Getting a 16 Month Old on a Sleep Schedule

I've read that you could try puuting them to bed ealrier and ealier. Try 15 minutes earlier for 2 nights, then 15 minutes earlier than that for a couple of nights until she is to bed around 8:30.

SHOULD is such a great word inparenting- I hate it- you SHOULD do what is right for you. I think bed times are based on the child and tired they are and you the parent by 8 at night I want quiet time- so base it on what you need and remember her needs. I think they say 11-12 hours a day so if she is sleeping enough than what ever works. I know for my children we take a bath and play a little in their bed rooms and then we brush teeth and read 3 books. then everyone says good night we put night lights and radios on and say good night. this is a routine that has fallen into place.. we used the sitting inthe bedroom deal untill they knew that this is waht they needed to expect and that I wouldnt get them up outof bed if they cried and if they neede me I was there. My kids both nap and I think that naps are important- expecially for me!!!!Jus tmake sure you only allow her to sleep a litlle while not as long as she wants to.Bed can be a tricky thing best of luck

My suggestion is to slowly put her to bed earlier and earlier over the course of a couple of weeks. change the time by about 1/2 hour every 4 or 5 days or so, you'll also find that the earlier she goes to sleep the later she'll sleep in the morning. I didn't buy it either when my friend told me, but I tried it on my daughter, and but she was right. My daughter has been going to bed at about 7:30 for the past 4 years and she is 5 1/2 and my son is 2 1/2 and is going to bed at 7. It does work.

What works best for me is just after dinner, around 6 -6:30 we will have bath time, get ready for bed and then we do quiet play time. No TV, maybe just soft music and do a puzzle or read a few books for about 1 hour. Then at around 7:30 -7:45 we brush teeth and head to bed. I have a lamp that does a little light show on the ceiling and plays music and I will put that on. Generally my kids are both asleep by 8. It will take some time but I truly believe a consistant schedule works. The children know what to expect. But whatever you do try an NOT lay with her until she falls asleep! You set yourself up doing that and you will end up having to do it all the time! Eventually she will do it. Good Luck!

Hi M.,

I would read the book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. It was a lifesaver for me when my 6 month old decided she did not want to sleep. Hope this helps.

Hi,
the naps if any are the problem i have a 2 yr old who sleeps at 815 to 830 nightly hes such a great sleeper and takes hardly any naps.where are you from??ALSO OUTSIDE IS THE SECRET KEY THE OTHER POSTED IS RIGHT.

does she still nap? If she does, stop the naps and that should help... try waking her a little earlier every day to make her tired earlier and keep doing that until you are at the times you want.. and be sure she gets outside - that wipes my kids out, something about the fresh air! good luck

I only have a 10-month-old son who is already on a sleep schedule so I don't really have any suggestions for you. I can let you know how we got my son on his schedule though. From about 3-4 months old (boy I can't even remember back that far now!) we would lay our son down to bed in his crib wide awake at 7:30 p.m. and within 15 mins. he'll be sound asleep. He never really gave us a problem. We have days (like when he first started to sit by himself, and than crawl, and than pull himself up) where he would cry a lot but I would go in after 5 mins., lay him back down, turn on his ocean acquariam and he would fall back asleep. He now knows when the lights are out and we put him in his crib it is time to go to sleep. He will play in there during the day fine but than at night he goes to sleep. Try taking away a nap if your daughter is still taking them. Good luck!!!