hello all,
I have a question...I have a 22 month old who goes to bed at 8pm and up around 7:45 am (12 hours) she naps from 1:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon. Recently she is still sleeping the same times but the sleep is very restless at night and she seems to be constantly tired during the day. sheis having what I call "tired tantrums" a lot and she has horrible bags under her eyes. Not sure what is going on but has anyone else experienced this around this age? her sleep environment is the same, she sleeps in a crib still with a few small blankets that she cuddles and a heavy sleeper since its been colder out. we keep the house a consistent 72 degrees. I am going nutty trying to figure it out!
she was extremely sick (in hospital for flu) about 4 weeks ago and just hasnt been right since..at first I attributed it to being off her schedule and cuddled alot but I have been much more strict the past few weeks. She used to go to bed at 7:30 and nap 12:30 to 3:30. maybe I will try to go back to that and see what happens. thank you all for your responses!
make her bedtime earlier, the time change probably is messing her up. I would move her bedtime to 7:30, and move her nap earlier, to 12:30 or even 12. I bet she will still sleep in till 7:45 and still nap till 3 pm.
You are SO SMART to realize that she needs more sleep - good job!!
Our pediatrician that we had when our kids were little told us not to keep the house that hot. I would lower the temperature at least some at night if you keep it at 72 degrees. If she is in pajamas that are warm enough she would be better to have the cooler air. We were told it keeps people from less sinus issues, etc. Maybe they've changed it now but if you notice hospitals, doctors offices, etc. are much cooler. Try it and see if it helps her night time sleeping.
Yes, we had this problem at around the same age when my daughter started talking a lot more. I've read that with any big developmental change, sleep suffers for a while. So it could be that she is gearing up for a big developmental leap. Or she might be starting to have vivid dreams that disrupt her sleep. Probably just a phase and will work itself out.
Hi L.. Some thoughts:
1. IS there a change in her life: daycare? pre-school? More walking etc?
2. Maybe she needs to go to sleep a bit earlier. I would even try for a 12 or 1230 nap and then a 7 or 730 bedtime and see what happens.
3. maybe she is fighting a virus?
4. maybe the winter hours affects her body clock and she needs that earlier bedtime.
hope this helps. you are a great momma for caring and asking.
jilly
P.S. Especialy if your LO is going through changes etc, I would perhaps keep cuddles in ...even for no particular reason. They are always calming.
Added with love....
Sleep is frustrating bc so many things disrupt it. Could she be getting molars? They come in around now and since they r set back you can miss them at first before they fully erupt. Best of luck!!
It's a wonder period. Soon she will be doing lots of cool new things (like talking in sentences, jumping, galloping, etc.)
Usually they get clingy around 18/19 months, and then around 21 months sleep goes to pot. Around 23 months they settle down and do new tricks ;-)
Does she have a nightlight?
Is she warm enough? My toddler has blankies but I get up in middle of
night to make sure he's covered up & warm (they are always off & he's
cold).
She might be having night terrors (watch what comes on when YOU
watch tv. Change channels when scary trailers for movies come on
I made sure my toddler's pj's are warm but not too hot
Maybe try a bedtime at 7:30 but only if she is ready
clean diaper for sleep?
My dd is a little older and started doing the same thing, but also sleep walking. Doc told us to reduce stimulation at night and push bedtime back so now we start bedtime routine around 6/6:30pm. Not the best b/c we'd like to spend more time with her, but it's helping. Lights get turned out, tv goes off, everyone just starts to relax around 6 and we try to have her in bed by 7 and that's when we read books, lights out by 7:30. I don't know if this is the same thing, but thought worth mentioning. Oh yeah, best part! Tired meltdowns have decreased TONS, especially the night time ones. :o)
I have a 20-month-old who goes to bed at around 9, wakes at around 7:15, and also napes between 1-3 p.m. Lately, she's been restless, also! I'm attributing it to a cold this week, but maybe daylight savings is still setting in? Also, maybe there's some growth spurts going on.
Teeth, new cognitive developments, viruses and time changes could all contribute. I agree with another poster that your house sounds very warm. I keep my thermostat at 68 degrees during the sleeping hours and my kids, esp my daughter, are still warm enough...in fact she sleeps in shorts and a tee shirt and she will not sleep with a blanket, only a sheet. I know when my kids were little I was constantly worried about them being warm enough and I frequently found them to be most cranky when I had overheated them, night or day, sleeping or play. For me, I hate waking up sweaty and I also hate being super hot while socializing, shopping, etc...
Also if her bedroom is on the second floor it likely to get quite warm.
Best wishes for a good nights rest for your little one!
