Bedtime regression at 2.5

Normal?

She used to be so good at going to bed. We'd read books, I'd sing her song, put her down and leave the room. Now she crying for me, saying she's scared of the dark (she has night lights, we started leaving door open, hall light is on, etc). Last night was a disaster. She climbed out of her crib at least 5 times. She never does that, which is why she's still in it--but looks like we need a big girl bed now. She finally passed out because DH took over and rubbed her back until she conked out.

Is this typical for the age? We moved to a new house 4 months ago, but she was fine from night one. I'm not sure if it's a delayed reaction. We also started a once-weekly separation class this summer and bedtime seems worse since then. I'm wondering if that's triggering her sudden bedtime anxiety.

Do you suggest I soothe her until she falls asleep? I don't want to create bad habits but she seems legitimately scared.

Re: Bedtime regression at 2.5

I don't really have any suggestions, but we are going through something similar with my DS. He's 25 months.

He goes down fine, but will wake up in the middle of the night (not every night) and tell us he's scared of the dark. We have a small light on in there and it's really bright so I can't figure out what it is.

What we've been doing is bringing him in our bed and then at some point I transfer him back to his bed and he sleeps there until wake up time. But that only really works b/c he goes down fine initially.

Re: Bedtime regression at 2.5

YES! DD is awful now.
Won't sleep in her room- even with the lights on.
Says she is scared of her room.
I don't know if that is just an excuse or if she has some fear she developed.
She ends up in our room almost every night.
It's awful.
I wish I had some advice- but I'd like to hear what others suggest!

Re: Bedtime regression at 2.5

I am going through the same with my 2, almost 3 year old. He wants to sleep in my room all the time but I don't want to do that since we got stuck with older brother with the same thing. I could use the advice too!

Re: Bedtime regression at 2.5

No advice. This same thing happened to us. DS was waking up every 2 hours and would wake up and cry 10 seconds after I left the room. DH and I were so sleep-deprived. He'd go down fine but start waking up around 11. He got sick and I put him in my bed one night and that was the beginning of the end. Sleeps great now bc he's in our bed He's 3.5. At this point we are just used to it and everyone sleeps great but I do want him out! I always said I'd never have my child sleeping in my bed but I had to eat my words.

Bedtime regression at 2.5

I gave dd a glow worm and a twilight ladybug in her bed. She also has a nightlight on
Make a really big deal about a big girl bed.

Re: Bedtime regression at 2.5

Wow, sorry to hear we're all in the same boat. Tonight was better because she was exhausted. I did have to rub her back until she was out though. I'm dreading the big girl bed because I think she'll be in and out of our room all night.

ETA: Spoke too soon. She was up at 3--came into our room (climbed out of crib) and it took me forever to get her back. I had to lay on her rug until she finally passed out. Every time I walked out of her room, she'd pop up and swing her leg over the crib bar. DH is converting it to toddler bed tonight. I'm due with DC no. 2 in less than 6 months--she's definitely getting me prepared for middle of the night waking again.

Message edited 7/11/2013 10:57:24 AM.

Re: Bedtime regression at 2.5

Dd had a really hard time when she turned 2. A toddler bed helped but then we had to worry about her getting out. Now, we have her in a queen size bed... So for the nights she wants to come in to our bed, I just go in and lay down with her. Idk..... I was always so worried about creating bad habits but I think if they are truly afraid it's better to soothe them

Re: Bedtime regression at 2.5

Yup! I posted about this same issue with my DD who is almost 2.5. She used to be the best sleeper, would be put down awake and fall asleep for 12hrs every night.
She starting climbing out of her crib and that was it. It's been hell since she's been in a big girl bed. I have to sit with her every night until she falls asleep and she ends up waking up during the night and coming into my bed.
We are exhausted! Idk what to do anymore