Advice on 2 1/2 Yr Old NOT Sleeping!

This might sound crazy, but I would try transitioning her to a toddler bed. Sometimes the change in situation can help whatever is going on for her. You can talk about her needing to be a big girl, and that she has to go to sleep quietly to get a big girl bed, then give it a try. We actually took a twin mattress and put it on the floor for my son. Worked well, and he actually started sleeping better once on the floor. (He used to wake at least once every night crying...).

T.
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www.ReadandGrow.com

very first thing that comes to mind is ear infection. maybe take her in and get her ears checked. :) good luck!

I'm wondering..do you have her on a sleep schedule/routine? You say that she was able to put herself to sleep but maybe with a new routine she can get back into the habit of soothing herself to sleep.here are some possible ideas that may help:

http://www.theskinnyscoop.com/search/sleep?utm_campaign=t...

We actually just went through the same thing with our 2.5 year old. We actually changed up bedtime routine a bit (rocking with a blanket and a stuffed animal after books instead of straight to bed) and also would lay her down and tell her it was time to rest and be quiet (I usually tell her a little made up story about a girl with her name, basically I talk through her day in story form). After that I tell her goodnight and that if she is a good girl and stays quiet I will stand in her room for a few minutes. I count out 2-3 minutes in my head and then leave and it's worked so well. She seems to get a little extra security out of me standing there for a bit and can relax instead of getting upset. I used to do it for close to 5 minutes and now on a busy night I can often stand for only 30 seconds to a minute and it works. Hope you figure something out soon! It's no fun to have interrupted sleep again after your kiddo has been sleeping well!

I would start NOT indulging her. Go in, tuck her in with hugs and kisses, walk away. It'll take some doing, but nip this in the bud now. Otherwise she will 'get it' that a little scream gets mom or dad there which turns out to be a control issue. This isn't just about her needs, but about everyone else's too.

As kids get around 3-4, their imaginations become very vivid but they can't tell what's real and what's not, so they often have terrors, especially at night. This may go on for a long time or be sporadic. Comfort, talking, giving her items which she finds comforting may help. My granddaughter had a toy that her mom had recorded a message into but sometimes she still came into her bed. I'm surprised she isn't climbing out of her crib at this age. If she is, you can just put the side down and use a nursery monitor to alert you if she gets out. This is why a lot of little ones end up sleeping in mom & dad's bed. Sleep becomes very important!

There's a GREAT book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc (somebody, I can't recall his last name, but that's the title)--that addresses this issue. From what I've learned by reading (and re-reading) his book, when children become overtired, this can occur. Is your daughter still napping? Around this age, a child will tend to 'give up' their naps, and then 'poof' they begin to have sleep problems. If she's not napping anymore, you may need to move up her bedtime to earlier in the evening to 'make up' for the lost sleep during the day. I know it sounds weird, but I tried it w/ my two kids, and it worked! The book explains why, so I would highly recommend getting a copy! Good luck!

When my son started having issues sleeping in his crib, I transitioned him to a toddler bed. Granted, he was a LOT younger than 2.5 (no way could I have had him in a crib at 2.5) but perhaps it's time to let her grow up and get out of the crib.

I was worried that he'd fall out, so I had it butt up against the wall, so he could only fall out on 1 side. His room was carpeted, and I remember waking up one morning to find him on the floor. He never woke up when he rolled out of bed.

But the old saying "they'll only do it once" is accurate. He fell out once, and never again. He was only in his toddler bed for about a year (about 18 months to 2.5) and then he went into a twin bed. He started having troubles sleeping again, and once he was switched to the softer - more comfortable - mattress, he sleeps wonderfully now.

He'll be 4 soon.

I hope you find a way to get some much deserved sleep!!

My son is 2 1/2 and we are going through the same thing! He goes to bed just fine but wakes up anywhere from 4-6 am crying. Before this, he was sleeping until 9 or 10 in the morning! I am wondering about going to a big bed too as I have never let him crying for long periods of time. He is genuinely upset! I would stay with him her and give her the support she needs to get though whatever it is she is going through (growth spurt, cognitive advancement, ect...these can be scary for a young child!). Also, if it doesn't pass consider a bigger bed or other change. I am thinking of putting my son's boppy in his crib since he seems to like to snuggle with me and maybe that might help? Trial and error!!lol