How to make a tired toddler sleep
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: Toddler Times
Forum Description: Is bubs growing up and getting into everything? How do you train them to use the potty? When do you start feeding solids? Share your tips and advice here!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35846
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Topic: How to make a tired toddler sleep
Posted By: noisybaby
Subject: How to make a tired toddler sleep
Date Posted: 21 September 2010 at 1:35pm
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My DD who is 2 is very hard to get to sleep during the day. When she does sleep it will be for 2-4hrs but when she doesn't she is an absolute mess till bedtime at night. I won't put the her to bed any earlier either as she just wakes earlier the next day. How do I make her calm down before her day sleep? She is all quiet when I take her but as soon as we get in her room she goes all hyperactive and then can't settle down to sleep. She is obviously tired and as soon as I get her up shes rubbing her eyes and yawning and then cries for the rest of the day/night. I always leave her to have quiet time in her room if she doesn't sleep but its not enough.I have even tried herbal calming pills but they haven't worked. Shes only started doing this during day sleeps since we got rid of her dummy 2months ago ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Replies:
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 21 September 2010 at 2:27pm
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i never forced my toddlers to sleep - it just wast worth the battle. i did find though that a walk or ride in the car would send them to sleep if they were really tired. Maybe you could try reading a book together and see if that helps, rub her back while you read and maybe she will nod off. ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: NovMum
Date Posted: 21 September 2010 at 2:54pm
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I had this problem too - I used to leave her with a stack of books and puzzles and and strict instructions to stay in bed she would eventually fall asleep, if she got out of bed I put her back in - unfortunately that phase didn't last very long and I couldn't be bothered with the battle anymore... Mine was about 2 1/2 though so I can see why you'd want to try and get her to keep going a bit longer... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 21 September 2010 at 7:43pm
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We have always had a problem getting Jack to sleep, he is like DH and keeps going and going until he crashes from complete exhaustion. I gave up naps at about 2.5yrs because it wasn't worth the hasle or I would take the boys for a walk and they would both sleep although the weather was better then!
At night we used to put audio books on for him and he would go to sleep listening to those, they really calmed him down ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: Lulu
Date Posted: 21 September 2010 at 7:45pm
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At around about 2 years old I stopped putting my DD in her room for a day sleep. I found that she just would climb up on the couch and go to sleep when she was ready. Now at 3 years 1 month, this still works well and she still has up to 2.5 hours sleep everyday. ------------- Lou http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: bext1
Date Posted: 21 September 2010 at 10:25pm
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Can't really offer help in how to get her to sleep during the day, our two dropped their daytime (11am-1pm like clockwork each day) sleeps when they hit two. I gave up trying to get them to sleep as it just caused us more grief than good, as they would both scream and bang their heads on the door, so now it's just 'quiet time' if we can, and they stay in their room and play and listen to the wiggles.
If they are tired though, they just take themselves into bed. If they don't I will let them have an hour or two to play quietly. Then they are OK till about 7, and off to bed for the night. ------------- 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 24 September 2010 at 1:49pm
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My boy went through a stage where day sleeps were harder at around this age but now they are fine again so keep persisting with it.
Ditto other suggestions of getting her togo for a walk, or chase her around the yard. Def helps my boy get off to sleep if he's physically tired. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: mcshort
Date Posted: 25 September 2010 at 1:13pm
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I'm with you on that. Every time I start 'Project Tough Love' to try to get my boy to sleep (which is a controlled crying approach that I figured now he's nearly 2 it can't hurt too much) he seems to get sick and it all goes out the window.
I'm expecting another soon-ish, so I'm now trying out lunch at 11:30, then a new nappy and into his cot at 12 - eventually I'm sure it'll just be quiet time but just trying to get that expectation that for 2 hours from 12 it's quiet or sleep time in his room. On a friend's encouragement I'm just persevering and persevering as I'm the same - Iknow he needs the sleep as he will sleep for 90mins once I get him to sleep (which is usually rubbing his back but I am getting too big to lean over the cot now!!) and if he has no nap, he is wretched by dinner time. Not sure if it helps but lots of luck! ------------- Mum to two very active boys, born October 2008 and December 2010. Getting excited about becoming a Childbirth Educator, and LOVIN being a birth support to amazing and courageous women! |
Posted By: kiwikid
Date Posted: 29 September 2010 at 9:55am
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We often have issues at nap time, to be honest I try and make sure we have been out in the morning, give him a big morning tea and get him to fall asleep in the car!!! Yesterday we had been out, he was tired but the short ride home wasn't long enough, did lunch and he was knackered but kicked up fuss when put to bed, after half an hour I put him in the car less than 2 mins down the road he'd crashed!! Around the block I went and transferred him to his bed!!!!!
A friend said that she did audio books when her DS tried to drop his sleep around 2.5yrs, some times he'd nod off other times it was mandatory quiet time in his room. Not sure we could do that as my DS would just kick the baby gate and yell for me! ------------- 
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Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 29 September 2010 at 3:20pm
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we have the same issue here with out 2 yr old
I always out him in his room whether he will sleep or not, and if he doesnt sleep then he goes to bed earlier and that works for us. He has daycare tues and thurs and the last 2 weeks they said he hasnt been sleeping there either. Today him and his 13 month old sister played outside in sun for ages and he fell asleep with some milk :) |
Posted By: happymumma
Date Posted: 15 October 2010 at 1:43pm
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I've just dropped the day sleep as although DS (almost 2 and a half) still semi needs it, it was taking longer and longer for him to go to bed and settle down at night. I like the idea of audio books so might try that for a quiet time, or for the nights when settling to sleep is still a bit of an issue. |