Toddler Waking at Night and Taking Hrs to Go Back to Sleep

You might have to try a few nights of ignoring her. Pick her up and put her back to bed, no comforting, no changing her diaper etc. explaing to her once that night time is for sleeping tell her you love her and leave her in her room and put a gate up in her doorway. It's going to be hard and no one will sleep for a while. But it's better not to draw any attention to her or give her any comforting during that time. Little ones can sense the new baby and this is her way of getting extra attention. Make sure that she gets lots of hugs and kisses during the day time. And remind her every night during story time that night time is for sleeping. Maybe you could offer to take her somewehre special, just her and mommy or daddy or give her a special prize for staying in her bed. Temporary tattoos are big in our house and so is McDonalds so we always break those out. Good Luck, I know how hard it is with a newborn and a 2 year old! We're having our own set of issues and it's great to get advice from other moms :)

I disagree that your daughter should be put back in her crib or on the floor in your room. You have already made the tough transition to a "big girl bed" and I wouldn't lose ground on that now. I am still pregnant with our second child, so I can't speak from experience on the effects of a little brother or sister, but I can say that our daughter has been sleeping in a big girl bed (on a frame with a rail) since she was two and I beleive that kids can be ready to be out of a crib by then (some need to be because they crawl out like our daughter) and putting everyone in your room sounds like a formula for no sleep for anyone! Our daughter also has gone through bouts where she will get out of bed and come to our room in the night. From what I have read, it is normal for little ones to wake in the middle of the night as part of their natural sleep rhythm, and she may hear you up with the baby, or know that you will be up. She also may just want the attention. Either way, we have dealt with this a number of ways, first, but setting expectations with our daughter when we put her to bed - something like "good night, you need to stay in your bed, even if you wake up, just lay here and close your eyes until you feel sleepy again". If she does come to our room we do exactly what the other mom said, we quickly get up, without speaking, and shuttle her back to her room with minimal interaction, put her back in her bed tuck her in, and say goodnight- again telling her we expect her to stay in her bed. Hopefully this is just a phase. We have put a blue bulbed nightlight in her room, and sometimes played soft music for her overnight because when I was able to talk with her during the day about why she got up she said it was because she was scared in the dark, or because she heard a noise. Eventually she learned that she wasn't going to get attention in the middle of the night, and now is back to staying in her own bed (most of the time)! Good luck!

put her back in the crib.

she is too young for the freedom of the big girl bed.. we didnt move my daughter until she was 3 1/2 and she stays in her bed except for an occassional event where she needs to see momma at 3 or 4 am.. but she is just looking for comfort not wanting to be awake.. because seh is old enough to know that nighttime isfor sleeping..

Hi N.,
Just a thought, when I moved my 2 year old to a big boy bed I took his door off and put a gate up. He can see and hear me, but he knows he can't get out. And now he's use to it. I don't have to worry at nap time either. I feel much better sleeping at night knowing he can't hurt himself or get hurt.

T.

I'd let both babies sleep in my room, next to my bed.
She definitely needs you guys during the night, especially with the new baby.

have you tried shortening her naps so shes more tired at night?

Hello N..
There is a site "Child sleep Center" with Dana Obleman that I have found to be helpful when it comes to sleep questions. I have gotten info from it that has helped. You don't have to buy the program unless you want to. Give it a try it may help.
It's called "The Sleep Sense Program"
www.sleepsense.net

I hope it helps you. We all need our precious sleep. Moms and Dads included.