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-   -   My 2 year old won't sleep through the night (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=379172)

  • Jul 23, 2009, 09:33 PM
    megsmom07
    My 2 year old won't sleep through the night
    My daughter use to sleep throughout the night or if she did wake up you could lay her back down now you can't she will not go back to bed she is going to bed about 9:00 every night but that's getting harder to she acts like she is scared in her room now what can I do to help her I know she is not getting enough sleep she is crabby a lot during the day since she's not been sleeping well
  • Jul 23, 2009, 09:39 PM
    mudweiser

    I know most two year olds don't really talk much but what gives you the impression she's scared of her room?
    Has she started watching any Disney movies lately or any new shows? I put The Beauty and the Beast for my daughter [she's two also] and well she was scared the rest of night-- they're very impressionable at this age. Has there been anything that would have frightened your daughter; maybe an argument between parents, an accident, etc?

    Does she take any naps during the day? If so how long are they?


    Sarah
  • Jul 24, 2009, 04:50 AM
    N0help4u

    Also how active is she during the day?
    The evening? Ny evening she should be more settled and calming down from the day. If she is too active after 6 or 7 she could be too wound and hyper to calm enough to get to sleep

    Kids sleeping habits do change through the years. For now you might let her stay up until 10 and switch her back before she is really aware of time. Once a kid KNOWS what their bedtime is it is harder to get them to go to bed earlier. Don't say 9:00 bedtime or 10:00 bed time then they hold that against you when you do want to change their bedtime.
    Try getting her wore out through the day with play. Then put her to bed at 10 then when you feel you might be able to get her to sleep earlier put it to 9:45 then eventually 9:30 and work your way back to 9:00

    When my 1st was born she slept from midnight to 6 am NO nap for a couple yrs then she started sleeping better. Then by middle school she slept a lot and her sister who had been sleeping in late started being an early riser. So they do change sleeping habits.

    When you put them to bed earlier than they are tired they seem to toss and turn and end up falling asleep a lot later than they would have if you put them to bed a little later.

    Also you might try giving her a cup of warm milk and a real light snack right before bed.
  • Jul 24, 2009, 01:31 PM
    Chey5782
    Try shortening her nap time and see if that helps. Also lavender is great for relaxing a child. Johnson & Johnson's makes a bed time bath soap that is great for children's aromatherapy.

    Children differ, but the one thing that seems to remain is being constant with them. Routine is a HUGE deal with children this small. If you don't currently have a routine, start thinking about making one. Bath time then book time before bed time was huge in my house when my kids were small. We took everything sweet away at dinner so they got nothing sugar into their system after and that helped too.

    Try a few days of shorter naps and a lot more down time before bed, it probably won't be very fun, but it might help settle her back into a good sleep pattern.

    Also be aware that a growth spurt can disrupt a child's sleep pattern, not always but it's enough sometimes to become noticeable. Hopefully some of this will help you. I know how frustrating it can be when you can't figure out what's different for your child.
  • Jul 25, 2009, 02:56 PM
    megsmom07
    She dose not take a nap during the day at all and when I ask her if she's scared she says yes. Usually when you ask her a question she will answer you and knows what your talking about and she watches elmo and sesame street that's it and me and her dad do not argue when she is home and no accidents
  • Jul 25, 2009, 03:05 PM
    Chey5782
    What about a new night light? My mom got a bottle of "monster spray" that turned out to be a water bottle. She sprayed it all over my little brothers bedroom when he had that issue. It worked for him. Is she sleeping in a crib or a toddler bed now?
  • Jul 25, 2009, 03:08 PM
    jenniepepsi

    I agree with all of the above.

    When my daughter was 2, she wouldn't sleep at night. And didn't until I cut her naps out of the day (and she hasn't had a nap since)

    Also what is she doing before bed? Watching TV? Playing all the way up till bed time?

    And what is your routine like.

    A firm routine may help. (im not preaching, every child is different, and this may or may not work for your child) every night at the same time (perhaps an hour before bedtime) give her bath, get jammies on, have a light snack if this is what you do, brush teeth, go potty, climb in bed, read a story, and go to sleep.

    This is what works for me. When my duaghter was under 2, she would watch movies until she fell asleep, and that wasn't until HOURS later at 11pm! Then my doctor told me that the movie keeps her stimulated, rather than calming her down.

    Good luck hon. :) this is what helped for my daughter and still does now (she is 5 now) I hope it works for you. And sorry if you have already tried this and I misunderstood
  • Jul 28, 2009, 08:59 AM
    megsmom07

    I have a lot of scooby doo stuffed animals I took them out of her room we are changing her schedule she will still eat at 5:00pm go for our mile walk she rides in the stroller get a bath and were going to sit in her room to put her in her pjs and I will try the monster spray I never thought of that then read a book ant to bed she will go lets just home she stays there I will let you all knowhow its going
  • Jul 28, 2009, 09:00 AM
    N0help4u

    You could try getting some lavender aroma therapy scents too. They are suppose to be good for a calming atmosphere.
  • Jul 28, 2009, 09:06 AM
    Chey5782
    That sounds awesome! Thank you for updating us, I hope it works!

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