20 month old struggling to settle at night...why?

[snowbird]

Hi all,

For the last week or so LJ has been struggling to go down at night but eventually settles (mostly on her own), sttn and wakes a bit later than normal (6.15-6.30am instead of 6!) But why?

The last 2 days have been worse but we put that to os from Christmas - out until not long before bt! We have the same routine we've always had in terms of calming which includes a bottle of milk and a story.

Daytime routine:

Wu 6.15-6.30am
6 hours A
Nap 1.5-2 hours
5 hours A/13 hour day (whichever comes sooner) before bt.

Routines not changed! Ut? OT? Talking to dh now and we think it could be OT as not necessarily sticking ridgidly to bt - used to be in cot 20 mins before sleep due but not necessarily done this in last week. Could it be OT? She's not in her cot much later but later all the same.

Any thoughts please fellow bwers? Xxx

[*Becky*]

I would say it is more likely to be OT than UT with xmas and all the things that have been going on. Also if she naps 1.5 hours rather than 2 she def could be OT.  I would try a slightly earlier BT tonight and see if it helps. These things can build up over a busy period. We had the same last night with M.

[snowbird]

Thanks, Becky! Hope you've had a lovely Christmas!

She had a very unsettled night last night - first in a while. Definitely down to OS from the day and was definitely expected! Ok, we'll try putting her down earlier tonight. Thanks xxx

[Lolly]

How did the earlier night go? It can take a good run of early nights to see if it makes a difference.

Laura

[snowbird]

Hi Laura, thanks for asking!

Not good - can't even remember the details in my haze of no sleep! Was up a lot that night and a few times last night too.

This morning we tried for a shorter A time due to the bad nights and she ended up refusing her nap - gave up after over an hour in her cot playing! Then fell asleep in the car, but only for 45 mins. Aimed for 6pm bt, but was a little later (sorting dinner, but refused it!). Couldn't settle probably due to ot and all the noise from our neighbours. She's stirred loads already and ended up giving her some milk at 9pm as she's clearly hungry. Not sure that was the right thing to do, but really - what do you do! Can't see her munching on a sandwich in the middle of the night!

She's not been very well. Had a cold, cough etc for a while, but now she looks like she might have impetigo - need to get her to the doctors tomo.

So a terrible time, but a mixture of illness, hunger and OT me thinks. Just need to ride tonight out...wish me luck  xxx

[Lolly]

Poor girl! Dose her up and do what you need to until she gets over it. Does she have teeth coming through as well?

Laura

[snowbird]

Yes, we did say today that she seems to be teething too Poor LJ! xxx

[snowbird]

Well now we have nap refusal I did put her down half an hour late but Normally she'd still go down!

Had a terrible first part of the night - waking regularly with what sseems like trapped wind. Screams until she's passed it then settles again. Impetigo confirmed! Xxx

[*Becky*]

poor thing, sounds like discomfort and/or OT to me. I presume she has meds?

[snowbird]

Sorry Becky, only just got this. She's better now but still struggling to settle at night. Wondering if she's OT as in cot 20 min -30 min after a 13 hour day - mostly. Put her down spot on today and still took 40 min to settle. Why? Ot? Xxx

[*Becky*]

what do her days look like atm?

[snowbird]

Wu between 6 and half 6
6 hrs A
Nap 2 - 2.5 hours. Less on 2 nursery days.
Bt after 5 hrs A or 13 hr day- whichever comes first! Usually latter!
Settling quicker last few days when in bed on time as per above routine. Think bt too late b4
Xxx