My almost-2-year-old takes forever to fall asleep at night?

Question

My daughter has been falling asleep on her own since she was 11 weeks, but ever since she was about 1 1/2, when we put her in her crib at night (after stories and songs, and she's definitely sleepy), after we leave the room, she starts singing and talking to herself, sometimes for more than an hour! I put her down around 6:30-7, but have pushed it later, and the same thing happens (and she ends up not falling asleep until 9... too late and she's super cranky the next day). Does anyone else have this problem? She's only napping once a day, for about 1-1/2 - 2 hours, and once she's asleep she sleeps through the night, no problem. Am I just inventing a problem? Didn't know if anyone had any tips. My pediatrician said to try playing soft music in the background, but that's just fuel for the fire, if you ask me.

Answer 1

I think these ladies have the right idea. Let her tire herself out.

I do ahve a couple of questions that I see were not asked.

How bright is it in the room? Is there a night light and is it powerful?

If you turn off all lights does she go to sleep faster or does she cry?

How often do you go i there? If you constantly go in there, to lay her down, to give her a bottle, to check on her, to attend to her if she cries, she knows this and will do everything she can to get you to come in and see her.

Be thankful is is giggling and singing. Lie in your bed and listen to the sweet sounds of a child having fun. It's what I do with my boys.

We try to get our children to grow up way too fast. Let them be little.

Answer 2

If she's not crying or anything then let her play and talk to herself until she falls asleep. She will be fine, when she's tired she will sleep. My daughter only take one nap a day and sleeps through the night too. She 16 months and she also sometimes talks to herself before bed. But I do play the music and I think it does help her to fall asleep too.

Also mine goes to bed at 8 every night so maybe just try pushing it at 8? She just might not be tired yet.

Answer 3

Try 8 as a bed time.

Answer 4

I have been listening to my son (22 months) babble, giggle, and kick for the past hour. Like you, I have experimented with different bedtimes, and nothing seems to change. Later bedtimes actually seem to make it worse, almost like he is too tired to fall asleep then and fights it even harder. It is so frustrating, but I try to remember that he is doing it because he's happy and enjoys all the new things he is learning, seeing, doing, etc. I guess they just don't want to give up and go to sleep because they might miss something.

I am sorry I really don' t have an answer to your question, but I did want you to know you are not alone in this. As long as they are safe and not screaming, I guess we should just be thankful they sleep through the night and take a nap during the day!  

Answer 5

If 6:30-7 is not too early, then keep it up, and allow her to sing or play for an hour. She's most likely learning to fall asleep on her own, so that's a great thing! If she seems a bit cranky, you can play around with nap time a bit, too. Try waking her 5 mins earlier for a few days to train her to not sleep as long, that way she's more apt to fall asleep faster at night. Hey, I'd be thrilled if my son stayed in his bed until ready to fall asleep!