2 And a Half Year Old Will Not sleep...help!

My advice is to be patient with your daughter. A new baby is a lot of adjustment for a 2 1/2 year old to handle, and sounds like she's just reacting to the stress of it all in her own way. Sounds like maybe she's seeking extra love and attention from mommy and daddy since the new baby probably (understandably) takes up a lot of your time.

My daughter was the same age as yours when my baby boy came. She went through the exact same thing with sleep problems including naps and bedtime. It was so tough for a while as I was so sleep deprived anyway with being up all night with the baby, and my husband went back to work a week after the baby was born. But after a month or two, things fell back into a routine, I was more confident with handling 2, and big sister started to adjust to having a baby brother. Then all of a sudden her sleep improved. I found that on the days she acted up either at bedtime or naptime, that she was really just seeking extra attention from me. Once I gave her what she needed, maybe some alone time with me or extra hugs and cuddles, she always settled right down.

I know it's so tough, when you need all the sleep you can possibly get while taking care of both kids, but hang in there. It will get better!

My daughter was just over 2 when our other daughter was born. She had never been a great sleeper, but the first 3 months after the new one came she was a nightmare. All her anxiety about the new baby came out in the middle of the night.

Then almost overnight it stopped. By the time she was about 2 1/2, she was sleeping better than ever - almost never wakes up in the night and goes to bed easily. Give it a little more time - the adjustment is hard on them.

Happened to me as well. My son was 2 when the baby was born, and he actually stopped sleeping through the night 4 months before the baby was born. He's ultra-sensitive so I think he knew what might be coming and was seeking more attention. Be patient because it is a difficult adjustment for toddlers, but know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. My son used to sleep in the dark without any problems, but after the baby's birth, we purchased a night light and one of those constellation turtles and left his door wide open so he knew we were right outside. I don't recommend going to sleep with your toddler in the same room (because that's a harder habit to break), but I do recommend lots more 1:1 cuddle time, especially before bed. Good luck, and hang in there!

I was in the same boat a few months ago. When my third was born my middle was almost 2. This may not work for you but this is exactly what I did...I put a mattress on the floor in my newborns room and had my 2 yr old sleep with me in there. My husband does not help at all at night so I had to figure a way to get some sleep and that was it. 8 mos later we are all in our own rooms again. Hope this helps. Good luck and congrats!