sleeping

Hello,

The best thing to do is to start with a 30-40 minute bedtime routine everynight where you end by putting your daughter to sleepin her cot. We sleep in sleep cycles which last around 90 mins and after each sleep cycle we check our environment. If the last thing your daughter remembers is falling asleep in her pram and she is then in her cot as she is in a different place she then wakes up and needs comfort to get make to sleep.

At bedtime start by sitting beside her until she falls asleep. You may need to offer physical reassurance but try and do less and less each night. If she is resisting what you are doing and is in a cot (I was not sure as you mentioned a bed) you can use room leaving where you leave the room for 5 -10 seconds then come back in and continue with settling to sleep. Repeat the room leaving as much as you feel is required. Once your daughter is settling to sleep without the need for physical reassurance start moving your chair away from the bed so distancing yourself from her to encourage self settling. Eventually you want to do your bedtime routine, put her to bed and leave the room.

When she wakes in the night be consistent and do exactly as you did at bedtime. It will be hard at first and can take up to 2 hours to resettle depending how determined your daughter is. Also try not to offer any rewards for her waking such as bottles of milk or cuddles to encourage self settling.

At 21 months your daughter needs around 13 hours of sleep including naps.

Hope that helps and good luck.

best wishes

Juliet