Bedtime with My 2 Year Old

Updated on October 16, 2013
S.K. asks from Plano, TX
4 answers

Hi mamas,

My son is 2. He has always been a great sleeper, the kind of kid who asks to go to bed when he's tired. At naptime he goes to sleep within minutes of being put down. But for about the last month or two, bedtime has changed a lot. It used to be that it was hard to keep him up until 7pm. Now, it seems that no matter what time we put him down (we've experimented) it is taking him between 30 min and an hour to fall asleep. He does not fuss, he does not complain when we leave the room, he is happy as a clam rolling around and singing to himself, sucking his thumb off and on, until he finally goes to sleep.

We just feel sometimes like we are just dumping him in there when he's not ready. But as I said we've experimented; we've waited until 8 or 8:15 to lay him down and it still takes him that same amount of time, so then he's not asleep till 9ish.

Other possibly related stats - he wakes up between 7 and 7:30am and he naps around 1pm for about an hr and half. He is usually happy and sweet in the morning but occasionally (like today) he is very fussy and when we go in to get him he says "no, more night-night!" and wants to be put back in his bed!

So I know they change a lot around this age, and we even think our older son (5 now) did a similar thing at some point but it is amazing what you forget!! We keep concluding that since he's not upset or fussy in there, this is just his process and its fine. But it still bugs us. So I thought I'd throw it out there and see what you all think.

Thanks in advance!!

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More Answers

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think you're incredibly lucky!

1 mom found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

He may enjoy having some time alone before he goes to sleep at night. I know I do. I like to relax with a book or some tv before I close my eyes and go to sleep. My kids used to talk to themselves and sing songs for at least a half hour after I put them to bed at night. Now they read books or play on their iPods. If he is happy you shouldn't feel bad. It sounds as though he is getting enough sleep. At two my boys had given up naps and were sleeping 10 hours a night. I never woke my kids up because we didn't have to be anywhere. I just let them wake on their own.

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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like he enjoys "wind down" time. So the part of him is probably
just fine.

However, since he takes a nap still, I think I'd lay him down just a bit later. Maybe 8pm. He'll prob still "wind down" but at least he's not having
to lay down too long.

He could, also, be going through a growth spurt.

Make sure he's active during the day so he's expending energy. You
know him best so you'll know what activities to engage him in that are
appropriate for his age.

Fyi, I've had to adjust my youngest's bedtime several times as he grew &
aged. I can always tell when he's going through a growth spurt.

Again, it sounds like he likes his down time to relax and fall asleep. Just
make sure you're not putting him down too early and all is well.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

Wow! Be thankful! He's doing great. Where is it written one has to fall immediately asleep once one goes to bed? This is working. He's happy and healthy. Why are you concerned? Everyone's sleep patterns change from time to time. It's OK.

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