I need a plan of action for my toddler...

[pookiesossige]

Hey guys, I was thinking that a few of you might have some words of wisdom for me :)

DS is nearly 2.5 and used to go to bed between 7 - 7.30pm, waking at around 6am. It was wonderful!
Then, at about the same time, he went from cot to bed, had a week of being seriously ill and daylight savings started. So now he goes to bed at around 8.30pm and gets up out of bed (turning the light on and playing) until about 9.30pm. I calmly take him back to bed without a word each time. Occasionally I give him a small amount of milk or water in his bottle to help him calm down back in bed. He has a nap from about 1-3pm- and really needs this sleep.

It is getting reeeeally bad... I often feed and settle DD every couple of hours throughout the night and I'm wearing thin. I feel bad, as if I should be coping and just doing whatever I can to meet his needs- but I'm just not managing well...

Is there anything you guys think I should be doing to try and wind his bedtime back?

And what are your tactics for teaching a toddler that they need to stay in bed at night?

Thanks soooo much.. I'm getting desperate!

[kirstenriley]

:hugs: to you.

Only thing that worked for us was perseverence(sp?) but it did take a few weeks unfortunately. Could you start taking toys away from him when he gets out of bed to play maybe?? Explain to him that if he gets out and plays with such and such, you will put it away?

[DQ]

This happened to us during the transition from cot to bed. The only way I could get the normal bedtime routine back was to limit my DDs sleep during the day. We did this for a week or so until she became more tired in the night time from lack of sleep during the day.

Eventually we were able to let her sleep again during the day, once she got used to the new night time routine.

Good luck!!! :fingerscrossed:

[pookiesossige]

Thanks guys..

DQ, the days he doesn't have a sleep means an even later bedtime- don't know why- but it always happens, so he'll keep having his sleep, just making sure it doesn't go on too late in the arvo.

Thanks also Kirsten.. The first few times I get up to him, I remove the toy and say "you can play with that in the morning, it's time for bed now" and I put it up in the cupboard before putting him in bed, giving him a quick cuddle etc. After a few times of this, I just say nothing and put him in bed, turn off light and walk out.. trying to be really boring I guess, so that he decides that sleep sounds nice after all.

Last night he got out of bed to put on his gumboots and raincoat and tried climbing up the shelves in his wardrobe :rolleyes:

[kirstenriley]

Last night he got out of bed to put on his gumboots and raincoat and tried climbing up the shelves in his wardrobe :rolleyes:

lol...thats too funny sorry.

[rinksmum]

I was about to post about a similar thing, so I hope you don't mind me intruding on this thread instead! I have the same problem with my ds1, and we don't even have daylight saving here (qld) so there is no excuse! He moved into a bed about 2 months ago, and has just discovered he can get out & walk out of the room, so that's what he keeps doing. We have been doing the same thing as you pookiesossige - just silently putting him back into bed, but he thinks its hilarious & keeps getting up again - it goes on for about an hour :banghead: before he finally stays in bed and goes to sleep. I'd be really keen to hear everyone's tips on how to make him stay put! Or maybe we just have to stick to what we're doing and eventually it will work??

[SixtiesChild]

Hi,

Sounds like you are doing everything right. Just keep persevering.
I had some problems regarding sleep patterns with my dd and the solution was not what I'd expected.
I don't know if the following might apply to you:

Sometimes new disruptive behavior might also be because your child may want to get a little extra attention from you. They do this when they are little because it's hard for them to communicate what they feel in response to a new sibling. They just need to be reassured.

My 8mth old has taken the spotlight away from my 6 year old and things are just starting to get better. It's been a huge transition for her and it's getting better slowly and has said that she loves her baby sister. She had been the centre of attention for quite a while. Sometimes I have to reassure her that I love her just as much as the little one.
She has said on a few occasions that I don't cuddle her as much as the baby.
My solution has been to set aside some special daily one on one time aside for her so that we can spend some interesting time together. We read a book or play I spy, or if i've got time bake some cookies etc....
When she was younger she loved to play "hide and seek with mummy."

Goodluck:)

[HoopDeeDoo]

Em have you got a bed time routine going?

This is Noah's

Dinner
Bath
Bottle with lots of reading at least 3 books
Brushing of teeth
Cuddles and put to bed
He has been playing and doing silly things but he goes to sleep for the most part. For some reason he likes it when I tell him "close your eyes and dream of nice things" he thinks thats funny and actually closes his eyes

I think consistancy is the key, and catching them in the act of being naughty and sending them back to bed everytime. :yes:

It is really tiring, but you'll get there if you don't give in :yes:

:hugs: good luck Em, we are now at the stage where Noah hasn't slept in the cot at all for the past 2 weeks ~ day or night :yes:

[HoopDeeDoo]

sorry to kill your thread em :laughing:

[pookiesossige]

:laughing: You didn't kill my thread Emma, I've been away a couple of times since yr post!! Plus it's normally me that kills the threads around here :o

Thanks so much, I do have a good routine with him that's almost identical to yours but due to illness etc it changed a bit... Everything seems to hype him up in the evening- I was thinking that the TV should go off totally for the hour before he goes to bed... but I like the tv! oh well.... the sacrifices we make!!

[pookiesossige]

Oh and that's great how Noah's been in the bed for 2 weeks!! Oh wait, probably 3 or 4 now :)