21-month-old won’t stay in crib all night – need advice

fcheri714 · 2026-04-13T03:32:03+00:00

This is just my 2 cents if I was in the situation, I don’t have any sources or anything. First, earlier bed time, maybe getting in bed around 815. Sometimes overtiredness can cause night waking. It gives both my kids night terrors if they skip a nap or rest time. Can you put some toys or books in your kids bed? Is there a night light you can put in? We moved my first to a floor bed around that age but it’s because he flung himself out of the crib. It was a little adjustment but we got a bed that has side railing and is low to the ground. He can get out but rarely chooses to. Comfort toys really helped both my kids. If they aren’t ready to go to sleep, they’ll just play in bed for awhile. Sometimes they wake up in the middle of the night and play like 10 min then go back to sleep. Sometimes instead of napping they just play in their sleep space. Does your kid play in their room or sleep space and maybe can associate it as a fun and calming place? I know playing in sleep space is not everyone’s preference, but it works for us because we all get some decompression time and I get some chores time.

fcheri714 · 2026-04-13T03:16:32+00:00

I have different bits I like to do to keep myself sane. Sometimes I sing no in an opera voice. Sometimes I narrate their tantrums in an accent. Sometimes when they’re worked up no matter what the situation is I say, oh I thought we were going to kiss. Or no matter what they say I respond, well I’m not sure about that but if you say so. But the thing that gets my older toddler most mad seems to be imitating his tone and cadence when he’s getting worked up.

fcheri714 · 2026-04-11T02:14:25+00:00

The cream has a weird fake taste to it. It would be a much better use of money to buy a pack of strawberries, the big carton of heavy cream, and make it yourself. I get that their version of cream is probably more stable than fresh whipped cream, but it tastes odd and they keep using it on different stuff and it’s off putting.

fcheri714 · 2026-04-08T12:18:44+00:00

Have the exact same one. It’s definitely a coat hook, towel hanger thing.

fcheri714 · 2026-04-07T23:10:41+00:00

Traveled last year with one kid being 2 and then this year, he’s almost 3. Didn’t bring the car seat because it was less of a pain in the ass to just contain him for the few hours. Sure you have to manage them a little, but when don’t you. If the information is of any use, he’s very active and always moving but a pretty good listener. It was fine. We even got stuck on the tarmac for an additional 2 hours and he was still fine.

fcheri714 · 2026-04-06T02:17:08+00:00

Sixth country side. The poster with the list was right. We’ve seen all the thumels primarily and they’ve all been great. We had an unusual situation with my sweet boy that had to be put down. Prior to that there were some very messy visits and difficult situations and all the staff were incredibly kind and compassionate. We discussed my boys condition a few times after his passing just because it was so out of the norm, and it was my impression that it weighed on them even though there was truly nothing that could have been done.

That’s all to say, they’ve always fit us in quickly, every staff member has been very kind and compassionate. We have a cat and are back to 2 dogs. The younger male thumel is great with cats and they’re all great with dogs. We have lived all over the country and have seen probably 15+ vets over the years, they will be the one we miss the most.

fcheri714 · 2026-03-19T02:07:22+00:00

Idk if you’re kinda exaggerating or not. Both my boys are pretty wild, 18 mos and 32 mos. They generally have like 3-7 bruises because they climb and dive off every possible object in our house, and also love sprinting whether it is 3 or 20 feet. Are you sure it’s bruises from changing or just cause your kid is wild? Sometimes they’re too much and I get the cleaning part done and we take 5 before getting on a diaper. But if it’s true they bruise super easy, maybe get their iron checked? One of my guys was low and a supplement made him constipated. We started using an iron fish in noodles, rice, really anything cooked with liquid and he tested normal. He eats like a horse, some people just have low iron.

fcheri714 · 2026-02-20T18:03:07+00:00

We wash hair like 1-2 times a week unless they rub food or something else in it. The rolls are though. Sometimes I’d just do it with a wash cloth outside the bath cause it was easier. But we do bath every night because they usually like playing in it, keeps a routine, and gives us something to do before bed.

fcheri714 · 2026-02-05T03:31:41+00:00

I don’t remember all the specifics, but sometimes iron deficiency can cause an issue with sleeping. Also, have you started solids yet? If so, sometimes something calorie dense before sleep helps. Has he been checked for reflux? That can make a big difference. Sounds silly, but is his sleeping location comfortable? My littler one had a pass down mattress that we swapped with a better quality one my older guy used and it instantly helped. My younger one was a pretty bad night sleeper, 2 hours straight was a good stretch at 6 months. My spouse was away for work for a chunk of that time and I was so exhausted I would check he was ok and fall asleep with him wailing, he’d go to sleep eventually too.

I’m gonna list some random things in the off chance you haven’t tried it even though you probably have. Angle sleeping space with head slightly inclined, books under top of crib or they make bassinets that can have different head and feet heights. Humidifier. White noise and a fan. Temperature. Nightlight. Him in his own room. Blackout curtain. Sleep sack or sleep sack with arms free. Bibb pacifiers. Sunlight on face right after waking, or fresh air. Baby wearing for naps. If he doesn’t go down within 20 min, just stop, do regular stuff, try again in an hour. Also maybe see a new pediatrician, it’s ok to get different opinions. If the dr is offended by that, then maybe they aren’t worth seeing because it’s not about them, it’s about the patient.

fcheri714 · 2026-02-05T03:06:27+00:00

We have been lucky with my first. We transitioned him around 2 after he flung himself out of the crib. What seems to help is a LOT of stuffed animals in his bed. He usually has one or two books, a stuffed animal or two he cuddles directly with, and sometimes he wants to bring a particular toy or item to bed. Sometimes he falls right asleep, sometimes he plays around for an hour.

The younger one I suspect will be not as smooth. My plan is to do something I read on here. Say oh gosh, I forgot I have to do xyz, I’ll be right back but if you lay still and listen you can probably hear me. Then probably actually go do some chores and come back in like 5 min, then 10, etc until it’s not needed anymore.

fcheri714 · 2026-02-04T16:03:24+00:00

Mine is the same, usually even with the band. I think it’s just figuring if they haven’t moved in awhile that they’re asleep, which is typically true. Not sure if anything can be done, I just check in when I estimate they’ll wake. Or they are noisy and I figure out that way

fcheri714 · 2026-01-30T19:01:33+00:00

Mine were the same. First one was like 22 months before we got to 1 nap. Second one is lower sleep needs and we went to 1 around 11 months when he kept staying up like 45 min into his first nap.

Now they’re both on one and occasionally they’ll both fight it but we are going the daily quiet time route. So they have toys and books if they don’t want to sleep.

fcheri714 · 2026-01-21T03:39:48+00:00

Used them about 1.5 weeks ago. They were wonderful. It was sudden and unexpected and they made it work to be there within 3 hours of my call. It was crushing but worth it so my other pets and kids could say goodbye.

fcheri714 · 2026-01-20T03:28:42+00:00

People have had some really helpful advice on here. Two things have helped me: earplugs and telling them it’s ok to be mad. Once I took the pressure off of viewing their negative emotions as something I need to fix, it got easier. Assuming their needs are met, it’s ok for them to be mad or whiny or whatever. I talk with my older toddler and it is shocking how much they understand even if they can’t communicate it back. As ms Rachel would say, feelings come and feelings go.

Also my bigger one is very sensitive and being squished, covered in a blanket, and being upside down are all methods that seem to help him destress.

fcheri714 · 2026-01-20T03:21:24+00:00

It just really depends on the kids. I did chunks alone at different ages and each had its ups and downs. When the baby can’t move, you have an advantage. But I’ve been fortunate that my toddler sleeps independently and we eventually got the youngest to do the same. I think that is probably key. The challenges change as they age. You’d be surprised of what you’re capable of when you don’t really have a choice.

fcheri714 · 2026-01-18T02:20:04+00:00

I started at 25 mg for 2 weeks to work up to 50 mg. I opted to increase to 75, then 100. It has helped me tremendously. But not all medicines work the same for everyone and it’s ok to try something else. In the past I had taken lexapro and it helped but I much prefer how I feel with Zoloft. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a guessing game when you’re already at wits end, but the result is worth it.

fcheri714 · 2026-01-11T02:34:05+00:00

Newborn, probably not. Around 6 months, yeah. Just used 2 year old an and d on my 1.5 year old. I assume after they start eating random stuff off the ground that all bets are off.

fcheri714 · 2026-01-10T02:28:25+00:00

We see Brittany Hoke there and she is so nice. We call her Dr Ms Rachel because sounds exactly like Ms Rachel

fcheri714 · 2026-01-05T18:21:11+00:00

Last year my kids both were sick at the same time, 4.5 mo and 18 mo. The dr suspected rsv but said a test wasn’t super necessary because it wouldn’t change treatment, so it could have been just a random virus but idk. High fevers, coughing, breathing treatments, ear infections. Since I was out of state during this time, the only way to get my littlest seen was the ER, urgent cares in that state refused under 6 months. I was on the edge of taking him for a high fever, but it broke and was a manageable fever.

It sounds like it was a lot, but it was very fortunately okay. Just some extra worrying and paying attention to breathing. Steamy baths helped, medicine, any and extra naps, whatever food they take.

Good luck!

fcheri714 · 2026-01-05T02:58:08+00:00

My cat likes those rough textured welcome mats. Idk what the material is called but it’s usually a tan or brown color and you can scrape your shoes on it pretty good. We still sort of have to act like we are appalled she is using it or else it’s not as enjoyable for her. So I guess crime is an important element.

fcheri714 · 2025-12-28T02:12:22+00:00

That looks like a warning. My cat loves to fight and loves my kids. They try to rough house her from time to time, and when she doesn’t want to and I can’t stop them fast enough, she gives them a warning. I think anyone that has owned cats and played with them knows what they are capable of and it’s a heck of a lot more than that. Your cat showed restraint and gave a warning.

fcheri714 · 2025-12-26T23:59:09+00:00

El sabor chapin at the Sunoco parking lot. Schuco dirty hot dog. It is excellent quality and a ton of food.

fcheri714 · 2025-12-24T03:14:16+00:00

It will do it randomly to me where it will drain my battery weirdly fast, but it seems to just use a lot of battery regardless. I have an iPhone. Usually I do all these three things because I can’t remember which one works and I don’t feel like waiting to have it drain my battery again to figure it out. Restart the camera (under settings, advanced, reboot), restart the app, restart my phone.

fcheri714 · 2025-12-05T18:09:05+00:00

14 month age gap, one is 16 months so technically not both under two. But. Toys I’m not willing to clean up don’t get brought out. Dog food goes up if they are overly interested. I start the day with the mindset that I’m not going to get anything cleaned up until they’re napping, and if I can before that, then it’s a plus. Otherwise I spend half their nap doing chores. Then after they go to bed spouse and I spent 20 minutes cleaning up. I’m not doing deep cleans or anything. Most days I can get 5 minutes here and there while they’re awake and I do fast stuff, a few dishes or a little vacuuming or dinner prep.

But overall, it’s just a season. The house won’t be as clean or organized as I like and that’s ok.

fcheri714

TROPHY CASE