Author Topic: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??  (Read 7773 times)

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Offline aimeeL

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HELP.  My 19.5 mo old txtbk/angel baby has been doing *okay* on one nap since switching in late March... we've done the occasional 2 nap day, but nothing regular - i.e., not every 2-3 days.. mostly gone cold turkey.  As of a couple wks ago, though, I was getting a bit frustrated because even though we've been on 1 nap for 2-3 months, she's still not napping a consistently long nap... Most days, her routine is:

6:15-6:45 - wakeup (aim for 7, but that rarely happens0
12:15-1:45 p.m. - nap
6:30-6:45 p.m. - bedtime

I tried pushing her nap a bit later, and that occasionally got us a longer nap.  Even if it didn't, though, and the nap was still 1.5 hrs, it at least got us closer to bedtime, ykwim?

I've tried an earlier nap - more like noon or a little before - and have never gotten a longer nap... just 1.5 hrs, and then I'm doubly screwed for bedtime.  I've heard that a 1.5 hr nap - while on 1 nap - means OT, so maybe I'm not moving it up enough?  Just really scared that it'll stay 1.5 hrs - and then have no idea what I would do for bedtime!

Have also started getting EWs - 5:30ish - probably because of OT... So out of desperation, I've done 2 naps twice this week...  Yesterday was:

5:30 - wakeup
9:45-10:05 - nap
1:30-3:15 - nap (had to wake)
7:45 - bedtime (tried to put her down at 7:15, but wouldn't sleep until 7:45)

Why is it that on 2 nap days, her 2nd nap is usually GREAT - i.e., have to wake her up from it!!  If it weren't for short nights and super long days, I might be tempted to stay this route!  But alas - it doesn't seem to solve any problems... because for instance, I woke at 5:50 this a.m., and she was already up... so maybe another 5:30 wakeup?  The short night could be because of the 2 naps, UT and all - BUT - she had a couple of - very short - NWs early on in the night that ALWAYS says OT for her..

So what''s the deal?!?  I'm getting soo frustrated here because an OT toddler, of course, means a cranky one... I'm 7 mos pg and moving house in 3 wks and just cannot deal with all of this...

TIA... :-*
« Last Edit: June 13, 2010, 13:11:30 pm by aimeeL »

Offline katie80

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2010, 01:14:47 am »
Oh, man, Aimee!  I've totally been there!  And I read a little of your thread about moving and can't imagine the stress right now.  I would be out there!  So, first off, lots of ((hugs))!!

Here's what I know (admittedly, it's not a lot):

Is she still working on canines?  My days are so similar to yours right now and my DD is just about to cut either the bottom two or one bottom and one top (can't tell which will come first)!  Anyway, if she is, have you tried meds at all?  I've found if I do meds, DD naps between 1.5 and 2 hrs, as opposed to 30 min to 1 hr 10 min without meds.  So, that may help with a little longer nap.  I've heard 1.5 hrs on one nap means OT too; some days I agree (DD wakes up NOT happy), but others she seems to handle it fine, so I don't know. 

And the little NWs could be a bit of OT, but also a bit of uncomfortableness due to teeth.  It's always a little hard for me to tell, but again, if I give meds, they don't happen, even if I think DD might be a bit OT. 

So, I know what you mean about the 2 nap days.  For awhile there about a month and a half ago, I wondered if I should just stay with that, because that 2nd nap was always just as long as the one nap I was getting.  But, there came a point for my LO where the 2 just didn't seem to work anymore, so I've stuck with one (however, if I get a 5:30 am or earlier, I'm sure I'll try 2).  So, if the two work, and she's happier on it, I'd tend to go that way if you get an EW, just because it's easier on you (i.e. less crankiness).  Remember, some times it takes more than one day of 2 naps to get a longer night.

But, if you think it's starting to be a pattern of 2 naps, EW, then I'd definitely push for the one.  I know it's really tough to bring the nap much earlier, but you might just want to try it, at least once (so you'll know, iyswim).  I've been there before too, but at one point (during the last bout of teething), I really watched DD closely for a few days, and realized that she looked most tired at about 5 hrs A.  So, I bit the bullet and put her down at that the next day (I think it was 11:40 am or so).  I was nervous the whole time and pretty much just sat quietly in the house, and wouldn't you know it, she slept 2.5 hours.  Now, that's not to say it's going to magically solve your problem, but you'll never know if you don't try.  Maybe you could start with 11:45 am and if you're really bold, try 11:30 am one time.

And, what if she doesn't go longer than 1.5?  Well, then at least you'll know, and you can do bedtime between 6 and 6:30 pm that night.  Oh yes, I've done that too.  :P  One day doesn't tend to hurt too much. 

I'm not sure if any of this helps, but just want you to know, you're not alone.   And I hope everything with moving goes well.  Remember to take care of yourself!!  :-*   



Offline aimeeL

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2010, 03:08:37 am »
Oh, Katie - thanks so much for your kind words... the advice AND the "just being there"... sooo nice to just get some reassurance.

Today actually went surprisingly well!  Even after the 5:30-ish wakeup, we still decided to push for one nap.  Was rough right around the time she would've gone down for her am nap, but she actually did really well after that.  So put her down at noon - she was out in seconds - AND SLEPT FOR 3 HRS.  Unbelievable.  I don't know if we've ever gotten a nap that long.  I actually woke her at 3 p.m., so to preserve some sort of bedtime. 

So today -
5:30 - wakeup
12-3 p.m. - nap
7:45 p.m. - asleep

Am hoping for a decent wakeup tomorrow so that maybe another noon nap might not be too OT?  How long is your DD going now in the mornings? 

Quote (selected)
For awhile there about a month and a half ago, I wondered if I should just stay with that, because that 2nd nap was always just as long as the one nap I was getting.
Yup - I'm so there right now...but also getting to the pt where I don't think it's helpful anymore.  If she were to do decent wakeups afterwards - like 6 or later - I might consider it more....but on the other hand, like you said, maybe it would take more than one day of 2 naps to see progress as far as the OT goes... In any case - I think I'll push for 1 nap as much as possible unless something drastic happens...

LOL about the sitting quietly in your house during her nap!  That *is* the thing about these longer naps.. they're definitely not consistent enough in my house anyways in order to relax during them!

Do you think it's at all possible that I should be doing naps later??  I mean, after we get through this OT loop, that is... I've been thinking OT a lot - put her down earlier, put her down earlier... but every once in awhile, when something in our day forces a later nap, almost always, it has given me a longer nap.  Is it just that you can push a LO so far and then OT doesn't even matter because they're so far beyond that, they just sleep?  (Which obviously, I wouldn't want to do... sounds like cruel and unusual punishment... =P)  Does that make any sense?  Anyways - I'm just rambling now.. but yeah - I guess in the far, far recesses of my mind, I've wondered if she might need 6+ hrs?  Let me know if that's just crazy thinking...

Offline katie80

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2010, 17:46:08 pm »
Wow, Aimee, now THAT'S a nap!  Hope you got a good wakeup to go along with it!

In any case - I think I'll push for 1 nap as much as possible unless something drastic happens...

So, I really think this is probably right for you, since the wakeup wasn't getting any later with the 2 naps.  Go with one, unless you really think she's not going to make it. 

Before my LO started teething this spring (which has really been a constant, save for the two weeks I did WIWO and she was sick  :P), there were a couple times she'd did a 6 to 6.5 hr A and then had a big nap to catch up (her longest is only around 2.5; can't imagine what I'd do with myself for 3 hrs  :o).  However, I quickly realized that would be too much every day.  And when she's teething and I've pushed her that far, she does those grand 30 min to 1 hr naps, and struggles to get through the rest of the day.  ::)

Do you think it's at all possible that I should be doing naps later??  I mean, after we get through this OT loop, that is... I've been thinking OT a lot - put her down earlier, put her down earlier... but every once in awhile, when something in our day forces a later nap, almost always, it has given me a longer nap.  Is it just that you can push a LO so far and then OT doesn't even matter because they're so far beyond that, they just sleep?  (Which obviously, I wouldn't want to do... sounds like cruel and unusual punishment... =P)  Does that make any sense?  Anyways - I'm just rambling now.. but yeah - I guess in the far, far recesses of my mind, I've wondered if she might need 6+ hrs?  Let me know if that's just crazy thinking...

So, I know what you're saying here, but really don't know how to answer.  I guess you could always try around a 6 hr+ A for a few days and see what happens.  Then, if it works, stay there, but if not, just bring it back a little bit.  I also really think there's something to be said for that set time at this age.  Maybe, because L is used to going to sleep around 12 pm, even with an early wake, if you can push her through that first bit of tiredness, she then makes up for it.  I don't know, I'm rambling now too, and curious to see how today went for you.



Offline babybarr

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2010, 18:56:46 pm »
Maybe, because L is used to going to sleep around 12 pm, even with an early wake, if you can push her through that first bit of tiredness, she then makes up for it.
I would suggest giving this a go.  If she wakes later then it'll be a shorter A time but if she wakes early hopefully she'll make up for it with a big nap.  Maybe try for a good few days and see what happens?  If it doesn't work then push the A times and see.
LAURA xx




Offline aimeeL

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2010, 01:58:51 am »
So - today was decent.  After her 3 hr nap yesterday, I put her down after 4.5 hrs and she was asleep by 7:45 p.m.  Woke at 6:15 a.m. - so LATER than the last few days, but still a short night - 10.5 hrs.  HOWEVER - probably justt shorter because of the 3 hr nap, don't you think?  I mean - the last few nights have been closer to 10 than 10.5 hrs, PLUS there have been 2-3 very short NWs... last night, there were NONE.  And she woke babbling away - as opposed to just quietly blinking - as if trying to go to sleep, but can't.  So yes - I think last night was a success.

Today - well, today was mostly our fault, not hers.  We did still have a tired/cranky stage right at around 10 a.m, but pushed through prettily easily, and had her asleep by 12:15 p.m.  Stupid pest control guy came right at 1:45 p.m... and had to make lots of noise in the attic.  GRR.  So she woke at 2:05 p.m - so 1 hr 50 min... still better than our normal 1.5 hrs.  And I think if it hadn't been for the noise, she may have kept sleeping.

I meant to get her down at 6:30 p.m., but we did dinner out - and, well.. you know how it goes.  I feel really bad about it because I think we were on the right track... but alas... it's 6:55 p.m. now and her eyes have just closed, so I guess it could've been worse...

Thanks for your help, ladies... will keep at it... :-*

OH - almost forgot!  Did meds before nap yesterday and today and I do wonder how much of a difference that made!  Will probably keep doing it the next couple of days, too...

Offline babybarr

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2010, 08:31:37 am »
HOWEVER - probably justt shorter because of the 3 hr nap, don't you think?
Agreed!

I also think that she would've slept better with no pest control guy ;)

Let us know how your night was. :-*
LAURA xx




Offline katie80

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2010, 12:29:36 pm »
Stupid pest control guy came right at 1:45 p.m... and had to make lots of noise in the attic.  GRR.  So she woke at 2:05 p.m - so 1 hr 50 min... still better than our normal 1.5 hrs.  And I think if it hadn't been for the noise, she may have kept sleeping.

Yes, sounds like this is probably what woke her.  We had the cable guy over yesterday and I'm sure all those people think I'm nuts.  After letting them know I have a LO napping, they never have a chance to ring the door bell or knock, because I'm stalking them up the driveway.  And I continue to stick pretty close to them the whole time they're here.   ::) 

And try not to feel bad about bedtime; I don't think it really got too late, and sometimes life gets in the way a bit.  Hope she had a good night!



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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2010, 13:17:29 pm »
Lots of hugs! This toddler sleep gets more complicated as they get older.  :-*

Offline aimeeL

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2010, 13:45:48 pm »
WOO-HOO! Am feeling - tentatively - successful!!   ;D  Woke at 6:30 a.m.!! - so 11.5 hr sleep!!!  I think I'm going to go with the longer-A-time-in-the-a.m. theory for a bit and push her to 12:30 for her nap... what do you think?  Is that crazy?

LOL, Katie, about stalking the random people who come to your house.  My DH thinks I'm a bit OTT... ;D  I usually stand by them and whisper, too, so they get the hint... and then there we are, two strangers, standing only a few feet away from each other, whispering in hushed tones about termites.

Will let you know how today pans out...

Offline katie80

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2010, 19:26:19 pm »
Yay!!!  Great night and great wakeup!!  No, I don't think it's crazy to try to push her out a little; it seems like she's doing well on that.

I usually stand by them and whisper, too, so they get the hint... and then there we are, two strangers, standing only a few feet away from each other, whispering in hushed tones about termites.

Ha Ha Ha, so funny!  We type A's are a real treat!  ;D

Let us know how the day goes!



Offline aimeeL

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2010, 21:30:42 pm »
Well - not fab... my parents are over, so my mom was out with her all morning.. which means a) she probably got pretty worn out and b) she stayed busy enough where there was no am meltdown.  She wasn't great at lunch, though... and I got her down by 12:30 p.m.. only slept till 2:10 p.m.  So not great....  I think a 6:30-ish bedtime will still be okay, and as long as she gets 11-ish hr nights, then she really should be okay... but alas - I get worried about her teetering on the verge of OT and so I want that long nap EVERY DAY!!!  How greedy am I.   :P

Offline babybarr

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2010, 11:32:00 am »
She'll prob do a catch up nap like before tomorrow or something.  You may end up deciding on a set length of nap to help with the night consistency.

Good luck!
LAURA xx




Offline aimeeL

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2010, 13:16:17 pm »
Ugh.  Yesterday was good,  I thought..

5:50 - wakeup (this was bad, but I *think* she went to sleep at close to 7, so it was almost 11 hrs)
12:05-2:20 (was VERY pleased with this nap)
7:20 - asleep (aimed for earlier, but this is what I got)

BUT! - up before 5:30 a.m.!!!  Happened to look at the monitor then, and she was already awake... What is UP with that?  I don't think OT because of the good nap and the easy bedtime and solid night... but I don't think UT, either - mostly because she's still in her crib, trying to sleep... Maybe *just* teeth?  Grr. 

Offline katie80

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Re: 1 nap = day too short; 2 nap = day too long... what to do!??
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2010, 17:55:50 pm »
Maybe *just* teeth?  Grr. 

Could be.  It's so hard to know!!   ??? 

I don't think UT for sure.  Although it was a good nap, it was still a 13.5 hr day; that's decently long in my book.  Maybe not long enough to be OT with a good nap, but again, it's so hard to know.  Sorry I can't be much help!  I do know how frustrating it can be though!!