Our LO just turned two this month. A few weeks ago he started getting out of his crib so we knew it was probably time for a big boy bed which we are in the process of buying (he's in his pack n' play right now since its lower to the ground.) sigh. However, in the past few days his bedtime has gotten increasingly later and later – he simply won’t go down and doesn’t seem tired. He usually still naps 1.5-2 hours a day most days. These days his “bedtime” is around the 8:15 p.m. and often much later (despite our best efforts). We try and stick to the same routine every night as well. Dinner, bath, story and bed, To top it all off, he is now refusing a nap for the past three days. Last night he didn't go to sleep until 10:00pm and I was in his room putting him back to bed at least 16 times. Feel like I am going crazy. Any tips or hints?
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Does the crib convert to a toddler bet at all? Our two year old was climbing out of his crib, but he couldn't get back it, so it was a major hassle. Once we switched him, during nap time, he'll play, but often put himself to bed if he's tired now that he's able to. Also, putting a door knob cover on his door so he can't get out!
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Can you drop the mattress to the floor in the crib?
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If he doesn't seem tired, I think that's because he might actually be overtired and needs to go to bed earlier or, he's not tired, and you need to drop the nap. It's never clear, hahaha, kids!
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We found this happened when we first transitioned and she was a nightmare from being over tired. It took about three weeks of walking her back to bed, a door knob cover and setting a clear new bed time routine but it’s got a lot better!
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@Adira: sadly it does not convert and we have it on the very lowest setting it will go. LO is a major climber! Great idea on the door knob cover. I will try that!
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@Banana330: good to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel because we are exhausted!
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@looch: I would drop the nap but then he ends up falling asleep at 3:00pm on the floor at work or on the way home from work (he comes to work with me and we have our own private office/family business.) We try to keep him awake but it never works.
That's the only reason I was thinking he wasn't ready to drop the nap? "Kids" is SO right LOL.
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I wonder how he would do if you just removed the crib and put his crib mattress on the floor, so he could get in and out as he wanted (plus a door knob cover I guess!). Also I think @pinkb: was suggesting you take out the bottom support of the crib entirely, so the mattress is directly on the floor, inside the the crib rails.
All I can say is my LO has gone through some awful sleep phases and they all pass. Eventually. It just feels like they will never end.
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DD's still in a crib, but she's basically been doing the same thing (minus the climbing out) since she turned 2 (she's 26 months now). She usually doesn't fall asleep until 8:45 or 9, and calls us back in a million times to tell her stories, get her things, etc. We've had a little bit of luck with starting bedtime earlier so she can ask for all the things and still fall asleep at a reasonable time, but other than that I just offer solidarity.
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Just when they are sleeping well something happens. My son is 20 months, we moved him to floor mattress just over a month ago and lock his door from the outside at night. It had been largely successful until recently. He was never a good crib sleeper so the floor mattress was working well. His room is very safe, dresser is anchored and only things reachable are stuffed animals and books. He occasionally grabs a book to take back to bed with him if he does get up. He does try to delay bed time more and more but as others have suggested we moved up dinner, bath to ensure he is usually asleep by 8. Last night he didn't go to sleep until almost 9...
Recently he has started to have a bowel movement around 4/5 am....arggg! So now trying to change that cycle so that he will go back to sleeping. Just wanted to say that you will figure out what is best for you, if only the kids could tell us what would help them sleep!
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When B started climbing out of his crib we took the springs off the bottom and put the mattress right in the floor. Once we switched to a toddler bed we put a gate on his door.
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@paigeface: What is he doing at work all day with you? Is he maybe not expending enough energy to be tired out? My almost two year old runs around like a maniac all day long at school. I couldn't imagine him being able to get his energy out being in my office with me all day.
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My kid does this when he's going through a transition like a development leap, or we go out of town, or his nap is too late, or he's teething, overtired, big boy hed, potty training, etc, it sucks! He can't open his door yet (thanks, door knob cover!) but he will sometimes get out and run around or cry for something. I have a camera in his room with a speaker so lately I just tell him calmly to lay down instead of going in there. If I do go in he'll engage me in conversation and stall even more!
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i had to get a door monkey when my 2.5 year old starting doing this. it basically made her room a giant crib. it was all kid safe, but she couldn't get out. it took a couple nights of crying until she realized she couldn't get out. it absolutely saved bed/nap time for us.
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We had to start limiting my 2.5yo naps when we switched her (had to be up by 3p for a 730ish bedtime), and we ultimately had to lay with her until she fell asleep (5-10min usually). We are finally now getting to the point where we still typically lay with her briefly but there aren't nearly the shenanigans if we can't! 6m later...
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I agree with @Foodnerd81: - put the mattress on the floor and a door knob cover or door monkey on the door. Let him figure out that he can’t get out and he’ll stop trying.
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@Dahlia: thanks! *hugs*
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@Truth Bombs: We are in a very large office and he runs around all day as well here. He's got an enormous space. We also go on walks around the plaza. he is non-stop. We also take him to park after work on some nights. He is getting a ton of energy out.
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@birdofafeather: great idea!
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Any brands you guys suggest for the door guard/knob? We have a normal handle door no circle knobs.
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@Foodnerd81: I think this is a good idea. Last night he kept getting in and out of the pack and play as he pleased until he actually climbed back in and went to sleep on his own.
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@paigeface: I hope it helps! We have a bunch of the door handles, not circular knobs, and I never found a cover that worked while still allowing you to open it from the other side. The door monkey is a good option but it doesn't fit on our weird depth door frames.
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Every child is different. My son is 4 and STILL needs to be locked in his room at night. It upsets me because I want him to learn already but every time we try and take the lock off it's 2 weeks straight of him staying up until 2am. He refuses to sleep when he can get out.
As far as the creeping bedtime I combat this by starting earlier and earlier the more he delays. So now my bedtime timer goes off at 6:15 because I want him in bed by 7:30!
That's the only reason I was thinking he wasn't ready to drop the nap? "Kids" is SO right LOL.
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