Toddler sleep issues ~ need advice ***updated

[piglet too]

Bare with me please. I know how fast things move here, so thought this would be the best place to get some advice. My DD (who is not yet two) woke up at 2am, after going to sleep at 9:30 last night. She would not go back to sleep for anything, and since she is in a toddler bed, there is no letting her "cry it out." It is now 2:30 pm and this kid has been a major brat today and has been tormenting her older brother non-stop. She acts like she is wired one minute and the next like she could fall asleep standing. I can not get her to sit on my lap or in the rocking chair for more than a minute. As soon as her eyes start to close she gets up and runs around and then is full of energy again. Please help!!! She NEEDS to sleep, any ideas on what to do to get her to sleep?

***Finally got her to sleep around 4pm or so. Now the question of how long to let her sleep? Thank you all for your imput, it is much appreciated. As she is sleeping I hear her breathing a bit harder then normal, will take her temp when she wakes up and go from there. Thanks again!

 

[Lewski709]

is she ill?

go for a drive, a long one.

 

[piglet too]

I don't think she is sick, and unfortunatly my husband took the car today so that is not an option.

 

[Roemama1]

When my DD's were in toddler beds we put gates at their doorways so that they could only stay in there room when they woke up. (Kinda like a REALLY BIG crib). I'm sure her room is already baby proofed so it wouldn't hurt to try. My older DD, now 8, never liked her toddler bed for some reason. She always would end up sleeping on her floor...good thing it was carpeted!!!

 

[Hillbeans]

Sometimes that just happens and unfortunately you're up. Perhaps she's getting sick or a tooth? I'm hoping she'll give you a long nap later today.

 

[leahannpen]

I know when my son won't sleep (he's 2 1/2) it really helps if I lay down with him. I don't know if that's an option for you, since you have another child, but it's worth a shot. Try laying in your bed, as a treat, and lay down like you are going to sleep too...

Good luck!

 

[ahutton]

I would have guessed getting a tooth too... Little DDs birthday is today and she is getting her second molars. She has been up almost every night between 2 and 4, wanders around until one of us grabs her and either puts her in bed with us or puts her back in her own. I suggest either using a pack and play for a couple nights, or let her continue starting out in her toddler bed and then put her in the pack and play if you have too. We also (now that we know this is the case) will give her a bit of Ibuprofen before dinner so she eats well (then no asking for cheese at 2am.) and then a little more before bed. That usually works like a charm!

 

[Doug123]

Does she come out of the room, then? If not, just check on her to make sure there's nothing the matter, and let her cry it out.

If she is coming out of the room, then I'd also suggest laying down with her for a bit. Don't make this a habit, though, as it might "reward her" for getting you up. Be careful in this regard on what solution you find.

A lot of kids her age wake up because they're so excited about learning new things in life.

As far as her energy level being at one extreme or the other, my kids do the same thing when they're extremely tired. It's pretty typical and natural.

 

[pnelson]

I don't really recommend "laying" down with her. It's a bad habit to get into, and she might become dependent on it for bedtime. i would put a lock on her bedroom or a gate, and let her cry it out.

 

[phillybeth]

My SIL swears by Children's Nyquil