How can I get my little girl to sleep?

Question

I have a little girl about to turn 2 years old that refuses to ever go to

sleep. Night after night its 4-5am before she will go to bed. I have tried

everything to make her go to sleep but nothing works. I have taken her to 3

different Dr's to find out why but they said thres nothing they can find

out. I dont know how much longer I can go with such little sleep due to my

other kids waking up by 7am. And her waking back up by 8am.

Anyone have any advice on what I can do or try to get this kid to sleep

more and to go to bed sooner????

All day outside playing running around and all that.

Nothing seems to work. Its like she thinks shes gonna miss out on something. And

once she does actually does go to bed it is in her own bed. But until she does go to sleep she does nothing but screams

Answer 1

Ok... Here's my suggestion.... control cry. I know you'll say you have done it before but here's how you do it CORRECTLY.

You might wish to make arrangements with other family members... husband to look after the other child etc.... but I think it's worth doing it.

1) do your routine. Read some books before bed. Tell your child after reading the 5th book (or whatever the last book is) she will go to sleep. NO TV AFTER 7PM.

2) put her to bed. she'll walk out or scream. You pick her up, carry her back to the room. Look at her and STAY CALM. You tell her calmly she needs to sleep. it's ok to stay in bed and play quietly but she needs to stay there. (which will give you the break eventually whether she sleeps or not!)

3) she will walk out and scream again. You pick her up again and AVOID eye contact this time. You say "it's time for bed. I love you very much and see you tomorrow morning".

4) she will probably do it again. Then this time you don't say anything and no eye contact either. Just pick her up and put her back gently in bed. BE CONSISTANT. DO NOT GIVE UP.

5) repeat step 4 for several times until she gets the message that she has to STAY IN BED (BE QUIET) whether she wants to sleep or not!

6) remain calm and keep cool and most importantly CONFIDENT at all times. You will you will win this battle, not her!!!!!!

Trust me, it really works.... My daughter stays in bed even though she doesn't feel sleepy. I started training when she was very young therefore makes it easier but at the age of 3 it is NOT undoable.... don't give it. Please try this again and hope it works for you.

By the way, Just a matter of interest, is your daughter sleeping during the day (at daycare? or home??) If you can try to limit the afternoon nap hours to 1 hr and avoid putting her to bed after 330pm.

NO TV... REMEMBER.... TV IS BAD FOR KIDS before bed time. Try quiet play or story time if you have the energy.

Good luck to you.

p.s. all day running might over stimulate your child. try just normal amount of activity. Running around in the mornings is fine but in the afternoon try quiet activities like craft or playdoh etc.

Answer 2

The only thing you can do is let her cry herself to sleep. Don't get her out of bed, just let her lay there and cry. She probably is aware that she picks her bed time and no one else. So you have to break her of this. Does she sleep in a crib? If not that could be a problem also. Doctors recommend not moving your child into a toddler bed until age 3 to 4. They are not aware of the invisible boundaries before then. Also, set a bed time routine. Give her a warm bath with Lavender bath soap, cause it's known for it's calming technique. Then read her a story and tuck her in. If she cries, let her. After a few nights of this, she will eventually be able to sleep without crying. Just whatever you do, once you lay her down, keep her that way. Don't go into her room or open the door. Hope this helped.

Answer 3

Maybe a night light. Don't give up, you will make it. You have one of the hardest job on this earth...

Answer 4

dont make her sleep during the day. try and see to that she is not hungry. read a book to her. or on some soothing music. or take her for a car ride.

Answer 5

you need to lay down the law that its time to go to bed. if not when she gets older the might control you rather than you controlling her and she just might take advantage of you so yeah i know you probably did these things before but I'm just gonna say it anyway just in case you didn't. try some warm milk and soft soothing music while she is drinking it and listening to music try to rock her to sleep idk hope this helped in a way but do anything that you can think of to get her to sleep

Answer 6

The three most important rules of bedtime: routine, routine, routine.

A number of other folks have provided routines in their answers - and some good ones - but the most important thing is that you find a routine that's predictable, deliberate, calm and nurturing.  Your little one will then start to recognize the signs of bedtime when the process starts, not when it's ending - and will begin to prepare herself for bed.  

One thing the other folks haven't cued on - is the fact that you have other kids!  Naturally, having other kids in the mix makes a 1-on-1 bedtime routine harder.  But it also may be the key to your issue - my guess is that your little one only gets true, undivided 1-on-1 time after the other kids are in bed - while she should be sleeping herself.  Maybe that's the issue.  Maybe she's longing for some real solo time with Mom or Dad.

If this is the case, it may help to rethink the issue.  A process with these elements may help:

1) Provide her with some great 1-on-1 time just prior to a new calm bedtime routine

2) Make the new bedtime routine brief, but deliberate and loving.  

3) Then take the tough line that she isn't allowed out of bed and won't get any attention once she's put into bed for the night.

The bottom line about this type of behavior is that your little girl is seeking your attention - and this is the best solution she's found.  And when little ones seek attention in this negative way, its usually because they need it.  So provide her with the attention she needs before she begs for it - and then use a structure that shows she won't get it when she shouldn't.

So by doing this special time first followed by the tough-love bed rules, you'll not only ease your own anxieties about taking a hard stance and reinforce your own patience with her, but you'll also have the wherewithal to hold the 'tough' line about bedtime.

One last thing - expect her to love special time, but resist the heck out of the bedtime rules.  Just keep your chin up - and she'll hopefully start to conform pretty quickly.  And remember, your goal is to get her to comply with the bedtime rules - compliance is your objective, so your main job is to teach her how to 'comply' with your house rules.  The special time routine just removes the barrier to her ability to comply, so it helps you teach her what she needs to do.

Hope this helps!