Why does my 18 month old have sleep problems?

Question

My daughter, while never the greatest sleeper, is sleeping horribly lately. She is healthy and fairly even-tempered, and I have always been very consistent with how we handle sleep. Bathtime tends to "rev" her up, so I bathe her early, and we spend about an hour doing quiet activities, including reading and listening to soft music. She cuddles with her lovey and off she falls asleep on her own, in her crib...only to wake up now two, three, or four times a night fuss crying.

She isn't in pain, that I can tell...no new teeth or anything, and she falls back to sleep in about 20 minutes. Unless I am unsure about how she feels I don't go in to her. But her sleep is so broken up, and she has been cranky because of this during the day. She also used to nap for an hour and a half, and now I'm lucky to get 1/2 an hour.....same routine (but shortened) for naptime, and she wakes up crying and won't calm down.

Bed/nap times are normal for a toddler...I just need suggestions on what to do!

Answer 1

at 18 months i'd stick her in a toddler bed. she may feel trapped or too big for the bed. if you dont have a toddler bed try a pack n play for a while my daughter slept in the pack n play for a few months and we tried the toddler bed a month before she turned 2 and she is doing wonderfully with it...

good luck!!

Answer 2

My son is 18 months.  He is sleeping less, but doesn't have the severity of problems you are experiencing.

My answer:  Your kid is getting their 2 year molars in.  That is my son's problem.  You can't see them or feel them - but they are going to erupt and it is hurting your child's mouth keeping her awake.

I would try Tylenol, teething drops (Target) and or teething tablets (walmart).  It couldn't hurt anyway.

Answer 3

maybe she's getting to big or uncomfortable for her crib.

try getting her a toddler bed, she might be ready for it.

or maybe she needs a shorter or no nap.

it could also just be a phase and it will stop in a week or something

good luck!