Sleep regression at age 2? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Sleep regression at age 2?

138
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 09:46

Help! Is this something I didn't know about? My parents just commented over Christmas on how easily DD goes to bed and they must have jinxed us as the last few nights have been a nightmare! :\: The usual routine is that we all have a cuddle and then I leave to start dinner while DH and DD have some special time together and a bit of a catch up after their day. They brush teeth, read a book or watch stars on the ceiling etc and bedtime is 7pm. She's not a good sleeper and only has 1.5 to 2 hrs in the day and never after 2pm so we feel 7pm is a must. She's tried every stall tactic in the book this week though. She wants us both at bedtime, she wants to go downstairs and the big one is that she's still hungry. I thought I took care of that last night as I gave her yoghurt and some cereal with her night-time milk. Is she just testing us or does she feel like she's missing out on something and are we supposed to just let her cry it out? That would break my heart as bedtime has always been a special time for our family and I'd hate for her to be so worked up before going to sleep. I can't imagine dropping her daytime nap already. What is going on??

61
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 17:55
Hi there Our DS is going through the same, he's 27 month's old. We've had a lot of visitors the last couple of months, and we have been back to Europe for Christmas, although I don't really think in his case this is the problem. One of the issues is that he figured out how to climb out of his cot, so we took the sides of so he can climb in and out more safely. However, as it happens we have two cots in his room (due to our move) and sometimes he asks to sleep in the cot with the walls. We always give him the choice, and see him choosing the big bed more and more often. He is waking up though and seems upset by it, but with his dummy, his teddy bear and a quick hug things seem fine. What we did notice clearly is that he panics when we close his door, something we always used to do before. Now we just leave his door open and some light in the hallway, and that seems to help a lot, so you might give that a try as well Good luck!
149
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 16:28
SweetLily - I think you've hit the nail on the head! She didn't really react when my parents left, but if I think about how I feel after having people to stay,I can only imagine what it must be like for her. Definitely just lots of love and understanding needed I think and fingers crossed it passes. Thanks for your post and thanks Kiwispiers for the lovely suggestion. My sister did something similar with both my nieces and I'll definitely be trying it too. Thanks again x How is it going now? Better, I hope. But I know that with our daughter it can take a little while sometimes. Just keep reminding yourself if will pass because it most very likely will. It sounds like you are a wonderful and supportive mama. Your daughter is lucky. :) And I LOVE the kissing game idea that KW posted. Very cute!
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 15:38
Kiwispiers I just love that Kissing Game technique! Might go & practice now :) I've never tried it but I love the idea of it, KIO rather than CIO! I'm not sure it would work on a 6 month old as suggested but I might be trying it soon on my 17 mo soon as part of taking away the dummy.
174
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 14:28
Kiwispiers I just love that Kissing Game technique! Might go & practice now :)
138
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 January 2012 - 13:35
SweetLily - I think you've hit the nail on the head! She didn't really react when my parents left, but if I think about how I feel after having people to stay,I can only imagine what it must be like for her. Definitely just lots of love and understanding needed I think and fingers crossed it passes. Thanks for your post and thanks Kiwispiers for the lovely suggestion. My sister did something similar with both my nieces and I'll definitely be trying it too. Thanks again x
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 14:50
since its only been a few days I wouldn't stress too much just yet. There is a technique called the kissing game which sounds like a nice alternative to CIO and keeps the positive associations you've worked so hard to build. let us know how it works, I'll refer back to it when my toddler hits 23 months no doubt :) [i'>The Kissing Game This approach is particularly suited to children age between 6 months and 2 years, though it can be used for older children. The key principles are: Have a consistent bedtime Develop a positive bedtime routine Put your baby down to bed when s/he is drowsy Promise to return in a minute to give another kiss Return almost immediately to give another kiss Take a few steps towards the door then return to give another kiss Promise to return in a minute to give another kiss Put something away, or do something in the room Return to give another kiss Promise to return in a minute to give another kiss Pop outside the room for a few seconds Return to give another kiss As long as your child is lying down, he gets more kisses, but no more chat, cuddles, stories or drinks, just kisses until asleep If your older child gets out of bed say something like ‘into bed and I'll give you kiss' Help him back to bed and give him a kiss When your child is sound asleep you can stop[/i'>
149
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 14:22
Hi Clair K, Were your parents visiting you or were you travelling over the holidays? It kind of sounds like anxiety to me. My daughter always takes time to process when we have other people around a lot and her anxiety always shows in the form of sleep regression. I suppose what we do it just nurture her and reassure her and it eventually passes. We have found that we like to keep our nighttime nice and calm, like you said you do, and we think it has worked really well for us to create a safe and secure environment for our daughter to go to sleep. I think that working with her feelings, especially when she's nervous or seems anxious, really helps us to get back onto her normal sleep cycle. Anyway, that's what we do. It is hard and I really have to remind myself that it will pass but it always does pass. Hugs to you.
53
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 12:26
i am experiencing the same agony now...my Ean is sleeping late, as in very late or if he sleeps early because of being very tired in the afternoon, then he wakes up in the wee hours of the night!!! i lack sleep and sometimes i just panic, lose my patience and i get too naggy. we have been following up same routine but the sudden change in his sleeping habit really sursprised me. most friends tell me this will pass...some say he is trying to make up with the lost times (btw, i work and he goes to nursery and daycare)...i am really hoping this will end soon...goodluck to us!
138
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 11:11
Hi Ginnee, she's 25 months now. Shella, sorry to hear you're in the same boat as I am. I've been thrown for a loop as she took moving to her big girl bed really well and was fine when my folks left so I just don't know where this has come from?...Anyway, thanks for sharing and good luck to you too x
1285
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 10:42
Help! Is this something I didn't know about? My parents just commented over Christmas on how easily DD goes to bed and they must have jinxed us as the last few nights have been a nightmare! :\: The usual routine is that we all have a cuddle and then I leave to start dinner while DH and DD have some special time together and a bit of a catch up after their day. They brush teeth, read a book or watch stars on the ceiling etc and bedtime is 7pm. She's not a good sleeper and only has 1.5 to 2 hrs in the day and never after 2pm so we feel 7pm is a must. She's tried every stall tactic in the book this week though. She wants us both at bedtime, she wants to go downstairs and the big one is that she's still hungry. I thought I took care of that last night as I gave her yoghurt and some cereal with her night-time milk. Is she just testing us or does she feel like she's missing out on something and are we supposed to just let her cry it out? That would break my heart as bedtime has always been a special time for our family and I'd hate for her to be so worked up before going to sleep. I can't imagine dropping her daytime nap already. What is going on?? how old is she Clair?
127
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 January 2012 - 10:08
I share your pain! My 23 month old has all of a sudden become a nightmare at bedtime and during the night. We started a new routine a few days ago to see if it would help:dinner at 5, TV off, bath at 6, storeytime, bed with milk at 6.30. Unfortunately DD dropped her daytime nap 2 weeks ago (my other DD did this at this age too!), so I have tried (unsuccessfully)to get her to have 30 minutes after nursery. The last 2 nights she has fallen asleep drinking her milk in her cot with me sat in the room with my back to her. Our main problem now is that she wakes at regular intervals where I have to go in and lie her back down, off to sleep she goes again with no problem. This usually happens 4 or 5 times and evening so no downtime for me! We have tried to leave her a few minutes and see if she settles but that results in her vomiting! Really dreaming of the day I get a relaxing evening followed by a great nights sleep. I know it will happen, hopefully before she is 3 which is when my eldest DD settled!!!! Hope your DD settles soon. <em>edited by Shella on 05/01/2012</em>
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY