EMW please help!

[Kellyjs]

No we don't just extend the last A, that could have a negative affect and make her wake earlier.

We shift the whole day. So first day, add 15mins onto the first A and that'll consequently shift everything else later including BT.  You hold that for a few days, check how the wu is going in the morning (it might not still be 6.30am yet), then you do the exact same thing again.

So your new nap times will be 9.15-10.45, 1-2.30/45, 4.15/45 then BT 15mims later than usual. So just the first A is extended on the first day. This would keep the same A times for the rest of the day. Also I think it'll fit in better with daycare you mentioned? Then the CN can be in the car on the way home perhaps? Xx

[Lacey1989]

Back again. She had a bad day yesterday therefore woke at 540 today 😔. Only napped 9-1020 (she was so tired had to put her down early) then 1255-155 then cat nap 410-435. Today have put her down at 910-15 mn. Should I ever limit her morning nap like Gina ford suggests? As I've read that they use this as nighttime sleep? Or do I just let her have 1.5 hours to prevent overtiredness? Is 3.5 hours daytime sleep too much for a 8 month old? If she were to sleep until 3pm should I try and not let her CN and bed at 615?

[Kellyjs]

I can't comment about other books I'm afraid. We don't use set routines like that, we respond to our Lo's and the signs they show us and adapt a routine that fits well for them and also with your family life. I really don't know much about that other authors methods 

For some going through the 2-1, yes we can limit the morning nap, or afternoon one (whichever suits them best) but that's because the A times are so high that it gets impossible to fit it into one day. I don't think you're quite there yet however. A times need to be nearing the 4hrs + mark.

It some ways yes, bubbas can use the first nap as an extension of their night sleep but that's because the first A is too short and needs extending. It's their way of naturally extending their own A time by waking early. Saying that though you were getting 11hrs ONS weren't you? So technically not an EW so I think it's really just a case of shifting the whole day for you and actually extending the A times to get rid of that CN at the end of the day for you now. At 8mo that's got to be on it's way out, even for a HSN LO.

How was the night sleep before the 5am wu? What time was BT? Xx

[Lacey1989]

Okay I'll stick with this plan. If I do no CN would bedtime be 6pm lets says she woke at 1430/3pm?? Will ebt mean more emw? She used to sleep 630/7 till 6/630 but only napped 45 mins a time 5/6 times a day then suddenly her sleep matured to proper naps! She's already tugging her ears tired this eve do I push her to 645pm?

[Kellyjs]

I think we need to phase out the CN by adding more A time onto the other two I'm afraid. I'm so wary of a lomg A to BT as that can then cause EW which is definitely not what we want! The 3-2 is a process and we will get there gradually. Oh I used to have a serial cat napper too. Lots of 45mins naps! 

Did you check for teeth? Tugging on ears can be a sign of teething? Xx

All about the 3-2 transition- 5/6 months

[Lacey1989]

Oh I didn't realise that! She hasn't got any teeth yet but is chewing on her front teeth with her fingers which she's never done before. She is only just drifting off unsure whether she is overtired or under tired. She has slept 910-1030 then 1300-1430 and was so tired slept 415-45. But now she's just drifted off at 715...

[Kellyjs]

I reckon you might be seeing some soon then  . Especially if she's biting her hands too. I'd check and see if you can see any white lumps but in either case they bounce around under there for a bit causing mischief. You've done well not having any teething episodes yet!

That last A might be a little long after a CN but we'll wait and see! Keep an eye out for OT NW's in the beginning part of the night. Those A times look much better before the other two than where they were though, good naps! I reckon it couldn't hurt pushing them again maybe in a day or so? But I want to see if any teeth start to show as they can be quite tired during teething spells xx

[Lacey1989]

So she went to sleep at 715pm and woke at 530am. She's happy lying there till 7am so unsure if she drifts in and out of sleep!? I'm thinking the CN has to go now. Today will try 9ish till 1030? Then 1300 to hopefull 1430/1500? Then bedtime at 6pm. Could this work? Will try to attempt it. Thanks for all your help again.

[Kellyjs]

It could work, but do be mindful that she may wake at 5am as that's 11hrs overnight sleep! I do think it's worth a go though, if it works we can go back to the idea of moving the whole day on like I mentioned in an earlier post xx

[Lacey1989]

Sorry to keep messaging lots lol! Well she was overly tired and hyper by 530pm. Naps were 0905-1015 and then 1300-1415 I don't think these were undertired naps she was acting overly tired with only 10 hours sleep last night I'm assuming she was tired!? So she then had to have a CN at 415-30 as we were in the car. Then bed at 615 and I think she fell asleep at 625 so fingers crossed till 6. I once put her to sleep at 6 she slept till 7. She is so unpredictable!? What is a good idea about naps tomorrow? I'm so confused right now xx

[Lacey1989]

Well she went to sleep last night at 615pm asleep and woke at 540pm. It's like her body clock is set at 540pm!?? Her naps have been awful only 2.20hrs all day. Keeps having 1 hour naps. I'm thinking teething. But will wait and see. Will attempt morning nap at 930am again but it is so difficult to get her there!

[Kellyjs]

Keep messaging! It's good to hear what's happening 

Ok, it's hard to tell when they're teething but UT naps could be creeping in there. I'd hold the A time for tomorrow, then we might have to think about extending again.

I still think that last A after the CN might be too long, but it's better to have one in there atm or else it would be far too long of an A to BT! You're doing great. At least this way, with the earlier BT she did have more ONS overall didn't she? Could be the reason the first nap was shorter after a longer night sleep, she might have been able to handle more A time first thing but we'll see how tonight goes xx

[Lacey1989]

Thanks for the help. Well my husband woke with her this morning and she was falling asleep at 9am so he decided to let her nap. She does seem very tired... So I'm thinking overtired? Put her down today at 630 and she didn't sleep until 7pm she usually goes straight to sleep!? CN ended at 430pm. Is it possible to aim for 12 hours ON and then 3 hours daytime sleep? Unsure what is normal for her as it is always different!!

[Kellyjs]

I don't think that'll be unrealistic. Although she does seem to be averaging closer to 11hrs ONS really doesn't she?

She could be a little OT, but actually I just think she's ready to go to sleep around 9/9.15qm ish as that's when you're getting a good nap in. From a 5.30am wu that's 3.5hrs A so about right for the age.

I actually think we need to look at the second A for you, sorry I should've mentioned that in my last post. That's still around 2hrs 45mins isn't it? I'd increase that to 3hrs for now and see how she goes. If you get a longer nap in, we could be on our way to getting rid of the CN xx

So wu 5.30
A 3.5
Nap 9- 10.30 ish
A 3
Nap 1.30-3
A 3
BT 6/6.15

[Lacey1989]

Back again so yesterday went ok. She woke at 530 but went back to sleep and woke at 715. Then napped 930-1030 (woke herself) then 120 to 245 (woke herself) as it was too late for a late CN I put her to bed early by 625 she was asleep. She woke today at 545 I think. Argh. So she can do 11.5-12 hours if she wants to. I found she was in a much better mood yesterday. I really think she needs 11.5-12 nighttime and 2.5 daytime. If I did 9-1030 and 1/130-3 could her bedtime be 630? Or is this too late! I don't want to get stuck in a 630/530 routine...