26 month old: Just started not letting us put her down at night

[td]

My 26 mo has been going to bed fine for the longest time.  We usually do her normal bedtime routine and lay her down. She plays around for a bit and then falls asleep.  However, for the last week she has been crying when we bring her into her room, or wants us to pick her up and give her a hug or tell her a story and gets very upset if we try to lay her down.  We haven't left her but each night it is getting worse.  Any tips?  Also, for the past 2 days she hasn't napped.  She will play in her crib for 1 1/2 hours but didn't sleep, which she has never done.  Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated!

[Tweakster]

Hi there, this will likely get moved to Toddler sleep where it belongs but I just wanted to ask if you have had any big changes in your house?  We are going through a similar thing with Finn 19 mths and it's due to some changes that have happened, seemed no big deal at the time but just now we are seeing what has transpired from the changes.

She sounds OT, especially if she hasn't napped.  Maybe she was ready for a routine change?  A later or shorter nap perhaps?  What does her day look like?

[td]

Thanks for your response.  No major changes that I can think of.  I keep wondering if she is finally getting her 2 year molars, but I felt around and couldn't feel anything.  She typically wakes up around 7, nap around 1 or 1:30 and then bedtime at 8.

[KathrynK]

There are a few of us here with 25/ 26mo's all doing a similar thing at the mo- I don't have any decent  advice for you, I am just muddling through, but at least you are not alone! I honestly think it's the 2yr growth spurt and things will be wonky for a few weeks then settle down again.
Big hugs xx

[td]

It feels a lot like a power thing with her too.  First it was she wanted some water then would go right to sleep.  Then a hug, then a story..... then she just wouldn't let us lay her down.  Is it best to just stop those cold turkey?  I don't know how to do that without her screaming and crying. 

[KathrynK]

Alex was like this tonight too. When he goes through these little phases I find the best thing is for more cuddles. Not cuddling right to sleep (he is an independent sleeper) but cuddling a bit more than normal, it's like he needs that extra reassurance.
Hope you have a better night tomorrow x

[td]

Thanks again for your help.  Luckily she crashed out right away today for her nap, since she is way overtired.  Fingers crossed that tonight is back on track!

[KathrynK]

Am keeping them crossed for you x

[shresmummy]

Hi there, just wanted to drop in and give you some hugs...I am going through exactly the same thing with my DD who is now 25 months nearly 26. As Kathryn said I think it's a developmental sort of issue as all our LOs seem to doing the same thing! Hope things go well and that tonight goes well....fingers crossed

[Tweakster]

Finn's a lot younger but we do the same, when he's going through 'this phase' we offer extra cuddles and try not to be too tough on the kid because he's an independent sleeper normally and always gets back on the horse.  So we play it out because he needs his parental cups filled for some reason.  Oh to be in the mind of a toddler!

[td]

Last night went perfect!  She did suck all her water out of her sippy cup and spit it all over herself so I had to change her sheets, pjs, sleepsack, etc, but I just told her she lost her water for the night and she was fine.  Today at naptime she figured out for the first time that she could get out of her crib while in her sleepsack (yikes) but I put her right back in and told it was time to take a nap.  Whew!

I think I am going to buy one of those green/red light clocks so she knows when she can get out and when she needs to stay in.

[shresmummy]

Yay! hope the good trend continues. Goodness knows it's not with my LO!