I'm back
DS is now almost 15months.
Ok, so we've had *some* success with slightly later WUs and we only get NWs on the odd occasion.
We are at the point where we are capping naps at 1.5hrs BUT we do still get some EWs plus now he's started to resist naps and BT and I don't know why. I still don't think I'm getting his sleep "right" and I just can't figure it out. His wind down routine used to be we would take him up to his room, cuddle him, he would snuggle into our shoulder getting drowsy, then we'd put him down and he'd go to sleep. But now (and this started just as Granny started looking after him 3 days a week although I really don't think it's anything to do with her as he's doing it no matter who puts him down) we take him up and the second we are in his room he is literally diving over our shoulders and struggling to get straight in the cot. We put him down, leave the room and he stands up and shouts/cries. We go back, lie him down, then he settles himself to sleep. This happens 95% of the time and is quite quick- rarely he will just go straight to sleep, sometimes we have to go back in a few times and this can take some time.
We've tried lots of things to help the EW - later/earlier nap, later/earlier BT. Seems if he wakes anytime from about 6am he seems fairly happy. If he wakes 5-something, he seems like he's still tired but he is IMPOSSIBLE to get back to sleep. Weaver, you suggested capping the nap at 1hr30 - I must admit I was reluctant to do that at first as it seemed such a short nap so I started capping at 2hrs. We were getting some OT WUs during naps at 1.5hrs where we could get him back to sleep. This made me think that capping at 1.5hrs would be too short but we were still getting EWs at this point so I thought maybe he's OT because he's having EWs and if the nap was shorter, he would sleep more at night and be more restored. So we've started capping at 1hr 30 but like I said we are getting this resistance and occasional EWs. He gives me absolutely no sleepy cues so nap and BT is total guesswork. I'm trying to stick to a BT of around 18.30 (that's the time we take him to bed).
I've searched this forum and anyone else who is having similar problems at this age is still on 2 naps but as we're on 1 I just feel like we've got nowhere to go!
So to recap - please (if you can!) any suggestions as to what the sleep resistance is about, is his routine ok, is capping the nap at 1.5hrs the right thing? Anyway I can get him to wake up later? I'd love to just let him sleep but that's not going to happen is it?! Just to note, not sure what you're going to suggest but nap time can't end any later than about 14.30/40 as we have the school run to do.
Here's our EASY for the past few days:
SUN
WU 5.50am
S messed around at nap time although looked tired. Asleep by about 12.30. Woken by knock on door at 14.05 (1hr 35) but happy
BT 18.30 - stood up and cried when I left the room, Realised he had a dirty nappy, changed him, asleep 1915
MON
WU 6.50 (this is V late for him and NEVER happens unless he's had a NW)
S took up at 12.30 - messed around a little, asleep 12.40ish. Woke at about 1hr 15, v upset. This was a strange day as he was upset a lot - possible tteething
S Stood up when I left the room as usual. Had to go back in. Asleep 19.00
TUES
WU 6.05ish
S stood up once but laid back down himself without me needing to go back into the room. Asleep 12.35. Woke him after 1.5hrs
BT in bed 18.45 but kept standing up and crying on and off. Had to keep going into him. Asleep 19.30
WEDS
W 6am
S 12.15 -went straight to sleep
BT 18.30 straight to sleep
NW 2.20 - 3.30 am. Kept settling then crying - gave meds and had to keep going into his room
THURS
WU 7.10 am - VERY Late for him but due to NW I think. But think this late waking may have given us problems over the next few days (?)
S 12.20 - cried for a bit then straight to sleep. Not sure what time he woke as DH had him this day but I do remember he didn't have a good nap (so less than 1.5hrs)
BT DH tried to get him to bed early due to short nap but he filled his nappy which delayed BT. Asleep about 18.50
FRI
WU. 5.55 sat quietly for a little while
N 12.30 v upset. Had to hold him for a little while. Woke him at 14.00 (1.5hrs)
BT 18.45ish
SAT
WU 6.10
S DH took him up at 12.15 WOULD NOT GO TO SLEEP. Was laughing and messing about in cot. Took 50 mins. Finally asleep at 13.10. Woke upset at 45mins, DH got him back to sleep. Woke himself about 14.40ish happy
BT Messed about again. Stripped his clothes and sleeping bag off. Asleep about 19.20
SUN
WU 5.15 grumpy, wanted to go back to sleep. Tried for a while - was falling asleep on me when holding him but wouldn't go back to sleep in cot. Took in our bed (rarely do this nowadays) and I think he nodded off for about 20mins. WU 6.05