Bedtimes for toddlers

[MissCommando]

Hi All,

My daughter is 2 and a half and we put her to bed between 7-8.30pm. Is this too late? What time should they go to sleep at this age? What time do they wake up? Our girl usually wakes around half 8 in the morn. My niece is 1 and a half, goes to bed at around 7 and wakes at 6. My sister-in-law thinks they should go to bed early and wake early but I'm glad my daughter doesn't wake at 6 as I think that's too early. Thanks

[sara3]

I think she should have a more specific time. 7-8.30 is quite a bit window.

personally, I'd think 7.30pm is late enough and if she sleeps til 8.30am.. lucky you! although that won't work so well if you have other children who you need to get to school, or when she starts playgroup/nursery.

[k8bailey]

Theres no rule really its just whatever suits you and your child - I'm terrible with early mornings, and my partner works, so our 16 month old daughter stays up until 8.30. This means that she can spend some time with daddy and she then she doesn't get up until 9, so I can have a bit of a lie in and a shower before she wakes up - everybody's happy! I do think that it might help to have a more secific bedtime though as sara said.

[MissCommando]

Thanks for your answers. We've decided on half 7 now, my husband is reading her a story and then leaving her to go to sleep on her own.
I'm terrible with early mornings too. My niece is in bed before her father gets home from work so she never sees him, he sees her in the morn for a little bit - just to grunt "hello sausage" and that's about it.
k8bailey - like you said there is no rule. Thanks both.