Taking 2 hours to get to sleep most nights

[Cilla]

My daughter is 28 months old, and just lately her sleeping habits have started to change. We used to start our bedtime routine between 6:30 or 7 and she would be in bed usually sleeping by 8. Now she has been taking till 9 or sometimes 10 to get to sleep and is still waking up at 7 or earlier. She takes a nap around 12:30, 1:30 at the lastest and sleeps a good 2 hours.  We have been potty training and she often wants to get up to go potty, and I dont want to tell her no because often she does, but sometimes it is just an excuse to get out of bed. She fights going down for naps and bed, but once she is asleep, she is asleep. Does anyone have suggestions for me getting her to sleep by 8 instead of later. I think she would be happier, and I know I would be.

[Layla]

Alot of toddlers start to mess around with bedtime at this age, especially if the nap is as long as 2hrs. Some are ok on 2hr nap & 11hrs at night but with us it was more like 1.5hr nap & 10.5hr night. So I would look at shortening the nap to 1.5hrs & not let her sleep say past 2.30pm so that she can go to sleep more easily at night. If the nap is going to start as late as 1.30pm then shorten it to 1hr, again to protect bedtime!

hth a little
Layla

[brightside]

I agree with Layla. We were experiencing similar problems. DS's nap is limited to 1.25-1.5 hours now to ensure he is asleep by about 8.30 and I never let him sleep past 2.30 but usually nearer to 2-2.15.

[Cilla]

Thank you both. I will try shorting her nap.