My baby will be 2 in march and all of a sudden now she freaks out when its time for bed. im so lost,please hlp

Question

We went on christmas vacation and came home on the 1st. Now every time i put her to bed, she freaks out and crys like she is severly hurt. she bangs on her bedroom door. i have never heard her act like this. The only way for me to get her to bed is to sleep next to her (in her room, the couch, My husband and i's bed). She isn't like this when its nap time but at night its a different story. She won't even go in her room until like 11. and thats with me with her. i just don't know what to do. she currently doesn't have a pedi i can call to ask so i feel so lost. Please help with any information

Answer 1

set up a bedtime routine,bath,story in her room,at first sit with her for a short time till she falls asleep ,she will get used to it.if she crys tell her you won't stay till she falls asleep then
if you don't take care of it now she will wan't to sleep with you till shes 12
goodluck!

Answer 2

She's going through something called separation anxiety. She's scared to death, and it's all too real. It may seem like you are helping her by going to bed with her, but in reality, she's getting even more scared and anxious because she will wake up and find you gone, so the cycle continues to worsen. The only way to help her overcome this is by being consistent. Establish a bedtime pattern and stick with it. Maybe give her a nightlight, put on some soft music at a level that can only be heard in silence, allow her sleep with the door partially open, don't stay in the room until she falls asleep, and don't be quiet when you leave the room...go about your normal routines. If she leaves her room, give her a hug and a kiss, sing her a little song, and walk her back to her bedroom, and tuck her in all over again. It may seem nerve wrecking to you, but in a week or so, she'll be used to the knew routine, and she will know that when she goes to bed, you are still nearby.

Being cold hearted and not giving her the attention she's wanting, or by not looking her in the eye or showing her affection, is going to ruin her innocence...why would we want to teach a child at such a young age that people are mean. She's going thru something that is a true fear. Help her learn how to face that fear, don't force her to face it.

Answer 3

My 2 year old did the exact same thing after staying a weekend at my mothers house. It took about 3 weeks to reestablish a bedtime routine because my mother apparently let him go to bed whenever he pleased. I had to resort to giving him a sippy cup of milk in order for him to go to bed, I had to read a story, turn out all the lights, and stay with him for 5 minutes before he knew that I wasn't going to let him get out of bed. He eventually feel back into a routine, and all is fine now. Just have patience, good luck!

Answer 4

This is normal. I went through the same thing.

Kids at this age begin to be more aware of their surroundings, and with that, they become more fearful. She may even be beginning to have bad dreams.

and especially if there has been a change in her routine.

This is exactly what I did. I don't agree with the Ferber method of leaving them and checking on them at set intervals. If they are afraid, they are afraid.

You have to teach her to feel safe in her own room.

Start off by sitting in her room, do NOT face her or look at her. Every now and then say "I Love you, Go to Sleep." Every other night move closer and closer to the door. Eventually, stand outside the door and say "I Love you, go to Sleep" and longer and longer intervals. I eventually would just come up every 10 min. and say it from the hallway, then go back downstairs.

But no matter what they do, do not face them or look at them. Just be a presence in their room so they are less fearful, but do not "reward" them with any attention from you.

I got this from Supernanny when I was at my wits end and it worked beautifully for me! I wish I had known about it before I spent nearly a year laying on my sons floor when he went through the same thing.

Good Luck

Answer 5

Re-establish a predictable bedtime routine. Since you've been giving in to her tantrums they will get worse before they get better, she needs to understand that it doesn't matter what she does, when its bedtime its bedtime. She is upping the ante with her freakouts--and she is winning! If she gets out of her bed, put her back into it without making eye contact or speaking. It takes about 3 days on average to establish a new norm, while they may be a hellish 3 days (or more, just stick with it) it will be worth it.

Answer 6

Why dont you ask her why shes so afraid during the day? Maybe shes afraid of the dark?