Trouble Falling Asleep

Perhaps you might shorten her afternoon nap. She may be more tired by bedtime and go to sleep easier.

I know you think that she is not sick, but for my daughter, the only time she ever acted that way was an ear infection. No fever, no bad mood, no runny nose, no pulling her ears, napped fine... but right after bedtime would get up screaming. Please have her ears checked! Or try some Tylenol if you are comfortable doing that.

My 21 month old is the same way. I spoke with his day care provider about it, because he has also started rolling around on the ground throwing tantrums during the day and screaming the whole time. She said it is completely normal at this age. Last night was the first night in a week that he has fallen asleep completely quietly like he used to! A big part of it is he knows that we are still awake and no matter how tired he is, he wants to stay part of the action. FYI, he was at his pediatrician for a daycare physical on Monday and she checked his ears, throat, etc and said he was fine.

my son is 27 months and did the same thing last month. Come to find out he changed his routine. it used to be wake up at 9 a.m. nap from noon till 2:30 and bed at 8. we had a horrible time with it like i said and suddenly i started watching his sleep signals. its now wake up at 10 a.m. nap from 3:30 to 5:30 and bed at 9:30. maybe things have just changes keep your eyes and ears open for those signals!

Hi T.,

Here are some web sites that may help:

http://www.naturallynurturing.com.uk/sleep.html

http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/13/top-ten-ways-to-...

www.snuzzermuzik.com

http://slumbersounds.com/baby-bedtime-rituals-info.htm

http://life.familyeducation.com/toddler/behavioral-proble...

Join a support group and go to some parenting classes.

www.kidspriorityone.org or ###-###-####

www.chkd.org/classes

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

P.S. If you don't get results with this information. Talk to a therapist about your child may be experiencing Separation Anxiety that is why she is having extreme emotional outbursts right now.

Have you tried relaxation music? My daughter is 7 and it still works with her.

At 22 months your daughter definitely knows what she is doing. In all your child rearing remember this principle: NEVER REWARD UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOR ! If children don't get what hey want from pitching a fit, they will figure, "Ok this is not working" and they will discontinue. Be consistent in your response. This is the key. AF

you could be describing my 22 mo son. The funny thing is that he won't do this when my husband puts him to bed, and my husband is the only one that can calm him down. So for the past 2 days I have left my hubby to do bedtime. I think this is normal, esp with the mommy attachment. He is also teething which I think has something to do with it. You may want to move his bedtime up a bit or have someone else put him to bed.

i copied the following response i gave someone else:
my 2yo daughter is also hard to get to sleep. to get her into her own bed i used a gradual approach. the first night i stayed next to her until she fell asleep while touching her back. eventually i sat in the doorway and soon i could leave after a consistent routine before she fell asleep. i have never tried to make her stay in her own bed once i have gone to bed. she has had problems sleeping through the night. nightmares, teeth, illness and gas are usually the culprits for us. she would have the same problems in her own bed but i notice them more because she's in bed with me. i personally like that she feels welcome to be close to me when she's scared or feeling crummy even at night. whatever you decide, it's your choice, you and your child's, don't let anyone make you feel bad for your choice.
routine, routine, routine and don't try to rush it beyond your child's or your comfort level.