Can't fall asleep!

Gold Member Joined: Dec 16 2008 Posts: 1118

lately it has been taking HOURS for my 2 year old DD to fall asleep! its 10 pm and she's been in bed for almost 3 hours. I hear her moving around and occasionally she says "mommy?", or sings to herself a bit. it never used to be this way, but it has happened already a few lime within a week.

what is this? why? she's not doing it for attention because she isn't making a big deal about it.

background: she is the oldest child in the family. we have a new baby at home now for 3 weeks. she doesn't mind the baby, and isn't really behaving differently. she's happy to be a big sister, but otherwise ignored the baby. she naps in playgroup at about noon, and bedtime is around 7 pm. she generally wake up between 6-7 am. we have a pretty predictable bedtime routine. pus, bottle of milk, tooth brushing,book reading, shema, and I pat her back and sing her a song after I put her in her crib. she eats normally for a toddler, what am I leaving out that can help solve this mystery?

actually now she's crying to come out, I think she's just frustrated and bored.

how do I help her?

Senior Member Joined: Dec 26 2010 Posts: 108

my 3 yr old ds can be like that. up to 2 hours to fall asleep. the other day he seemed really bored, so I gave him a small toy and he was quiet and fell asleep. have you ever tried that?
sometimes telling him very seriously that he needs to go to sleep works too.
good luck

Senior Member Joined: Dec 26 2010 Posts: 108

also, she may not be tired out enough. is she active? lots of physical activity tires kids out. its much harder in the winter, though.

Executive Member Joined: May 26 2009 Posts: 306

How close to age 3 is she? Sounds like naps are either to long or not needed daily. Staying up very late is a good sign of outgrowing naps around age 3.