Toddler night time anxiety

[Nicnax]

Hello all,

My 2.5yr old has very suddenly become very anxious around nap and bed times....she's always been a fab sleeper, liked her room to be pitch black, and was very happy to be in her cot. However, over the last week, she has been asking for her light to be left on, and has been asking worridly what every noise is. Last night, she got absolutely hysterical because there was a little spider on her wall, yet during the day, she actively seeks insects out to say hello.

As background, we were in the process of moving her into a toddler bed in her new room (I'm 35 weeks pregnant), but always offering the choice of bed or cot, so not forcing the issue. We've now taken a big step back from that, and she is opting for her cot all the time, which is fine. She also decided potty train herself (and has only had one accident since starting a week ago, so is doing amazingly, with no pressure at all), so has lots going on in her head.

We had some.thunder storms last week, which she keeps talking about, so she's obviously scared of.those, but I'm.wondering ifhis s a phase, or something more?

I'm in unknown territory here, she's such happy and secure little person, that I've not had to deal anything like this before. Anyone experienced similar, that can offer any tips? Between her anxieties and pregnancy insomnia, I got about 3hrs sleep last night, and I'm feeling very sorry for myself, especially as it is.my birthday today.

Thanks for reading, and any tips.

 

[Rooster30]

When we had storms my 2.9 year old was exceedingly anxious for a good week or so afterwards. He still talks about them now and they happened well over a month ago. It would take about an hour for him to settle down for a week or so - he'd cry at EVERY noise! BUT it did pass. We had to have a lot of chats with him about it and had to tell him he will hear a lot of noises and it's normal.

I think you are right though - there seems to be a lot going on with her at the moment - new baby/wearing pants/cot etc.

Do you have a OH? Whilst I was pregnant and during the newborn days of my little girl my OH did all the night wake ups for my toddler.

Good luck and hopefully it is just a phase and she'll get back to normal soon

 

[Ella1979]

Yes, we experienced something similar when our daughter had just turned 2. She started having nightmares, but then didn't want to go to bed at all. One of my friends suggested reading the same book every night - something calm, quiet and nice to think about before bed - so we went with Guess How Much I Love You. It took about a fortnight to settle her back into a routine, but we've continued in the same way ever since.

Recently we've had issues like: too light, too dark, wrong music, her brother "snoring" (he's not even asleep at that point), spiders, flies, monsters etc. With spiders she's very much like your LO in that she'll seek them out in the daytime, but if she spots one at night, I'll say something like "he's just sleeping" and if she's still bothered, I remove it and say "let's let him sleep somewhere else then". Monsters - we have a water spray and get her to spray her room to protect her from them.

I think it's probably a phase. My advice would always be to go with them as far as possible. So if she's wanting a light on, get a nightlight. If she's anxious about random noises perhaps re-introduce a mobile or CD with music? My 3 year old daughter still has music at bedtime because she shares a room with her younger brother. It could also be awareness of your pregnancy (my daughter's nightmares started a couple of months after her brother was born), worry about the transition to bed or even the potty training. As you said, there's lots going on.

 

[Nicnax]

Thanks ladies, it's reassuring to think it could just pass. We're going with the flow, and leaving the light in if she wants it etc. I think her little brain is in overdrive,and I remember being petrified of thunder as a child, so I can understand it. It's just horrid seeing her frightened. My husband is less patient than me, and he got up to her more than me last night, but was starting to get frustrated with her after a while, which, in my view, is the opposite to what we need.

Fingers crossed it passes soon.

 

[Juice]

Like you, we have a really happy and problem free little girl. We've never had to deal with anything like this. But just recently she's started having nightmares.

We've found that if we just do whatever she wants, she settles back down faster and with less upset. It's not like she's being naughty or anything so we just indulge her. She usually wants a snuggle in mummy and daddy's bed followed by a little story and then she's ready to go back to bed.

I'd take a guess that this is just a phase. Apparently it's common to have sleep regression at around 2 years old.

My advice would be to just do whatever she needs to make her feel better.

Happy birthday!

 

[J_Anne]

Yep, we've just come out the other side of this. My daughter is also 2.5yr. I could have written you exact post a couple of months ago! Like you say, we just went with the flow and she's now a lot happier and is getting back to her normal bedtime routine. As a result of it all, she has stopped her daytime naps though!