Toddlers under two with no routine for napping or bedtime WDYD?

We totally messed up with our first DC as for as sleep routines. He goes to sleep whenever he wants at night, it's usually around 9:30/10. We've tried CIO when he was younger ( he is now 22 months) but it didn't work. His naps during the day is pretty much when he wants too.

For those of you with kids with no routine what kind of napping and bedtime pattern does your DC have. Do you give them a warm bottle of milk and have them go to sleep on their own? Do you make them watch tv until they are zonked out?

Re: Toddlers under two with no routine for napping or bedtime WDYD?

DS has a routine, so I'm not sure I can answer your question. But have you tried setting up a routine? I really think these help children go to sleep, and I doubt it's too late to start one.

DS was going to bed too late at one point, and we had to move up his bedtime to get him to go to sleep easily. Now he goes to bed at 8. I would try moving it up 20 minutes every few days or so, so the shift isn't huge.

As for us, the routine consists of a cup of milk, bath, pajamas on, tooth brushing, and storytime. we read about 3 books a night, 2 if he's really tired. Then he gets his stuffed animal and goes to sleep. Naptime is pretty much the same routine, minus the bath and pjs.

I found once we had a routine and a schedule, he slept much better. The naps improved too.
Also, I'd skip tv too close to bedtime. Something about the picture alters brain waves slightly, and watching tv right before bedtime can make it harder for some to go to sleep. Some cartoons are just too action filled also, and it might make DC more awake.

Message edited 8/24/2009 2:21:35 PM.

Re: Toddlers under two with no routine for napping or bedtime WDYD?

First of all, hugs to you because it must be tough not having a schedule.

Now, please keep in mind that what I am about to say is strictly my opinion. No judgement, just my own opinion for myself.

I feel that it is the parent's responsibility to create and enforce a bedtime routine for our little ones. I know with my DS, if we didn't have a routine, he would never go to sleep, the kid just keeps going and going and going until we start the routine, then he gets that it is time for bed.

I don't think it is too late for you to start a routine. It might be a little harder than it would if you had started at 1 year, but if you stick with it, DS will eventually get it.

Our routine is this: after bath, watch Dora the Explorer until 7:30 while drinking a sippy cup of milk. When Dora is over, we go upstairs and DS gets in the glider with a couple of his stuffed animals. He picks out 3 books that we read to him. When we are done with the books, we turn out the light, turn on the night light and he sits in the glider in the dark for a little while. When we ask if he is done, he will grab his stuffed animals, we pick him up, give kisses and put him in the crib. Off to sleep he goes. Sometimes he goes down without a peep. Sometimes he cries for a minute, sometimes a few minutes. But then he is out for the night.

We did CIO with DS first when he was 7 months. Then we had to do it again at 14 months. It was harder than anything else I have ever done, but I stand by it and it made our lives wonderful. I guess I am just selfish that I need that time without DS in the evenings to wind down and get some things done.

I would probably try to begin a routine involving bath, books in the same order every night. I would think the sooner you start the better because it won't get any easier the older he gets.