20mth Old Refusing to Sleep - HELP!!

[sleepless in tas]

Well my DD is now 20months old and although she maybe tired of a night time she still refuses to sleep! It usually takes 1-2hrs on average to get her down. Last night it took 2hrs - finally having success at 9.00pm after driving for a bit in the car. I was in tears. I'm at my witts end...I need help!

I'm a single mum working part time (monday-wednesday). DD goes to childcare half days and spends the other half day with her grandparents. By the time I finish work, pick her up and get home its close to 6pm. I get in the door, get her some dinner and while she's eating that try and sort something out for myself to eat. I interact with her and we play for a bit together each night so we get our one on one time.

She pulls on her ears when she's tired and I can always tell when she's ready to sleep (usually from 7.30pm) but that's when the issues start.

I've done the whole controlled crying thing - didn't work...she just doesn't stop screaming. If I leave her in her room she pulls all her clothes out of her draws and makes a total mess.

I've tried winding her down an hour before bed. Bath, quiet time, books etc but it just doesnt work.

She has a bottle before bed and that gets her close to sleep so I try rubbing her head or back...but she just won't give in.

I at the end of my wick...I need help! I can't negotiate with her becuase she is between words and sentances at the moment. Please can someone give me any ideas??

[Beatrix]

heya hun,

is it possible but the time 7:30pm comes she is over tired?

Does she nap during the day?



is she still in a cot or in her bed?

[sneakysparkle]

I was thinking she's overtired by then too. I think it would be worth trying to put her to bed by 7:30 and see if that helps, I know that will probably mean you will miss out on the time with her, but if she's happy and sleeps well then you can have some quality time on the days you don't work
HTH

[sleepless in tas]

I have tried to get her down as early as 7.00pm but it still makes no difference...it's still a struggle that lasts over an hour.

She's in her own mini bed becuase she can climb out of her cot even when it's at it's lowest.

She naps during the day usually for 1-2hrs. Awake by 3pm. But depending on where she is (childcare or grandparents) depends on what time she goes down so it's not consistant

[sneakysparkle]

Have you tried lying down with her pretending to go to sleep too?
hang in there, youre doing a great job!

[sleepless in tas]

Yep I try that - as well as sitting next to her patting her etc......she'd rather play with my face and point out my nose etc when I lay with her and she will find something to play with when i'm just next to her