Overtired before bedtime??

[cookie cookie]

I'm wondering if it's possible that my dd might be getting overtired before bedtime. Lately at bedtime she is not winding down very well but instead is getting all wound up and runs about the house screeching/playing and then when I put her in her crib she is coming up with stalling tactics such as telling me she needs to pee (we started potty training a bit) or she needs a drink, or a certain toy. She is 18 months old. Here's what her day looks like...

Wake 7-7:30am (although the last two mornings it was 6:15 for some reason  )
Nap 12:30pm (asleep before 1pm. Usually between 1 1/2 to 3 hours long)
winddown bedtime routine 7pm
in bed 8pm (usually asleep by 8:30pm but sometimes as late as 9pm)

Is this a stage they go through at 18 months or should I be starting her wind down earlier than 7pm? She napped until 3:40 pm today and I noticed she was yawning by 6:30pm. Could she possibly be tired enough to start getting ready for bed then? Only 3 hours from waking from her nap? I guess anythings possible!  We've had the same bedtime routine for a long time now but lately she leaves and starts running around the house. Maybe I need to change the routine?? This is what it looks like...

7pm we watch a video (only for about 15 minutes) usually "Pooh" or "Cinderella"
We have a snack while watching the video (milk and nutrios... same every night)
After snack we say bye to video and she turns it off
we go to brush teeth, go on potty (just for practise) then into clean diaper and jammies
then we say nighty night to Daddy and go into her room, close her door and read books (about three)
then we get into her sleeping bag and say goodnight to her prayer lamb
she used to just snuggle right in and was happy but the last few weeks she is fussing, crying, making excuses.
she usually settles down within five minutes though and then will play until she falls to sleep.

I guess I shouldn't be complaining but I'm just trying to figure out what is making her not want to go into her crib all of a sudden when she used to so easily up until a few weeks ago. Any advice welcome. Thanks.

[Layla]

Maybe you should try the wind-down before 7 as you mentioned. Mine wakes up b/n 6-6.30, has a 1.5-2 hr nap starting at 12ish and her bedtime is 6ish. We start dinner around 5.15, she's then in a bath playing, then books (5), bottle of milk and then I leave. So its about 6 or so by the time we finish and I leave her. She plays/talks to herself about 15-20 mins and asleep by 6.30 or so. If there is any tv watching, I make sure its done with by dinner cause I am worried it might hype her up too much and generally the last hour is very low-key (bath being the only exciting thing she does). Her A time is way longer in the morning (about 5hrs) compared to A time after nap. I always thought that if her wake up time is 6ish, then she should be in bed by the time she is awake 12 hrs before wake up time (so 6pm).

If your lo is not falling asleep until sometimes 9pm, then she might actually be overtired. Also a too long nap time might be getting in the way of her being able to fall asleep by bedtime so maybe limit it to 2hrs and put her in bed by 7. Try to bring the bedtime forward 15-30 mins and see if she falls asleep easier.

Good luck
Layla