Toddler Not Going to Sleep

This is common in someone your daughter's age, but it could definitely have been brought on now by the addition of the new baby. While the "easy way" to get her to go to sleep, is to have your husband lay down with her, this isn't going to help her fall asleep on her own or give her any way to handle waking up in the middle of the night.

Also, it will be harder for her to handle things if the new baby is in your room - how come everyone gets to sleep together but me? I'm not saying to change this if he is, I'm just throwing kid logic out there.

I think your husband should read her a story and then tell her he's going to pat her back while she falls asleep. He can tell her that mommy and daddy are right here, we're not going anywhere, but that she needs to sleep in her bed and he needs to sleep in his. Work out a system, and be consistent. (it will take awhile) I do like the idea of putting a sleeping bag in your room. You can tell her if she wakes up in the middle of the night that it's ok to come into your room and curl up in the sleeping bag, but that you don't want her to wake you up. (just don't have the sleeping bag where you can step on her)

Yes, she wants more attention. It is hard having been the only - though very good for her, too. So, make time during the day and evening for her to have special daddy or mommy time. Cuddle with her, sing to her, reminisce about times when she was a newborn and how much you loved her, etc. And start to build up affection between her and the baby. No matter what the baby does - 'oh, look, he is waving at you!' 'oh, look, he turned when he heard your voice. he loves you!' The best advice I got when expecting my second was this: When the baby and she cry during the day, let the baby cry and tend to her - she has to 'wait a minute honey' a lot - it can't be all the time.

And then set limits - she has to stay in her own bed and daddy is not sleeping there. Daddy sleeps with Mommy. She wants healthy boundaries and limits, too.

I feel like I wrote your post.

When my daughter was born, my son went off the deep end. Everything he was usually so good at, suddenly became a nightmare. Bedtime, mealtimes, etc. It took a good 2 months to get him adjusted to the new baby, and now he's totally back to normal. Give her some more time. You're handling it well, but just be careful with the sleeping situation. Unless my son isn't feeling well, we do not sleep in his room, and he is not to sleep in ours. Creating that kind of habit can last for a long time and it's hard to break.

Give her some more time and just be patient. It's hard for these little ones to share the spotlight. Congratulations on the new baby!
Lynsey

This was typical behavior for our son around the same age. He was much younger (21 months) when his sister was born, so I don't believe that was the correlation.

In your case it's possible it is, but I'd gather it has more to do with her age, her awareness of what's going on around here, etc.

We have the same struggles every night. Our son is now 3.5, and he seldom goes to sleep on his own. He's slept on his own (for the first time ever) the past 3 nights after we bribed him with a special toy he really wants.

Our way of dealing with it (to prevent the crying and drama) has been to read to him, let him fall asleep with one of us, and move when he's asleep. My MIL suggested putting a sleeping bag in our room for him to crawl into when he's waking-up in the middle of the night so he feels like he has a safe place to be and disturbs as many people as possible.

Good luck. It will eventually get better.