My 2 year old daughter has recently developed a fear of the dark, so I bought her a nightlight to keep in her room. But now instead of going to sleep, she stays up for hours playing! If I take the nightlight away, she flips out. I even tried keeping the hall light on for her instead, but that didn't work. And now since she stays up so late, it is hard for me to get her up on time in the mornings, and she's always super cranky when she gets up. I'm out of ideas, so if anyone has any new suggestions I would appreciate them!!
Could the night light be too bright? Is there a way to put all of the toys and everything out of sight when she goes to bed? Also, a warm bath before bed is soothing, even for grown up mamas.
Could you try a night light that is not as bright? I had to switch to a different one also because my first was too bright. The one that works for us casts a bluish light. It was one of those long lasting bulbs that lasts thousands of hours. It was inexpensive and in the regular light bulb aisle at Target. We got it many months ago and it is still going strong. The light level is perfect for my toddler.
What about installing a light dimmer switch in the room. THey are fairly cheap and easy to install.
We use an LED nightlight in my daughter's room; it's not as bright as regular ones but it gives off enough light to keep the scaries away. :)
Try a darker nightlight. We have an led one that you can pick different colors or let it rotate through all of the colors (which might hypnotize her to sleep)It is darkness activated as well...
I think my hubby got them at homedepot or lowes.
Anyway the blue and white are the brightest so when I want a nightlight on but darker, I set it to purple or red. There is still light but not bright playtime brightness.
I just went and looked at one and it says MEGABRITE on the front.
http://www.amazon.com/Megabrite-Color-Changing-Night-Sens...
You can google it to find the best price.
Did you get one of the little lamps with Dora or something on them? We got one for my daughter (4) and it put off so much light that she stayed up playing, too. We just got one of the smaller night lights (I think it takes a 5 watt bulb??? One of the tiny ones) and it seems to have made a difference. They have some cute ones in the hardware dept at WalMart. At one point, I also told my daughter that if she didn't sleep like a big girl I was going to have to take away her big girl night light. It seemed to work for a while...
My nephew took his crib toy, one that lights up and makes music, from his crib to his big bed and still uses it to go to sleep at 4 years old. My 2 year old recently saw the one we got for our baby and he fell in love with it...my SIL gave him an old one and now he goes to bed with his "fishies" evey night. He can press the button himself and it will play music and has a little light show and the fishes move. He will fall asleep in bed watching the show and it gives him a little extra light if he needs it. Here is a link to the fisher price one.
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=2341&e=detail&...
I know it sounds a bit babyish, but if it works it is worth it! Also, try moving her bedtime up if you can...then she'll have more time to play without missing as much sleep. Give it a week or two and the night playing may lose it's appeal. Good luck.
Our best solution to this problem has been the purchase of a "Glade Plug-in scented oil light show" If you have not seen it, it should be in the isle where all of the fragrance products are sold. I do not put the scented oil in as it is too strong, but the light is very dim, and it changes colors, We put it close to the wall so that my daughter can see it reflect on the wall some. That has helped, because she can only see it when she is laying in her bed, and it kind of luls her to sleep I think. Maybe it is hypnotic:) LOL! It has really helped us out! Good luck, and ohh, keep a check on her naps too, it may be that she is needing to change her schedule, even not napping or going to bed as early as she used to. That could affect her ability to get to bed at night too. ~A.~
Mine just started with the nightlight too. We were having a little bit of a hard time getting her down at first, but then we moved her bedtime back 1-1.5 hours. It used to be 8 or 8:30... Now it is about 9:30. We are also spending more time with her this last hour - trying to wear her out. We take some family time to play hide and seek or chase around the house & fun active things like that. Then we will sit on the couch and watch a few minutes of something that is NOT too entertaining for her. She starts to show signs of being tired & we kinda say.... OH' I'm tired... are you ready to go to bed & then put her to bed then. It's working great & she's sleeping well.
Hmm .. I understand that she flips out if you take away the nightlight .. but do you tell her if she gets out of bed .. that taking away the night light could be the consequence? Obviously reasoning with a 2.5 year old - isn't easy or always understood. But, IMO, she should understand there's a consequence of getting out of her bed and playing.
Really, rather than taking away her light - continue to teach her to NOT get out of bed ... until the 'afraid of the dark' issue started .. was she staying in her bed fine? Perhaps something else upset her and that's why she just started needing light?!?
Like the other response - just try and find another light that just isn't as bright .. or perhaps use an outlet in a different spot in her room?
Hope that she gets some much needed rest! :-)
maybe the nightlight is just a novelty, and she'll start sleeping soon. or try one that is more dim and less fun.
