My 2 y/o crawls out of her crib and will not go to sleep. It's like she has seperation anxiety. Any advice?

Answer 1

My 1y/o does the same,and her doctor said she was ready for a toddler bed. Yes she is having seperation anixety.It will be awhile before she wants to be on her own.

Answer 2

Oh, boy! We are going through the same thing with ours. The only thing is, he is not coming to us, he is snooping through the house and trying to go outside, which is very dangerous.

My husband lowered the mattress. He still would wad up his blanket and climb out by putting his feet against the bars.

So, we took a little olive oil dabbed it on a cotton ball and rubbed it along the bar we observed him (secretly) using to get his footing.
He has not gotten out yet.

Seperation anxiety or not, she needs to sleep in her bed.
My kids slept with us from the beggining and they don't sleep well.
Now I have read numerous articles stating that children who sleep with thier parents have more waking spells and associated sleep disorders than children who sleep without mum and dad.

I DON'T think she is trying to "impose her will" upon you. She is a child, not a sophisticated adult. It is normal for her to seek your comfort in the evening. She also knows she can wander around freely and this may be exciting for her, especially if she is a curious natured child.
Does she often ask for a drink? She may get a dry mouth and keeping a sippy of water next to her bed may help.

Also, is she napping in the day? Perhaps she doesn't need a nap and this intereferes with her sleep at night.

Check all the obvious, room temperature (too cold, too warm) Do you leave the TV on in her room (this can wake them)

Give her comfort, but then lead her back to bed (in an adjusted crib) and firmly but sweetly tell her goodnight.
If she cries, let her.

After a week, she will quit.


Take care and good luck!

Answer 3

Could be a power play. Like she's not going to sleep no matter what you say or do, including putting her in her crib. (My son kinda does this with dinner time.) There are things out there made of mesh that can make the crib like a tent. That way, should couldn't get out. Other than that, you just have to keep putting her back in over and over, without talking to her. Like when she's in a time out and she gets up from the spot. If you don't speak to her and you put her back every time she gets out, she'll learn that she's got to stay there and go to sleep. I know how hard that can be, though. Good luck!

Answer 4

The daycare thing - phase...don't coddle him because of it or he will only continue the behavior. I worked at a daycare and it happens to most kids between 18 months - 3 years at one time or another. Bathtime fears? When did that start? Why did it start? Maybe he threw a fit one night about it, got lots of attention and is continuing the behavior...You can give him a choice. He can have a bath or a shower (turn the shower on to show him - most 2 year olds don't like showers). He can be as cranky a teether as he wants but giving in to the other problems will just compound the issue for you later. Stay strong! This too shall pass. Add: To all the daycare haters. Really...get over yourselves. You are the same women that stay home and complain! The same women that are too "tired" for their husbands! Not every mother out there has to stay at home with their babies. Not every baby is damaged from daycare. I am thankful every day for the hours my daycare providers put in with my child. I couldn't have done it without them!

Answer 5

Your two year old is learning that mommy and daddy sleep in a bed and she wants to sleep in a bed too. Your daughter should have a toddler bed and then you will have to teach her to sleep in it. Separation anxiety peaks at 18 month, because she knows that mommy comes back, but she wants mommy now. Just teach her that you'll be here in the morning, you'll always be back, and give her a comfort kiss and hug when you leave. Tell her that if you are not home when she goes to bed that you will leave a kiss with her when mommy comes home. Put on lipstick and kiss a card to leave with her.

Answer 6

My niece did the same thing. My sister finally put her in a toddler bed. She let my niece pick it out and got her all excited about it. It work for the first night, then she wanted to get out again. But say "no". Don't give in. Shut the door, turn out the light and tell her its bed time. It will take a few days, but she'll get the point and stop trying to leave the room.

Hope it works out

Answer 7

Raise the sides of the crib, or get her ready for "a big bed." No child ever wants to go to bed, it is not separation anxiety. It is an attempt to impose her will on you and do what she wants.

A sign of becoming an adult is when you want to go to sleep!

Answer 8

She's ready for a big girl bed then. Also did you just move or have a big change in your life??? We just moved from an apartment where my son was brought home, to our own house. We've been here about 4 months and he's just now finally starting to sleep through the night in his own bed.

Answer 9

try getting her a new bed. let her pick it out and pick out sheets and everything. if that still doesnt work, put a baby gate in the door frame so its too high for her to get out, and make sure she cant go under. she's going to cry, but she needs to learn to go to bed. she will tire herself out and just fall asleep, most likely on the floor where she is crying. soon, she'll not want to sleep on the floor and will sleep in her new bed.

Answer 10

babies evolved to sleep with their mothers.
their brains flood with stress hormones when they are separated from mommy.
let her sleep with you, as is only natural. you'll all sleep much better. if you don't like her there all night, move her back after she falls well asleep.