Toddler Sleep Pattern

It can be rough, right? At this age, it's very normal for them to have that emotional need for mom or dad to be there with them until they fall asleep. I usually sit on the couch with my 2 year old until he falls asleep, then I take him to bed. Last night I didn't have the energy. I kept falling asleep, but he seemed wide awake. I decided to lie down with him instead and ended up falling asleep. My husband came in a found me about 30 minutes later. I went straight to bed ofter that.

I do have lots of things I need to get done as well, but I know right now he needs me. He'll grow out of this phase very soon, so I just keep reminding myself of that.

My older son began putting himself to sleep when he was about 2 1/2. He was a horrible sleeper for the first 18 months. Now he's a pro, unless he's sick or having a bad dream.

Try to cherish this time with her. She really does need you right now.

i sing to my oldest, it still gives us some bonding time. There is a Sleep, baby, sleep song that i sing. By the time i get to the last part my kid is oblivious to the world. This way she knows that i am there for her. I only sing when it is nigh-night time, not nap. she now puts herself to sleep. I also have the black out curtains so that her room is dark. my youngest passes out to a fan, the hubby started her on it when she was little. When she wont sleep i reach in flip on the fan and out she goes. no, i doesn't affect her normal time, i can have other fans on through out the day with no sign of her noticing.

At 2 years old.... sleep tweaks commonly happens.

At this age, it is a real change in development/cognition and emotions. Emotions, not being fully developed yet, in a child this age.
Sure and they still get "separation anxiety" too, which does occur at different ages and is manifested differently per age juncture.

It is a lot of changes, in a kid this age. Developmentally.
Even if they don't sleep/nap, they do need it.
But at this age, they can 'fight' tiredness, better.
Or when over-tired, they get more seemingly "hyper." but are actually tired.

Try telling her, that it is nap time for MOMMY, too.
That is what I do with my kids. It is nap, for me too. And I do, sometimes nap. Really.

Also at this age, they don't have fully developed "impulse-control" either.

Or, instead of leaving her in her room and not being able to wind-herself down at-will... try sitting in a chair in her room. Tell her to lie down. You sit in a chair. Don't engage with her, don't give her eye contact, don't play, don't get into a dialogue etc. Keep it quiet and door closed. Turn on white noise if you need to. Make the room dark. Tell her it is wind-down time. Use that as a cue word. Tell her to lie down, to calm her body. Let her body relax. Meanwhile, you SIT in the chair in her room. Me, I do that and read my magazines. Every so often, in a monotonous boring voice, I will say to him "nap..... " with no emotion.

That is what I do with my little 4 year old Dude. That is what works. He still naps, everyday. He needs it otherwise he turns into a fussy mega Troll.

Also, if my son has to poop, he cannot nap. So, after any snack or lunch, after he poops, he is more able to nap. I know that about him.

Also key: is to have a wind-down time. ie: a transition BEFORE the actual nap time. Key things down, like 1 hour before nap. Kids this age, need that. To KEY DOWN.

Also, in the mornings, that is when I do physical exerting stuff with my son... outside. Lots of running around etc. To get his yah-yah's out and pent up energy. So that, by afternoon/lunch time, he got it out of his system, and will be tired.

Kids this age, still need to nap.

Have the SAME routine, every darn day, per naps. After a bit, the child will KNOW it, like autopilot. My son does. Sometimes even when he is tired, he will tell me "I wanna nap now Mommy... " and goes into the routine himself.

I teach my kids, that 'naps' are not 'bad.' It is good for the body and that it is okay to ADMIT that you are tired. It is healthy. Nothing is wrong, with being or saying, you are tired.

Also at this age, due to changing cognition and imagination development... kids do get night-mares and dream. Sometimes, this will tweak them too, and/or wake them.

Also what you might try, is teaching your child "deep breathing." This is a real technique. Tell her to lie down, make things calm. Then to deeply breathe in... and to slowly breathe out. Tell her to close her eyes when doing it. And to just listen/focus on her breathing... and not think of anything. It can be calming. For some people, it even helps with stress. Do it for as long as she can, rationally for a 2 year old.
For some, it will allow them to switch gears. To relax.

Last but not least: there is something called "Hyland's Calms Forte- for kids." Its Homeopathic, non-drowsy, all natural. Helps to calm a kid or adult. Some use it when traveling. As I have and my friends have. Found at Whole Foods or natural food stores. Look it up online for the reviews.

all the best,
Susan