skip cat nap or no?

[shimzy]

Just wondering, Madison usually wakes up at 7:30ish. Today she woke at 7am. Thats ok really, Im just curious though because of the earlier wake up her 3.5 hr eating/1.45hr wake time schedule is a bit wonky.

Should I just skip the cat nap and put to bed by 6:30 or stick to the schedule I have worked out below?? Would the earlier bedtime cause an earlier wake up tomorrow morning?

7:00 – eat
8:45 am – nap (1.5)
10:15 - wake
10:30 - eat
12:00pm – nap (depends on when woke from last nap) (1.5)
1:30 - wake
2:00 - eat
3:15pm – nap (depends on when woke from last nap) (1.5)
4:45 - wake
5:30 – eat
6-6:30 – catnap
7:30 – bath, massage, jammies, bedtime bottle
8pm – bedtime

[rebecaq]

Hello!

We personally never did the catnap because my spirited boy would have none of it. We opted for a very low key activity during that time instead. Sit in his room and read or sing but without giving him the message that he was going to bed. For example I wouldn't close the blinds or turn on the fan.

Try to see if she can handle being awake untl 6:30. She may surprise you!

- Beca

[shimzy]

Does an earlier bedtime typically cause an earlier morning? Becuase I really dont want her in the habit of waking at 6:30 or before 7 for that matter...

[rebecaq]

Well, that is really up to every baby. But the general rule is that an earlier bedtime promotes more sleep. It's insane I know, but for example my ds wakes at 6 if put to bed at 8:30 and wakes at 7:30 when put to bed at 7:30.  Same for naps, if I miss his nap time by 30 mins it will be a shorter nap than if put down on time or even a tad bit early.   

- Beca

[shimzy]

already - ill give it a try 

my dh thinks im crazy because sometimes her bed time is 7:15, if its a really bad day with bad naps she is in bed at 6 sometimes 6:30.......he's thinks im confusing her by changing up her bedtime. is he right or am i right to adjust accordingly?

[rebecaq]

You are right to put her to bed when she needs it. The biggest misconception of EASY is that it's about watching the clock. WRONG!!  It's a routine not a schedule. Some days she will take 45 mins to eat, others just 10. Just like some days she'll nap an extra 20 mins other days 20 less. EASY it setting up the E-A-S routine so they know what's coming, become independent sleepers and to keep accidental pareting at bay. Also it's a great tool to help YOU read your baby. If she woke crying you know it's because she's hungry. If she starts getting fussy during A time you know she's tired, but not hungry.

So stick to reading her cues, which you have been doing beautifully and act accordingly!

- Beca

[shimzy]

phew!

Ok I have a confession time lol

With my daughter I just automatically start putting her into bed at 1 30 mins - aiming for sleep at 1hr 45 mins.

If I wait until she's actually getting fussy - am I setting myself up for disaster or am I doing the right thing by just putting her down?

[rebecaq]

You know your baby better than anyone, and if putting her down at the 1.30 mark and not wait till she's fussy and it works......then stick with it!!

 

- Beca

[shimzy]

Well the reason I ask is because the last 3 days this is what happens.

Her first nap - sleeps great - no problems.
The second nap - she wakes early happy as can be!
The third nap - Is even shorter so I end up doing a cat nap to tied her over.

So perhaps 1 hr 45 mins is not long enough for her to be up and maybe she needs to be on a 2 hour awake? I just dont know and Im scared to test it out lol

[rebecaq]

Well, i wouldn't go stright to 2 hours, I'd try I.50 then 1.55 then 2 hours. Seems like not much but 15 mins is alot for these kiddos!

[shimzy]

ok

Ive been on the 1.45 for a few days now. The first day went great, then she was getting up earlier and earlier during her naps the last few days (almost like she caught up on lost sleep and is now wants more awake).

I'll check that link on extending times and let you know how things go. Thanks!

[*Mona*]

hi there.

I agree with Beca that 15 min can make a huge difference as it's a lot for babies, but... TBH we did move from 3 to 4 hrs EASY sort of cold turkey so dd's A time went from 1,5 hrs to 2 hrs in 2 or 3 days. and she loved it. so maybe you cold try doing it too.
I'd suggest you go and keep her up for 2 hrs and see how she does. if it's too long for her, you'll notice that no problem

[shimzy]

Thanks Majas Mom for your input!  I have cold turkey'd her into the A times she is at now and does fine. I dunno, I retook the test on what type she is and she's an angel/textbook equally with a streak of spirited LOL...

She does do fine though. She was up 2 hours before her bedtime last night. That being said, she woke up at 2:44am with a cough - so she caught my son's cold that he has had for the last few days. So Im not sure whether I should try keeping her up as I planned to or whether I should keep at the usual schedule. I really dont know! She woke up this morning with this nasty cough but she is still acting her normal self - just with coughing 

I think I'll just try to get the 2 hour awake time going. Last night she had the night slot for 2 hours and it didnt affect her so who knows? 

[*Mona*]

hm、make sure she's fine [regarding that cough] and go for it- that's my opinion...

BUT if she happens to be sick with a cold maybe it would be wiser to wait a bit until she's fully recovered?

about that test- it's funny how textbook/angel babies tend to turn a bit more spirited when older happens a lot.

keep us posted

[Wei]

Yes, I totally agree.... my angel/textbook baby is now also very spirited.  That would explain why everyone comments on how alert she is all the time!!!

Being first time mom and dealing with mostly toddlers before, never babies.... I didn't know the difference! 

Good luck, and let us know how it works out for you with your DD!

Wei