2.5 Year Old Still Wakes Once a Night (Not a New Behavior)

My son does this too. You might consider putting her in an actual bed because often they wake up because they are cramped (even if they deny it). Otherwise, I think you just need to go in there, tuck her in and be done with it. My son 4, totally capable of sleeping through the night (he did it for a week when he earned stickers for it) but he says that he wakes up because he is lonely or that he loves me and wants to be with me. I personally am not a fan of crying it out.

Developmentally, kids this age may still wake.

My kids, both of them started sleeping without waking, from about 3 years old. Naturally.

Your first child, was an easy sleeper.

I suspect it comforts her to have you tuck her in. When our 3 year old wakes in the middle of the night (not every night, but at least a couple of times a week), he just climbs into bed with us. I think it's actually very normal at this age. They just sleep better and feel better knowing Mommy and Daddy are near.

Personally, I would just go to her and help her with her blankets. It makes her feel better. I think you lucked out with the older one. Neither of my boys slept through the night until they were 18 months. And neither of them slept 11 hours until they gave up their naps!

I would just go in and reassure her and pull up her blankets. She's a little girl and seems to need this. She'll grow out of this need soon.

In the meantime, have her help you pick out a bigger blanket.

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I would just go in and reassure her and pull up her blankets. She's a little girl and seems to need this. She'll grow out of this need soon.

In the meantime, have her help you pick out a bigger blanket.

What happens if you do not go in there to give her the blanket?

I would just stop and see what happens.

It is kind of a ritual for her now.. You will need to just leave her to solve this on her own.

My 2.5 year old is still in her crib too, and she LOVES it. She isn't ready to not be in it, and that's ok. I like the fact that I don't have to worry about her getting up and wandering around the house at night.

I think for whatever reason she needs you to go in and comfort her. So, instead of waiting for her to ask for you and you having to wake up, why don't you go in right before YOU go to bed and wake her up just enough to know that you tucked her in. Then maybe you won't get woken up and she will get what she needs. Eventually you might be able to stop going in. But, its a process as with anything with kids. I hope that helps. Good luck!

I have to comment on the fact she is still in a baby bed. The bed is more than likely uncomfortable now. They are not made to support kids this big. She needs to be in a twin, full, or queen size bed with real sheets and blankets tucked in at the bottom. She is way too old and big to be in a crib.

And don't even consider a toddler bed. They are built for kids that are toddlers, she is the age of a pre-schooler. Toddlers are from ages 12 months up to 24 months.

That's all, just that is surprising to me.

As for giving up the nap, she's too young. If you are considering sending her to pre-school in the fall she will be required to nap during the day. They will not let her stay up, she will have to lay on her cot. Even in pre-K they have to take naps and if they don't they just lay there and rest. It is required by the states regulations. Kids under 5 years old are required to have rest time at school. Most schools have requisite nap time after lunch.

I would just let her learn how to put her own blankets over herself. She is just wanting a bit of attention so she does this. I think if she wants it and you are okay with doing it then keep doing it. It gives her comfort. But I would move her baby bad to the side of the room and put at least a full size bed in her room. She will find it wonderful.

I would put her in the big bed then get past her getting used to it, then start working on the not waking up.

My daughter did the same thing till she was 4! We ended up going to childrens hospital because we thought there was somehting wrong. The dr in so many nice words and I hate to admit to this because I truely didn't want to believe it but, it was just a bad habit. We did a sticker chart every morning. SHe got 5 stickers if she slept through the night.

Let me back up for a minute...we did try rewards and such before going to the dr, but for some reason having hte sticker chart idea come from someone else who wasnot her parent made a HUGE inpact on her.

Please don't wait until 4y/o. Act now and get out of the habit!
Good luck!

Hi J.,

Sorry you're going through this, but it does sound like it's just become a habit for her. I suggest you set a day to stop going to her. Talk to her about it and prepare her so she knows it's time to try sleeping through and you can even reward her for doing it if you want.

Whether you do the above or not, I wouldn't go to her anymore. I'm not a CIO-er, but you might be surprised if you just let her be. She'll learn that you're not coming anymore and eventually go back to sleep. You may also want to try more light in her room if she's scared or a lovey. Maybe even music she can turn on or a picture of you on the wall?

Unfortunately, if none of the above works, she may just need you still. A friend of mine as well as my sister have 3 year olds who wake at night. One goes into mom's bed and one mom goes into hers.

Good luck!