Bedtime struggles
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Exactly the same here 😭 it’s so painful and I struggle to see the light at the end of this tunnel 🙏🏼
We do no naps, only let her nap if she’s poorly or fell asleep in car and it can’t be helped. Seems to have worked best for us for bedtime x
@Ellie I'm so glad it's not just me then, doesn't help that I'm heavily pregnant and really struggling to keep walking up/down stairs every 5minutes to sort him ☹️
@Jess I honestly don't think he would get through the day if he didn't nap, iv even tried to have a early nap but will not nap before 1pm
@Sarra really hope it gets better soon 🤞 currently still trying to get him to sleep but just messing around
FINALLY asleep... only took 1.5hrs
Has this been since the clocks changed ? Ive put bedtime an hour later since and then taking 10 minutes off every other night. But im struggling at the moment with bedtime as hes come off the dummy and someday him missing his naps
@Kim hmm yes it probably is yes, we also got rid of the dummy around the same time. Just not sure if now 9pm is his new bedtime and doesn't need to go bed earlier like before
We’re in the EXACT same position, although her daytime nap is no trouble. She will easily self soothe in the daytime but nighttime’s are horrendous. Takes ages, we go by wake windows and she’s clearly tired for bed but will not wind down!
@Laura we are same, once I can see his tired during the day he will nap straight away it's just night time that's the issue. But same I can't get him to wind down and jist sit/lay down
@Katie it’s a nightmare isn’t it. I find it really difficult as it’s taking ages to get her to sleep. I will stand there and hold her hand or be in sight, she will try and settle but it’s like her brain won’t switch off. I’ve tried leaving the room when she’s messing around but it doesn’t help as she’ll just go back to being silly when I go back in. The only thing working for us at the moment to make it shorter is my partner gives her his phone for 5 minutes maximum then he takes it away and she will fall asleep. He is led in bed with her though. It’s not ideal at all but it’s the only thing that’s making it under 30 mins until she’s asleep!
I also don't know if it's cos he's being away from his childminder for a few weeks, so I'm hoping once he's back in that routine next week, of getting up earlier ect we will be back to normal
@Laura we have even tried reading a story and sitting holding his hand but like you said soon as I leave the room he's up messing again x
@Katie yeah ours also wouldn’t get through the day with no naps! When we manage to get him down for a morning nap instead of afternoon nap it does seem to help?! So maybe that’s the way but that’s also sometimes impossible
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@Ellie ye at minute I can't get him down before 1pm, but do keep trying
Unfortunately this is pretty normal for this age. They are becoming more self aware and active so unless they are burnt out from a super busy day, no normal routine day is going to have then crashing out in 30 min or less. Depriving them of a nap to try and achieve this isn't the best option either unless they are are getting a solid 11 to 14 hours of sleep overnight as this is what they require for this age. 3 yrs old is on the earlier end of nap dropping for most kids. They just don't understand the value of sleep yet and don't want to miss out on anything. It's frustrating but heck I'm 39 years old and I still have trouble falling asleep sometimes. Can't shut my brain down either 🤪
Yep, same is happening with us!
@Katie hopefully it’s just a phase. I’m going to stick with wake windows, my LO is roughly up at 6.30am most days so therefore, she goes for a nap at 12.15, asleep by 12.30 - 6 hour wake window. She sometimes sleeps 1.30/2pm so it needs to be 6hrs from this for bedtime. But again super frustrating when it goes go to plan and takes 5 times as long!
Yes same here too! I put it down to the clocks changing and the lighter nights (even though we have blackout). Annoying thing is he’s waking up 2 hours earlier in the morning too so he’s getting even less sleep! Don’t know what to do but going to try getting him to bed earlier tonight
It’s because a lot of toddlers this age are needing less and less day sleep and moving towards dropping the nap (sadly!) You may need to cut to 30 mins soon if you want to bring bedtime a little earlier xx
Omg, I can’t offer any reassurance except to say that we’re going through the exact same with my 2y.o. 😭 it’s so tough, would also love any tips!