Toddler sleep problem?

My son is 28 months old. He goes to bed by 11.00 pm only. He wakes up at around 8 am. His daytime nap is around 1.00pm, for 1.5 - 2 hours. Do you think this much sleep is sufficient for him? I feed him the dinner at around 7.00pm, but still he is very active and energetic even around 11.00pm. How can I adjust his routine so that I can make him sleep by around 9.00pm atleast?

Thank you.

Answers:
One of the things you can do is cut into his nap time. Wake him up after, oh let's say, an hour after he has slept. He'll be cranky but to make the adjustment, it's unavoidable. Then get him busy like a trip to the park, a walk, going to the mall. Around 5pm give him dinner and after dinner his bath and he may want to knock out as early as 8pm. Be aware that in order to change his sleep schedule, you're going to have to change his meal and activity schedule. Now, don't forget, that if you want him to go to bed early, he's going to wake up early! It seems like you did a really good job at getting him into a sleep patern, so you shouldn't have too much trouble making the adjustment. Now sometimes, babies adjust their own schedules by themselves. he might do that in about another year or so, if you have the time option. But he definately should be to bed by 9pm by the time he's 4 in preperation for school. Hope that helps! Good Luck! Oh yeah! One more thing, don't keep the house quiet during nap time. No tippy toe-ing. He may still sleep but it woun't be restful--at least until he's adjusted!

My daughter is 22 months old and she is in bed by 8pm unless we are out or its a special occasion.

Dinner is fed between 5 and 6 pm. We play or go for a walk until about 7, then bath, jammies, snack and some tv and reading until 8pm.

The later she stays up the earlier she gets up so it doesnt pay for me to keep her up any later.

As a parent and a stay at home dad of 3, I know exactly what to do. Now, it'll be hard, and it'll take some patience, but trust me.....he'll adjust. Within a week, try to put him to bed earlier each night, even if he struggles or cries a little. In the morning, if convenient for you, get him up a little ealier, but not much. Try this out and see what happens, and also, you might need to eliminate the nap, even though it might help you out getting things done around the house. All the sleep is keeping him up so late, but take control of it, and give it a little time, but be firm and I wish you luck in getting it adjusted.

More Questions & Answers...

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.

Toddler sleep problem?

Pregnancy & Parenting