My 2 year old is all of a sudden waking up wide awake at 1,2,3am!!

Shauna - posted on 08/14/2010

My 2 yr. old daughter has always been on my schedule since birth. I worked till 9 at night. So she would still be awake when i got home from work. Now i stay home full-time with her, im trying to get her in bed at 8 and sleeping by 9. But she is always so full of energy! I had to take away her nap during the day. But shes still getting 10 hrs, of sleep. I feel bad though and I worry she might not be getting enough sleep. I want her to get used to this schedule now cause shes starting preeschool in a year. Even though she isn't taking a nap, somedays, she is still wide awake and won't go to bed till 11 at night!! She has a musical projector in her crib too she likes but it does'nt always do the trick.

I don't know what to do so she can get more sleep and go to bed earlier every night?

Aisha - posted on 10/09/2009

My daughter is 27 months and she's tried versions of this over the past year or so. If she's sick it throws off her entire routine. I'd say first wear her out! Make sure she's tired when it's bedtime. If she still takes naps make sure she takes it (kids that are sleep deprived have a harder time sleeping well than those that aren't). I have a baby gate in my daughter's doorway, but leave the door partially open. If she tries to stay awake I tuck her back in a couple of times, tell her to go back to bed, it's nighttime, it's dark... go to bed! If you give in by taking them out of their room, putting them in your bed or allowing them to stay up you are letting them know this behavior gets the desired result and can look forward to more of the same.

It isn't easy and I know how strong the temptation is to scoop them up and hug them and go to bed just to get some sleep.

Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 10/09/2009

well i have a son and he don't always get up in the middle of the night but when he does i give a sippy cup of warm milk and when he is done he is normally back to sleep within the hour. i am not sure if it will work for you but it is worth the try if she even drinks milk. my niece who is also two wakes up all the time in the middle of the night but she don't drink milk and she also already sleeps in bed with her mom she has since she was born. that's not my way to do it but what ever works for them right.

Lindsey - posted on 10/08/2009

This is usually the age where they start dreaming more too. My kids both did this around the 2 year mark. My daughter is 2.5 and this is still happening.

My daughter is also at the stage where things are a little scary so we have put a nightlight in her room by her bed, make sure that her blinds are closed and leave the door open.

It helps to tuck her in and tell her what a big girl she is for sleeping in her bed instead of with mommy and daddy and to make sure that she has all of her lovies.

2 is a difficult year.

Good Luck !

Tanya - posted on 10/07/2009

Have you tried laying down with her for a bit or this may sound silly but I have an spare ipod with some pixar short movies that he lookes at and falls asleep by him self.