https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 07:06:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1962022 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:48:09 +0000 yoursilverlining 1962022@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wanted to say that you're not alone. Bedtime with E has never been "easy", but for the past month or so it's gotten much worse again after getting much better for a long stretch. She will NOT put herself to sleep, no matter how close to sleep and calm and peaceful she is when I try to leave the room. She will not CIO; she will work herself up until she throws up, she doesn't have the personality/nature where CIO will work. So I'm back to laying with her until she falls asleep. Sometimes that takes half an hour, sometimes it takes 2 hours and I get zero evening :bummed: it's frustrating, and I hope it passes soon. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1962019 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 18:36:05 +0000 cait 1962019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Bedtimes can be so, so tricky. We had a terrible regression over the summer and I think the worst part was how horrible it felt to have our day end that way. No matter how nice of a day we had, it was tarnished with both of us going to bed upset and angry. One thing that has helped us is making a more clear bedtime routine that she is involved with. We made a list of what to do before bed (with pictures since she can't read yet), and we role played how the list would go, switching roles so she could tuck me in. The list included things like picking out a book and stuffed animal for her bed, so after that was crossed off, there could be no more asking for these things. Then we talked about how that would be it for the night, and I explained to her why that was - that I love spending time with her but I need some "mama time" and rest so that we both have energy to have another great day. I'd think of a fun little game we could play in the morning, or a favorite breakfast, and we'd talk about how the sooner she fell asleep, the sooner we could be up doing that. Not every night is perfect, but it has helped and the nights are a lot more peaceful so we both feel better overall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961990 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:38:12 +0000 pinkb 1961990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am hoping there is an end in sight also. LO use to go to bed with no problem. Now she cries until she pukes (or I should say she makes herself puke cause she knows we will come in), usually multiple times. It is so frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961984 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:29:36 +0000 Ree723 1961984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>E has been going through this a bit lately too, but I've chalked it up to being unsettled due to our recent move. I've been laying down with her for 10-20 minutes and reading her stories, chatting about our day, or just snuggling. That seems to get her to a place where she's comfortable and feeling secure and I can usually leave the room then without any further disturbances. I will hear her sometimes get up again to play a bit more in her room, but she'll put herself back to sleep when she's done. I think sometimes they maybe just need a bit of reassurance and help to phase down....not sure if that's the case in your situation, but may be worth a try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961746 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:53:58 +0000 Kemma 1961746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lindsay05: I guess sometimes LO's are just looking for reconnection and comfort after a busy day! I spend at least twenty minutes nursing and snuggling with my two year old before bed at night :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961714 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:31:29 +0000 LuLu Mom 1961714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is how it started for us and now for the last couple months we can't get her to stay in her bed, she curls up and goes to sleep immediately on the couch. We then move her to her bed. It's frustrating but at least she goes to sleep sooner than forcing her to stay in her room that she now says is "scary." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961620 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:49:41 +0000 Lindsay05 1961620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: Yeah, we have been basically CIO too. And yes, it is hell. She is a terror all day, and with this issue, it's utterly exhausting. Hopefully it's just another phase.</p> <p>@Kemma: haha, yes verrrry crazy. We may have to try that approach of just taking more time with her in her bed at bedtime. Reading her a book and letting her calm down a bit. At this moment, I will try anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961531 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 13:10:22 +0000 Kemma 1961531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's any consolation I don't think your LO is trying to be defiant or "naughty", it's just that toddlers are crazy wee beings! Have you tried sitting with her for a little bit? She just might need a little more comfort at bedtime at the moment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961464 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 12:47:05 +0000 edelweiss 1961464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>our LO had a "regression" of sorts after a nice long stretch of peaceful bedtime routine and nighttime sleeping. it took about a month to get back to normal, with the first few weeks being the hardest. the first few nights we fell asleep with him in his room which we knew was a bad idea for our family so then we started to let him CIO and periodically telling him from outside the door that it was time to go to bed. oh he was pissed. but gradually things got better and while they're not completely back to "normal", it's not the hell that it was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-my-toddler-to-sleep-is-now-a-nightmare#post-1961383 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 12:09:48 +0000 Lindsay05 1961383@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It has changed 180 all of a sudden. She used to go to bed so good! Now she goes to bed at 8ish every night. She takes about 3-5 items into her twin bed. She has a flashlight, some books and a couple stuffies. She will lay in her bed crying, whining, whimpering until at least 11 before she falls asleep. She will ask for everything to try to get us to come in the room. "thirsty" "my curious George book" "my puppy" and so on. We have caved and gone in to tell her to go to bed but I can quickly see a pattern forming. I imagine this is normal but is there any way of returning her back to a great bedtime toddler?</p> <p>I have considered taking away all of her items and she can earn one back based on her behaviour. </p>