https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:04:47 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-play-play-play-play-crash#post-2650749 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 12:16:40 +0000 Ms.Badger 2650749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When you say crash, does he go down easily when he finally gets tired? Because, if so, I'd just let it be and just put him down when he crashes. My son is like this and, honestly, it makes life pretty easy. He is not affected by any sort of bedtime routine, so I don't do it. Sometime during the night he gets his jammies on, we usually read books earlier when he's more likely to pay attention, and when he gets obviously tired, we just say goodnight, give kisses, turn on his sound machine and the lights off and he goes to bed in his crib. Easy-peasy. He's 18 months and this still works no problem </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-play-play-play-play-crash#post-2650677 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:40:25 +0000 Mama Bird 2650677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When is bedtime? My kids both seem to need later bedtime than most - 8:30 or 9 pm, if I start putting them to bed earlier it never goes well. They've both also gone through this playing before bedtime phase, though a little later, it started when they turned one. It seems to be a combo of sleep regression because they're practicing new skills, a transition to really being able to self soothe like a big kid, and having lots of energy because they nap and we don't. For my oldest, this went on for a few months, but one day when he was closer to two, I realized things had improved big time and I didn't have to hang out by the crib till I fell asleep myself.</p> <p>As for the light issue, do you have a nightlight or a lamp you can turn on a low setting? I think it helps them start to wind down, and you're not going to be chasing your LO in the dark. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-play-play-play-play-crash#post-2650656 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 09:57:08 +0000 DesertDreams88 2650656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Banana330: 9.5 months. Honestly there's no way I'd get DH or my caregivers on board with a shorter schedule, they already think I care too much about naps and sleep and they think LO could stay up longer before each nap. 2-3-4 (or really, 2.5-3-4) is our "meet in the middle." Honestly he's happy and playful all day long, and only cranky sometimes before bed.... but mostly just wants to keep playing. I will try bumping up bedtime a bit, but when there's a lot of resistance with the 3 other people who take care of LO, it leads to inconsistency. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-play-play-play-play-crash#post-2650614 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 08:37:18 +0000 Banana330 2650614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: How old?? we did 2-3.5-3.5 or 2-3-3.5 my DD was going down around 6:30 until recently (18months) now it's closer to 7. She's still crazy before bed but getting better with us talking through the routine, telling her what's coming up next and distracting her with toys during diaper change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-play-play-play-play-crash#post-2650570 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 22:30:21 +0000 Mrs. Turtle 2650570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>With T, he's only recently been able to make it 4 hours after his last nap. For whatever reason, he can do a much longer stretch in the middle of the day. I realized that his natural schedule looks more like 2-4-3 or even 2-5-2 sometimes. If I try to do 4 at the end of the day, he gets wild and crazy before bedtime and has trouble winding down. If I catch him before the wild and crazy (i.e. less than 4 hours since nap) he goes down easy. Just a thought. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bedtime-routine-play-play-play-play-crash#post-2650562 Wed, 09 Nov 2016 21:54:34 +0000 DesertDreams88 2650562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do 2-3-4. We do dinner 1.5-2 hours before bed. Bedtime is always between 7-8. We keep all elements the same as much as possible. Regardless, all LO wants to do is play play play play play crash. A typical night: </p> <p>Try bottle 30-45 min before bed, about an hr after dinner.... He sucks for 10-15 sec, pushes it away, twists out of arms, tries to play around smiley and/or cranky.</p> <p>Change into diaper and pjs.... he spins, flips, and tries to crawl on the table or floor.</p> <p>Try to read books.... pushes them away, flips around, tries to crawl in bed.</p> <p>Give up on books, try sound machine and bottle again.... Alternate drinking small portions with pushing bottle away and trying to escape to play, so energetically.</p> <p>Turn off lights, attempt bottle again, this time at scheduled asleep time.... Maybe or maybe not drink. Calms down mostly once lights are off, but I don't want to do the whole routine in the dark!</p> <p>Rock a bit, put in crib. </p> <p>I am exhausted by this and he has so much energy. He is like an energy vampire. What am I doing wrong? What should change?? Move bedtime up, down, what? </p>