Sleep issues?

Question

My 22 month old daughter is severely fighting bedtime. I have been going in every 3, 5 then 10 minutes, calming her down and leaving the room and that was working, but now she can climb out of her crib. Big girl bed right? HOW??? She gets hyper and jumps all around the bed. Tonight she hit her head really hard on the headboard so I let her out of bed to watch her for an hour or two to make sure she is ok before trying again. Now here we go again, I lay her down, tuck her in, she says night-night then as soon as I leave the room she's up and goes downstairs.

How long does this take? It seems to be a game for her.

She wont sleep with me, I never co-slept so she thinks its play time.

Help! Im exhausted! Its 1:30 in the morning and she's wide awake!

Answer 1

I would def. think about changing her nap time, either shorter or at a different time. Also you might want to more bedtime earlier. It sounds crazy I know, but overtired children tend to get hyper, just the opposite of adults. In fact there is new research that says a lot of ADHD kids actually have sleep apnea and are overtired.  If she is climbing out of the crib, you really should move her to a bed or put her mattress on the floor, it is much safer. Take all of her toys and books out of her room, if you have any in there. I would set up a bedtime routine if you don't already have one. What worked for us:

starting about 1/2 hour before bedtime we gave the kids a warm lavendar bubble bath, then we got them in their pj's and then sit with them in a darkend room(we use room darkening celluar shades on the windows for summertime) and read a story, say prayers, say goodnight with hugs and kisses, then close the door and leave the room. (if she can open the door use a childproof handle cover) We don't go back in. If she gets out of bed just ignore her. If there is nothing in the room to occupy her then eventually she will get tired and eventually fall asleep. For the first few nights you may have to go in and pick her up off the floor and back in the bed, or not, my son slept on the floor a few night and realized that his bed was more comfortable so he didn't get out again.  

I hope this helps, I know it is hard to have a child who doesn't sleep well. My youngest has always been a difficult sleeper. If you are consistant than eventually she will get the point. It might take as long as a week, but probably less. The first and second night will be the worst, but once they get the hang of it, they usually have no problems.

Heather

Answer 2

What about shortening her nap times, and putting her to bed a little later.  

My son was similar.  

We shifted his naptime to be earlier.  And about an hour before bedtime we had quite time so they calm down.

Dim the lights, put all toys away and read them a story along with some milk, do this an hour before so they have some wind down time.

Then when it comes to bedtime, do your usual routine and place them in bed.  The first time they get up, be reassuring but not negotiating and place them back in bed.

The second time they get  up, use a stern voice and simply tell them to go to bed and guide them back to bed.

The third and consecutive times, do not speak just guide them back to bed.  Do not talk to them at all.

It may take a few nights but she will settle into the routine.  

It took my son 3 nights of this before he finally got into the routine.  Now he sleeps 12 hours and when he is being baby sat by anyone, shows them the routine, he is 24months.

Answer 3

Sometimes when things change like a new bed or stress they act out in their sleep routines. When we moved and our sleeping arrangements changed my daughter was having a tough time getting to sleep, staying asleep, then she had night terrors. I wasn't going to bed until 4am some nights, It was horrible.

You can try limited things that make a kid hyper(no chocolate, soda, caffeine ect.). Try a warm glass of milk. A little benadryl will help falling asleep and staying asleep. But you have to be careful because sometimes it will do the opposite. Keep the tv off. Dim all lights. Soothing soft music. Also try a soothing warm bath before bed with chamomile or lavender. And a nice body massage with chamomile/lavender lotion.

You also want to stick to a strict night time routine for awhile. Even add some more things to her nightly routine like a night time snack, teeth brushing, washing hands and feet, dimming the light, reading several stories, and sitting beside her for 15-20 mins.

I do have to recommend a fantastic book: The No-Cry Sleep solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers. It's worth it's weight in gold :)

Good Luck.