Toddler taking ages to sleep when it's Mummy

I was wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. My 22 month old LG has been in a "Mummy Stage" for what feels like months now. Lately, whenever I put her to bed, she kicks up the biggest fuss - wants cuddles from me, me to hold her hand, sit on my lap etc. If I put her back in her cot or try to resettle her she screams/cries. If I do things that she wants like cuddles, holding hand etc it's like it's never enough and she is NEVER ready to leave me and go to sleep. If my husband does bedtime, she never really kicks up a fuss with him, at most he'll get a slight moan. My husband has said to sit with her but essentially "ignore" her moans. Respond here and there with "Mummy's here" but that's it. I just don't know what to do, whatever I do I feel like i'm doing it wrong and i'm setting her up for failure - if I cuddle her/hold her hand, I feel like i'm becoming a crutch for her to be able to sleep and she never settles very quickly when I do that stuff but if I don't do that, am I showing her that "mummy doesn't care" and she essentially doesn't get love and affection when she wants it? All my family and friends says she does it because she knows she can with mummy. I just can't stand to hear her cry. It breaks my heart but i'm getting so frustrated that my husband gets the easy nights and i get an hour of trying to settle her!

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The only answer I have for you is, listen to your instincts. Maybe she just needs you more at the moment, maybe you are more of a comfort for her. Maybe she's having growth spurt. We once managed to get our toddler to go to sleep without sitting in his room and then a few weeks later he always needs one of us to be there or cuddle him etc, especially me as he is closer to me. It's hard but I think it does show that you're emotionally available but of course you still need to do what's practical as well. My boy was fed to sleep until 23 months for example but he's turned 3 and he's fine in his own room if I just follow his needs. Sometimes he's more needy and I'll do what I can to be there

@Tazzy thank you for this! Sometimes it's nice to hear from someone that it's just something they go through. Maybe sometimes we as parents can think too deeply about this stuff...me definitely so 😅

Hey my son is 22 months and passing through the same. I beleive he is just passing through his evolutionary pick of separation anxiety. What is normal so i try to have a lot of cuddling before bed and during story time. The fact that we have a flor bed also helps and we also give him a teddy for him to cuddle. And do not forget mostly crutch are bad because they will make your life harder. He will lose them sonner or later, there has never been a teen that wants to cuddle mam to go to bed.

Hi @Tasha sorry you’re struggling with bedtime. As the expert in this group and sleep coach I am happy to offer you some help with your daughter. This may take a few comment sections to help you. You can also set up a free call with me at SuccesswithCelia.com

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