My 2 1/2 year old suddenly is protesting sleep. Overall, until recently she had been a pretty good sleeper. Now, despite being exhausted she will fight sleep. We moved her to a toddler bed about 2 months ago primarily because she had outgrown her crib. Well, she outgrew the small toddler bed as well. So, we moved an extra queen size mattress we had stored in the basement upstairs for her. I decked her very "large" bed with cozy blankets and pillows. I also made sure to have all of her favorite stuffed animals placed on the bed as well. She wasn't sleeping great in the toddler bed to begin with but the switch to the mattress just compounded matters. Now she insists that either my husband or myself cuddle with her in bed. She is despondent at times when we try telling her that cuddle time is over and it is time to go to sleep. I have tried sleeping with her for comfort but when I do we both don't sleep well. She has a really hard time winding down when I attempt to sleep in bed with her. We would invite her back to our room to sleep in our bedroom with us but her baby sister sleeps in that room and she can be so fitfull and loud that it wakes the baby. I know a lot of this comes from having some separation anxiety which apparently happens around this time but I could use some sanity saving tips because I am being stretched thin trying to comfort both children at night. I have tried aromatherapy, sound machines, comfort objects, role playing, directing her quietly right back into bed, singing, and cuddling. She has been expressing a lot of fear towards things lately as well. So, I think the separation anxiety ties into that. If any of you has sage advice or just want to commiserate I look forward to hearing from you.
I'm just here to commiserate. My 2 year old was a rock star sleeper. 4 months ago she started climbing out of her crib, and the new bed is just not working well at all. Even with the same routine, same animals, same everything...she ends up in our room most nights. It is very frustrating, I agree. I just repeat in the back of my mind that 'everything is temporary.'
I wish you luck and patience!
My son is 26mos and fortunately I haven't had a problem. From what I've read and done myself - a routine is the key! Does she have a daily routine? Does she have a nap during the day - if so you want to make it in the early afternoon to avoid it running into the late afternoon/evening. Maybe a warm bath before bed and a story time? Just keep at it and don't give in changing your routine everytime she wimpers about going to bed. You have to be the strong one to stay on track so that she can feel comfortable that things aren't going to keep changing. The change in bed(s) also probably is contributing to some of this.
Best wishes,
C.~
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Dont have a magic answer for you- just some support. My 2.5 year old is the same way and we also have an infant. Yes I stick to a routine, yes we lay down with her sometimes.. and she still has an issue-- she hates going to bed. We have just kept to once she's in bed she has to stay there and eventually- about an hour she does go to sleep.. and usually will sleep all night- but sometimes she does wake up at night and my husband goes in there and sleeps in her room.. all I can say is know that you are not alone and that one day you will sleep again-- at least that is what I keep telling myself! The one but I would put there is with another baby-- are you spending enough time with her? That has been an issue with our daughter- so we have needed to have outings or activities with just the two of us. That does seem to help. Good Luck!
I agree that a routine is key. I always had a set, predictable routine for my kids and my kids thrived. I even had friends wonder why my kids actually stayed in bed when I put them there at night. They went right to sleep with no up and down incidences. It may take a while but the key is consistency. Doing the same thing over and over will get you the results you desire. Kids already know this one. Good luck and just hang in there.
