way more.
I will add she is not sick, has no underyling health issues, talks up a storm, and up unitl 5 days ago was a well behaved happy kid.
she could be in a growth spurt and needing a little extra sleep. My dh goes through spurts like that where suddenly he almost seems to need 2 naps again!
If she's asking for a nap, I would let her have a nap. Not all kids need the same amount of sleep (or all adults for that matter). And we don't always need the same amount every day. Sometimes we're extra tired for any, or no, reason.
If you notice anything else changing, you might want to investigate further. But this is likely a growth spurt, related to a change in your household, or just a phase.
I would take her to the Doctor! My daughter started doing the exact same thing when she was 2 years old. Everyone told me it was just a stage she was going through. One month later I took her to her doctor. She was diagnosed with Type One diabetes. Other symptoms followed gradually, like she refused to go to the bathroom. All she wanted to do was drink from her bottle and sleep and she even started refusing to eat and her breath smelled friuty. Dont worry, but get her checked. Soon.
Laura,
5 days ago it was Christmas, did you have family over or travel to see family for the holiday? Change the routine for those couple of days? Was your stress level higher because of the holiday? Or did your little one have a big build up to Christmas? I would say its pretty normal to be overtired right after the holiday, what with the presents and family visiting and whatever else you may have done. Things will probably get back to normal soon. I would say if she is tired and asking for a nap, put her down for a nap. Once things settle down, from the holidays, things will probably get better. If they don't then have your pediatrician check things out. Unless she presents more symptoms in the mean time.
By the way those sleep requirements are just a guide (an average, per se), each individual child has their own needs. Your little one may require a bit more sleep than another child her same age.
Take care,
V.
I would say a growth spurt. My 21 month old went through this recently. The tantrums are just beginning. My extremely active daughter is very strong willed and loves having tantrums. My older child never really went through the Terrible twos.
Hi laura,
I agree with the previous advice. I will add some thoughts:
1. is there a change in the routine? is she interacting with more kids in any setting (that can be tiring at first. My LO would be more tired after a new playgroup at that age.)
2. Is she coming down with something?
GL. HTH. Jilly
