PC- Jones was a difficult sleeper- from birth. It was well into the 2nd year before I could count on a consistent sleep through the night. There were no explanations and I feel as if I tried everything under the sun (short of drugs, LOL). He is, and has always been, a 10 hour sleeper. So, if he was napping during the day? He slept less at night. He gave up naps at 2. Thankfully, at 5, I can tell you that 90% of the time, he is a a great sleeper- but that other 10% can be tough.
So, I tell you all this as a prelude to MY advice- no training/experience other than motherhood. The thing that worked best for Jones was strict adherence to a routine. No deviations, ever. And, yeah, that was a super big pain in the butt for us. But, a bad night's sleep made it terrible for us for 2 days sometimes. No naps after 3 pm. Even if that meant waking him up. Earlier to bed (within reason) meant longer sleeps in the am. This seems so contrary to thought. Jones did not ever sleep in longer in the am when I moved his bedtime back. He went to bed at 7 pm for the longest time. And, if I put him to bed at 9? He still woke at 5. It just meant he slept less over night. 5 seemed his wake up time for months. I remember thinking this was it for us- sleepwise.
One of the things I also learned is that a baby's sleep history/pattern is so ever changing. What works today, now, a year ago, etc., might not even matter a month later, as the whole cycle has changed. I remember being so flipping anxious about time changes (when you have a child that doesn't sleep through the night for 14-16 months, these are anxious times). We survived them, and it did alter the pattern. Slowly we moved back to where we had been.
I remember everyone telling me, "wait until he starts walking", "wait until he is in preschool", "wait until he starts playing outside", all these events were to help him sleep. Just yesterday, Jones was playing with another kid his age and they were wrestling around like crazy outside. The other mom said, "they will sleep well tonight". Yeah? Jones was up til 915, as I laid there trying to not fall asleep before he did. He woke up sunny and fresh at 730am. If he sleeps 12 hours (and it does happen from time to time), I get anxious- thinking there must be something wrong with him.
And, not everyone has a child so sensitive to sleep events. LOL. In the last 60 days, 3 days of 3-5 am wake ups are still fresh in my mind. He is a great child, but a horrible sleeper.
So, what am I saying? That all the information in the world could be forthcoming, and none of it helpful in adjusting your daughter's sleep schedule.
Originally Posted by Cataholic
PC- Jones was a difficult sleeper- from birth. It was well into the 2nd year before I could count on a consistent sleep through the night. There were no explanations and I feel as if I tried everything under the sun (short of drugs, LOL). He is, and has always been, a 10 hour sleeper. So, if he was napping during the day? He slept less at night. He gave up naps at 2. Thankfully, at 5, I can tell you that 90% of the time, he is a a great sleeper- but that other 10% can be tough.
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