It Takes My 2 Year Old Almost an Hour to Fall Asleep!

Maybe her nap runs too late and she isn't sleepy at bedtime. Could you shorten her nap and put her down for her nap a little earlier so she'll be sleepy at night? Or move her bedtime until a little later?

what a blessing that she is not screaming for an hour!! it's wonderful and healthy for her to feel content in her bed, able to entertain herself. maybe the time change has thrown her off, or maybe her nap is lasting too late into the afternoon and she is just sincerely not ready for sleep yet. but if she's a happy girl in her bed i would let her spend some alone time in there and count your blessings!! :o)

I agree with the other posters, I wouldn't worry about it especially since she is happy. Some nights our 23 month old does the same (other nights she goes right to sleep). I will tell you from experience with my six year old, when she was younger we worried about this and put her to bed later - BIG mistake. She would get over-tired and take even longer to fall asleep (and be fussy instead of happy) and then be miserably tred the next day. If she's happy you are doing a great job!

I have twin 18 mos girls and even though they have always slept well, lately they have had trouble going to sleep quickly. I figured out that they were not expending enough energy during the day. So I have been taking them to the park, or chasing the ball outside, even inside. Anything to get them worn out so by 8pm they fall asleep within 15 minutes of getting in bed. Do you have a set routine each night? I find that helps as well.

My daughter did the exact same thing. Sometimes she'd stay up 'til 11pm, just as happy as can be! I asked my pediatrician and she made a few suggestions; wean her off the nightlight - she's seeing too much to go to sleep(we used glow in the dark bracelets to help her with any fear), don't go into the room to check on her once you say goodnight - it just winds her up again, and limit what toys or lovies she has in the bed. We did those things, which helped, but I also think it's kind of a phase. Eventually it stopped and now staying up is an exception to the rule.

I have a 3 year old and she is a night owl. So I know just what you mean. I have found putting her in bed earlier usually helps. Also haveing a consistent routine makes a big difference. I not sure when you may bathe her, but usually a calming bathe, story time and classical calming music before bedtime works wonders. I hope this helps!

My husband and I used to love listening to the monitor when our daughter was younger and she would sing and talk to herself. As long as she's happy and seems to be getting enough sleep. I wouldn't worry about it.

I didn't read all the responses but just wanted to add what my daughters pedi told us. Our daughter would be up talking before going to sleep a while later. He said she was processing the day and if you listen you might get some insight into what she has learned or understands. Absolutely nothing abnormal.

My two-year old does the same thing ... his singing/talking bouts usually last 30-45 minutes. I figure its good alone / unwinding time, though, and I know that he's tired when I put him to bed.

My 2 year old does the same thing, and my 4 year old used to do it as well. We do early bedtimes in our house - between 7 and 7:30 - but even on those unusual occasions when they get to bed late, my 2 year old seems to need some time to unwind and talk or sing to himself after we put him to bed. Since he's not crying or getting out of bed (he's still in a crib), we just let him do it. One thing I've noticed is that since he's learned the words to songs (Twinkle Twinkle, ABCs, etc.), he takes great pleasure in singing them each night by himself. Sometimes I think he's "practicing," and he doesn't know we can hear him!

Be Cautious of vaccines reactions!

I am in the same boat. It takes my 28 month old sometime an hour. Don't worry. It's just their way of calming themselves down.

Daylight savings time change?

I was a bad napper as a child, but my mom insisted that she needed the time without kids. Same thing at night. I told my granddaughter that I learned to whistle while I was supposed to be napping when I was about 4.

When we were older, we were given a set bedtime, but we were allowed to read for a while before lights out.

My mom always believed in very early bed times for us as kids. She also insisted that we all read. I used to do a variety of things when I was in elementary school and wasn't ready for sleep. I'd creep down the hall and stand just where my parents couldn't see me and watch the TV. I also learned to read in bed with only the light reflected off my door from down the hall. (I think this practice probably led to my need for glasses at age 10, but maybe not.)

My brothers shared a room, so they'd fuss with each other at night. Since I was the only girl, I had my own room and had more options.

Learning to be content in your own company is one of the greatest gifts or skills a child can have. Enjoy the adult time together and give thanks that she's learning to enjoy her own company.

How is the temperature in your house/your daughter's room? Too hot? Too cold? Does she eat a good, healthy dinner? Could she be hungry? Are her afternoon naps too long? If so, maybe she isn't tired for bed just yet. Just some thoughts...

You are very fortunate that she isn't crying, and seems to be singing herself to sleep etc.How great! But my thoughts are you may be putting her to bed too early, that her bed time maybe should be moved back a bit.

Our younger daughter (now 30!) used to do that. She also put her feet up on the wall while lying in bed singing and talking to herself -- we figured that out when we saw the line of little footprints! She's always been able to be just fine alone and entertain herself.

If she is not screaming she is okay.
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That is her safe place and she is probably growing in her imagination and this time is so wonderfully peaceful for you both. When she gets older and into her own bed, you will know bedtime is best for stories and conversations about the day and dreams and friends and...

If she is happy in her own bed you are doing everything right. :)

Try reading to her prior to lights off. As long as she's clean/fed, she's okay.

I use to take my son 1 to 2 hours sleep and I changed alot of his patterns and added patterns. Like a nightly bath, a bed time story and soft song and with dim lights. This normally works because it is routine. hope this helps. Deb

My daughter did the same thing around 2 and still does it sometimes. I wouldn't worry about it...I just looked at it as her time to herself to reflect on her day. Think about it, that is her own special time by herself. We all enjoy time by ourselves every once in a while. As long as she happy, I wouldn't change anything. Good luck.