BabyWhispererForums.com
SLEEP => Sleeping For Toddlers => Topic started by: laura034 on August 13, 2010, 05:25:14 am
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Hi all my son Ethan is 53 weeks old and things have gone wrong, he has always been a short napper starting at 2 months old at 45mins then dropping to 30mins and for the last 2 months are down to 20-25mins long. He jolts a lot in his sleep and when watching him I see at the 20min mark he throws his arms in the air and then makes himself jump and then is so shocked he can't resettle. To tackle the short naps we have tried W2S, HTTJ, leaving to cry for 10-15mins, resettling, going to 2 naps less A time and more A time the only thing that has had some success is rocking him to sleep in the push chair and then rocking him at 20 and 30 minuites, but then he woke at 45min to live with the short naps we have been giving him 3 short naps, and that was working quite well. He was quite happy, but for the last week he has been screaming before his naps for upto 20mins. I find it so hard and feel so upset by his crying and when it is only followed by a 20min nap its just not worth it. On the plus side he sleeps great at night for 11hrs although this is sometimes less on bad nap days. Ethan is also an early waker if I put him down early so I have been keeping him up until 7pm so we get a 6am wake up. My main questions are if I drop to 2 naps and they are both 20 mins I struggle to keep him up until after 6.30 and then we get 5.30am wake up and what could be causing the crying before naps he used to just chat himself to sleep. Ethan self soothes to sleep with no props. Our routine for the last month has been
Wake 6 am
Nap 8.30 (25 mins)
Nap 12.00 (30 mins)
Nap 3.30 (20mins)
Bed 7pm
Thanks for your help laura
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oh laura - it sounds like things are rough for you!
i am looking at your routine and thinking that your LO's A time is very short - usually by 12 months LOs can do closer to 4 or even 4.5 hours of A time, sometimes more than that still.
so for example, a day would look a bit like this
wake 6am
nap 10 am (for about an hour)
nap 3 for about an hour
bed between 6 and 6:30
it could be that the short naps are a direct result of him being under tired.
have you tried extending those A times?
as for the crying before sleeping, i think probably the crrying he was left to do during the short naps has broken a bond of trust with him and now he is crying because you are leaving him. (if you are familiar with the bw techniques, Tracy (and this site) didn't advocate ever leaving a little one to cry because of just that) . the good news here is that the trust can be rebuilt with wiwo (assuming you are familiar with this technique, there is lots of info on the site here for you about it).
how is the nighttime sleep? does he sleep through?
you have come to the right place, i think you will find lots of moms here willing to help you!!
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Thanks so much for replying to me. I have tried longer wake times, but only up to 3.5hrs that is when we dropped to 2 naps and when we started going from 30min naps down to 20mins so I went back to shrorter A times because I know its just 10mins difference, but 20min naps followed by a grumpy baby are so hard to deal with. Yesterday went quite good he went down with no crying after a 3hr.15min A time he only slept 20mins, but at least he was happy, then after that he slept in his pushchair after 3hr 45mins A time I rocked him at 20, 30 and 45min (he woke briefly after 30mins but was asleep within a minuite) and slept for 1hr in total. He was in bed at 6.30 and still slept until 6am! My plan is to keep the afternoon nap in the pushchair while he gets used to transitioning through sleep cycles and having 2 naps hoping that eventually he will be able to do it himself in his cot oneday. Is this just wishful thinking? Thanks again Laura
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I think still he is under tired. A 20 min nap to me is indicative of under tired. I can't help but wonder if he needs four plus hours activity time. You may see tired signs at the earlier time because he is so used to napping early but if you distract him with interactive mommy time to get over the hump for 15-20 mins you migh see he can do a whole lot longer.
He may have been grumpy after the twenty min nap because he went from ut to a catnap which wasn't helpful to awake when he needed to be having a very long nap iyswim? It would take a few days to see a marked improvement in the sleep patterns as you lengthen a time.
Have you been aiming for a 12 hour day and a 12 hour night? We found ( and still find) that that works best for our los
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I do see what you mean. I will keep extending that morning awake time he does seem to go through tired stages. After 2 hours A time this morning he was yawning and rubbing his eyes, but then he came round and was happy for another hour and 15mins then slept for 30mins so that was a bit better. I would love a 12hr night, but it is usually 10.5 - 11.5 which I can't complain about as that is with no awakenings most of the time. I really apreciate you taking the time to help me. Thanks Laura
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Hi. Well for the last few days we have been extending the A times and our new routine is now
Wake 6am
Nap 9.30 (20min- 1hr mostly 30mins)
Next nap in pushchair after 3.5hr A time with rocking after 30min to extend sometimes works sometimes doesn't.
Bed 7pm or earlier on days with short naps.
My question is should I extend the A times further? and has anyone else had a chronic short napper?, did it get better. I feel quite frustrated Ethan has only slept 50mins altogether today and has been so grumpy and on the days he sleeps well he is just a different baby. Sorry to moan I just thought he would be having longer naps now I dropped down to 2 naps. Thanks Laura
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how are the nights?
i think you could extend a bit more personally. wake at 6 am, nap at 10 for an hour, then see how he does if he can do another 4 hour A time or if it shoudl be just 3.5 hours.
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The nights are perfect 11hrs straight through
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Hi. This is whats been happening for the last few days. We have extended that first A time up to 4hrs which he has handled quite well and still we have been getting 25-30min nap I am still APOP a afternoon in the pushchair and am managing on most days to get it upto 1hr long. Yesterday we were out at the seaside for the day he slept 30mins on the way there and after 5hrs A time he slept in the car on the way home for still only 30mins the car never stopped moving and he woke upset still clearly tired. I think it must be a sleep cycle issue but I just don't know what to do about it. I'm dreading going to 1 nap as I think he will really struggle with only 30min nap a day. The nights thankfully are still great 11.45hrs today and no crying before naps lately. Thanks for your help Laura
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It sounds like the pushchair may be the issue now? He wakes at the 20min mark (that's after the deepest sleep) and is expecting to be rocked back to sleep. How does he go to sleep at night - is that in his bed without assistance, if so we know he can do it!!
What I did with my bad napper was to fix nap times at this age, (give or take 10mins or so) and I did this for a week and lo and behold my bad napper disappeared! So I think we did
wake 6am
nap 9.30am (1-1.5hrs, it was bliss finally!!)
nap 2-2.30pm depending on am nap (I think)
bed 6.30pm
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i tend to agree with Laura, it is almost as though the catch here is that he wakes and is waiting ot be rocked back to sleep.....does he go down independently at night?
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Hi thanks for your reply I don't think the pushchair can be the problem as i have only started doing that to combat OT in the last 2 weeks he has been short napping since about 2 months old and he still has his morning nap in his cot. He goes to sleep at night and for his morning nap with no props I just lay him down and leave the room. I haven't tried set naptimes as he has a wide range in wake times anytime between 5.30 and 7am so I usually count about 3.5hrs frome wake time. I like your routine, after a year of short naps 1.5hrs would be so nice I could actually have a clean house again or have a shower that lasts longer than 2 minutes. Thanks again Laura
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Given he can do independent sleep I would stop doing the pushchair now before it does become an issue :P
Try my routine (regardless of wake up time we did it - as I was going crazy trying to follow A times esp. as I work 4 days a week) and it's always worth giving wiwo a shot if he short naps. We also did this when DS went to one nap and it seemed to help. Just remember if you get a short am nap to bring the second nap forward a bit if that's still a short nap bring bedtime forward too. Give a try - you've got nothing to lose right? ;)
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Hi, yesterday was a tough one we decided to set nap times at around 10.15am and 2.15 and both were 25mins long and he woke screaming his head off I just wish I knew what causes this he calmed down after a while but wouldn't go back to sleep. he did cope quite well with the short naps, but I know from experience that it seems to add up over a few days before he starts to get really grumpy from it. Is there anything else I can try. Has anyone else experienced this. Thanks Laura
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Did you try wiwo when he woke early? I think this will be the key - this is to help him go back to sleep independently but you will need to commit to it for at least 3-5 days. Also after a 25min morn nap you'd need to bring that second nap forward a bit too.
If he's waking at 6am I would maybe set that first nap earlier and consequently the second one too.
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Hi well yesterday was a tricky one Ethan woke at 6.20am and thankfully he was in a great mood and didn't seem tired until his naptime which I've set at 10.15am he was asleep in minuites but woke less than 20mins later screaming his head off. I didn't do walk in walk out as he was inconsolable and took quite a while to calm down. He was then happy until next nap at 2pm which was in the car as we went out this lasted 30mins. I put him to bed early with the hope that he would catch up what he'd missed, but just ended up with an earlier wake up this morning (6am) should I stick with the set nap time, should I go back to 3naps seems he doesn't seem to be able to sleep longer. I hate seeing him look so tired and this morning he is whiney and tired already. I wish I knew what was happening with him. Could this be all the nap he needs seems I've been fighting this so long. Thanks in advance for your help. Laura
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I think you should give it a few more days, I know for me it took a week to get any kind of good nap from DS. If after a few more days it doesn't work we'll go back to the drawing board. What time did he go to bed last night? It may not have been early enough (although don't shoot me for saying that after you had an earlier morning!)
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Bedtime was 6.45pm, I daren't go earlier everytime I've done that it works once then I get 5.30am starts. I'll stick with the naps as best I can I didn't make it until 10.15 today for his first nap he was so grumpy. I put him in his cot at 9.35 and by 9.40am he was fast asleep. He slept 25mins I tried to resettle him, but he just got so upset I gave up after 10mins. Ethan is so cross today he keeps crying over every little thing. I really appreciate you giving your time to help me. Laura
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Do you think he may have reflux or an ear infection or something? Has he been checked at the Drs recently?
I can totally understand why you are apprehensive about early bedtimes but I worry that the situation will get worse if we can't get any extra sleep into him and given he won't do good naps that's the only place we can do it right? For us it's the same - the only point I can get any extra sleep into my DS is with an early night. He doesn't necessarily wake up earlier either esp. if he's OT.
really appreciate you giving your time to help me. Laura
I wish it was making more of a difference :-\
How was the rest of your day (and night) ?
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Hi, I cheated for the afternoon nap and rocked him in his pushchair so got 1hr 20min out of him as we were out for tea and knew we wouldn't be back in time for an early bedtime. I actually took him to the doctors worrying about an ear infection, but they said he was fine. They laughed at me when I said I was worried about naps, she said I should be happy he sleeps at night, and when he's tired he'll sleep, but I know thats not true of Ethan. even as a newborn he needed to be put to sleep or he'd stay awake for hours. When he is asleep in his pushchair I watched him and he does a massive jolt at 20mins and he starts rubbing his eyes if I rock him then he doesn't wake up, but in his cot I guess this scares him awake before he's ready. Thanks Laura
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You could try going in before the 20min mark when he's in his cot and putting pressure on him so he doesn't wake himself - or tuck him in really snug again for the same reason, I would def give it a go to see whether that helps him to transition.
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Hi well things have got worse and Ethans started to refuse his morning nap in his cot, probably because I've been letting him sleep in his pushchair for his afternoon nap to try and get more sleep into him. I tried to do walk in walk out with him, but the problem is on the walk in he screams hysterically and tries to cling onto me and is then more upset than if I leave again. Today I only lasted 15mins before I got him up I don't cope well with his crying it makes me feel all panicked inside. Does anyone have any suggestions for when I try to get him to nap in his cot later?
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You could try sitting next to the cot - hand on him if necessary and just keep repeating "go to sleep now," or something similar.
How was your night last night? Sorry he is still giving you a tough time but yes it may be the pushchair... How has he been sleeping in the pushchair atm? Did you try the going in at 20mins?
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you have had some great advice from laura and maybe sitting next to him by his cot repeating something like 'go to sleep now' until he starts napping better might be a good idea. i personally think that napping in their cribs is key here - so i would probably stop using the pushchair at all for sleeping and just focus on getting him sleeping in the day. once he is more rested, then slowly start removing yourself from the room as he gets himself to sleep.
hugs, hang in there. it is hard work soemtimes, but it will get better.
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Hi just an update I extended Ethans A time and he is going to sleep in his cot fine again, but still waking early 18mins am nap 30mins pm. The nights are still great thank goodness 11.5hrs -12hrs. I just wish I knew what was causing this, this morning he was screaming on waking from his first nap with his eyes still closed still on his tummy so I waited to see if he'd settle back down and he did for 1min and then he was screaming again I tried to shush him back to sleep, but it didn't work. I guess we will just have to carry on with this I'm just so scared his night sleep will get messed up too if he gets OT. thanks Laura
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Stick with it. I wonder if you can try to extend the naps with the ssh or wiwo and really give it a good go. i.e. for 45mins at a time and for at least 3 days. I did wiwo for 45mins with my DS for nap time - the first day he didn't go back to sleep, the second day I did it for 5mins or so and he slept about another half hr and the 3rd day he took a longer nap. I wonder if it's worth trying. You will have to be focussed for it and strong. I made sure I'd had a cup of tea and some chocolate before he woke lol!
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Hi well I have been muddling on but things have been getting worse again. Yesterday went like this
Awake 6.20
Nap 10am WIWO for 15 mins with screaming was horrible. Napped for 25mins I didn't have the heart to try and extend after the crying before.
Nap 1.45pm 30mins wouldn't go back to sleep
In bed for night 6.45pm
Woke this morning 5.30am. Please is there anything else I can try Ethan looks awful, he has bags under his eyes and is miserable, and I am so depressed I keep crying and I can't sleep at night because I am dreading the next day. Thanks Laura
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Massive ((((hugs)))) hun. I am not surprised you're upset.
I wonder (and this is a bit risky) but what about trying a much earlier first nap. I mean he is clearly OT from so many bad naps and although night time is helping him through it's obv. not enough. Start with 3hrs A time from his waking - watch him and as soon as he seems a bit sleepy get him to bed and lets see what happens. He'll either fall asleep straight away in which case we know he needs some super early naps (am and pm) to get him a bit more caught up OR he'll scream to get up. In which case we *may* need to see what happens with a much longer A time to see if he'll be more tired to nap longer. TBH I *think* we'll have more luck with the early nap to begin with anyway.
Also I would be really trying to get him in bed for nearer 6pm. It looks like he is at least trying to catch up sleep at night time.
Have you tried white noise with him? It may be a little too late to introduce it but it also may be worth a shot.
Hang in there.
On a side note - you don't think there's more going on with him? Perhaps reflux or tummy issues?
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thanks for getting back to me apart from teething which we give meds for I think he is just really tired he does show sleep cues after only 2.5hr a time in the morning, and if we are in the car he sleeps then but I am always worried that he'll just scream if I put him down before he's ready. Today hasn't gone so good we did 3hr 45 A time and he didn't cry before the nap, but when he woke after 20mins he was screaming and shaking for 20mins after I got him up, and then the afternoon nap after another 3hrs A time was still only 30mins. I will do a bit earlier bedtime but as we have always struggled with 5.30am starts I daren't go too early. Thanks again Laura
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I think tomorrow try the earlier nap definitely. TBH it sounds like something is a bit amiss with the shaking too.
If you're used to early starts anyway I would just try to go with early bedtime as then he's at least catching up a bit.
I also think if he's only giving you a 20/30min nap then your A time after needs to be much shorter.
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Hi there,
Wow - poor you! You have had some great advice from the girls already. just thought I would take a look and see if I can be of any help.
So it seems he is a good night sleeper which is great but he must be really quite OT with the short naps. While you try and help him to catch up on sleep I would shorten that first A time as Laura has suggested. As soon as he shows tired signs I would put him into bed. I agree about getting him to sleep in his cot but I also know how stressful it can be (I have a short napper)
I used to focus on getting one nap in the cot and the other out and about so in the car or the buggy. Ideally choose when you would like to get a longer nap and do that at home.
As hard as it is and I have been there you do need to be consistent with whatever you choose so if you are doing WIWO then you need to stick with it. Yes they are crying BUT you are not leaving them alone and you are teaching them a very important skill which they need. My lo was the same. Great at night and terrible at napping but he has got better and I do put that down to working hard at the cot sleeping and being consistent with WIWO.
For some strange reason my lo is very sensitive with his naps so if he is teething they are the first thing to fall apart, even when nights can be ok. It does not necessarily mean that because they are sleeping well at night that there is not a teeth issue so just to put it out of the mix I would medicate before the next nap. If it makes no difference then no worries but it is something to cross off the list.
I agree about the early bedtimes. I really do think that if we can get him more rested then you have a much better chance of pushing his routine back with regular A times for his age. At the moment I think he needs to get as much sleep as is possible.
Hope that helps
becky x
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Well last night I was hoping for an early night for Ethan, but he had a second wind at at about 5.30pm and was really happy so he ended up asleep for 6.45pm. Today he woke at 6am so a bit better I can't put him in his cot for a nap until 9.15 as I have to take my older son to school although its only 8.15am now and hes really cranky already. Also if I do a nap then and its short and then he has his second nap and thats also short do I just have a really long A time before bedtime or do I try for a 3rd nap? I went to see a lady at our childrens centre yesterday and she said
try for 1 nap, but I think he's to OT for that. thanks Ladies
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or do I try for a 3rd nap?
I would do this. I agree with you I don't think one nap will work if you can't even get him to nap more than 30mins.
Good luck today.
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I agree. 1 nap is not going to work at the moment. x
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Well today went well, he went in his cot at 9.15 and was asleep in 5mins with just a bit of wimpering, he woke as normal after 20min screaming, but when I looked round the door he was still laying on his tummy crying with his eyes part closed so I held back and in about 2mins he was asleep again for another 30mins. I do feel a bit bad that I didn't go straight in to him, but I know if he saw me he would try to climb out. His mood has been much better and he didn't get tired again until 1.45pm, he only had 30mins but at least he had one good nap will aim for an earlier night tonight. Thanks Laura
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Really pleased about the slightly longer nap and it sounds like you did the right thing. TBH though I would really be aiming for a MAX A time of 3hrs after that first nap. If that nap is like 30mins I would cut it down even more. I really feel that you need to cut those A times to help him catch up and def. do 3 naps if nec. I know it seems backwards but as soon as he is better rested we can push things a bit. :)
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Will do that. Tomorrow will be a bit all over the place as we are out for the day, but that is the one good thing about the short naps he can sleep on the go. Will let you know how we get on. Thanks again its so nice to have people who understand. Laura x
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Hi all yesterday was great, we had a 12hr night so Ethan woke at 6.45 then he fell asleep in the car after only 2hr 45min A time when we arrived we just parked up and waited for him to wake up which he did after 35mins. On the way home he fell asleep again after 2hr 45min A time and even though we stopped the car he slept for 1hr!! I don't know if I dare put him in his cot after such a short A time I'm not sure if he would sleep without the movement of the car to rock him to sleep. What do you Thinl? Thanks Laura
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I think at this point it's DEFINTELY worth a shot. We know he's OT, we know he short naps so let's work with what he seems to do naturally. So aim for a first A of 2hrs 45mins and see what happens. If you get a short nap aim for the same or maybe even a tad shorter, if he does a long nap aim for 3hrs.
Great night though!!! I def. think he's getting there and it won't be long before things are looking up. ;)
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Hi thanks for your advice I ended up with a 3hr 20 first A time as he didn't seem tired before then. He slept for 20mins woke screaming, but by the time he got upstairs he had settled down and then slept for another 50min his second nap was short 25mins, but I was happy to get 1 long nap. We have had an early waking this morning so will try for 3 naps if they are short. I think Ethan is getting a cold so I will see how we go today. Thanks laura
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I really think you need to try cutting that A time just to see if that helps - you almost need to catch them just before they seem tired, cos often by then it's too late! Esp. if you think he's getting a cold too.
Great that you're getting some resettling though.
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Hi well I'm really fed up now yesterday was awful! After his early waking I aimed to get him asleep in his cot for a 3hr A time he seemed tired, but I put him in and he just chatted to himself for ages he fell asleep after 30mins then slept 20mins did his screaming thing for a few seconds then went back to chatting. I waited 10mins to see if he would go back to sleep but he was awake and jolly. So for his second nap I aimed for a 2hr 30min A time. I tried for 30mins to get him to sleep, but he wouldn't sleep, by the time I did get him to take his nap he had been awake 4hrs and then he slept 35mins and wouldn't go back to sleep. By this time it was too late to get a 3rd nap in so I went with an early bed time of 6.20pm, because he was a total mess and ended up this morning with a 5.45am wake up. I don't know what to do I am really down, I just want my little boy to be happy and I don't know what else to do. Thanks Laura
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(((hugs)))
Essentially he did an 11.5hr night which I know is no consolation but we need to look at the whole picture. Did his cold develop? If so things are likely to be out of whack. I guess we have 2 options.... we can try persevering with a short A time or we bite the bullet and try and push him out. What do you think? I mean clearly something is amiss but we are struggling to find it.
Now forgive me if this is what you were previously doing but what about trying 4hrs A time before the first nap BUT adjust the 2nd A time if he short naps - so like you did yesterday. Try this for a few days and see what happens.
Have you completely stopped rocking him or are you still doing this? Only ask cos we don't want to confuse him
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He has got a cold, but its not bothering him too much. Rocking him stopped working so I don't think that is the problem anymore and I've been trying to concentrate on naps in the cot I went for a 3hr 20 A time this morning as thats when he seemed tired, he was asleep in 5mins and slept 30mins, but woke happy which was so much nicer I didn't go and get him because I wanted to see if he would go back to sleep, but he didnt. How long A time would you do before next nap. I think I will wait until he is better before pushing his A time anymore, Thanks Laura
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I would do 2.5hrs - we would normally suggest 3hrs on a 1.5hr nap.
As he went to sleep quickly and woke happy at that time I would give the longer A time a shot - only in the first A time though.
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Hi there, I've been following but haven't posted - yet.
Just some ideas for you to think about...
DS sleeps well at night with no APOP right? Is he in a dark room during naps?
My DS will not and can not nap unless the room resembles night.
Also your WDR is it the same as night time WDR?
What do you fo if DS wakes of a night to settle him?
Now I'm only asking these Qs because my DS needs the same WDR for all sleeps and needs the same settling and resettling techniques too.
Hugs sweetie, sounds really tough ATM xxx
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How did it go today?
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Hi well thanks all for your answers. Yesterday was good we had that 30min first nap and then I didn't get your answer until after I'd put him down after 3hr 20 A time, but he slept right through for 1 hour which was amazing for him, but this still only took him until 1.50pm so we did a 6.30 bed time, but unfortunatley we had a terrible night which is so unlike him he was up off and on from 10.40pm until 2.30am, he only needed a cuddle and then went straight back off, but woke again after 20mins. I am praying it was a one off due to the cold. So far today I did a 3hr A time since his night was so bad and got a 45min nap so not to bad.
To answer your questions we do things a bit different in the day than at night. Naps aren't as dark although we have tried that a few times and it didn't make any difference also at night time it is bath bottle prayers then bed. at nap time we watch cbeebies have nursery rhymes and then I stroke his head a bit then leave. Thanks so much all for your advice Love Laura
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Great news on the longer nap. I do reckon the NWs from discomfort with a cold. Let me know how you go today.
You could *try* no TV before naps and see if that helps - anything's worth a shot right!
Laura xx
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I was going to say besides the bath could you try and mimic BT rituals? I think trying a dark room may help? I agree no TV maybe books instead? BW recommends that you need to “set the scene” and try and make it as comfortable and welcoming as possible for them to sleep and want to sleep. YK? Do you have BWSAYP?
Does he take a bottle before nap times?
Just asking B/C my Ds has 3 bottles, one when he wakes in the am, the second after his lunch and immediately before his nap, the last after dinner and immediately before BT. I find these 2 bottles (before sleep) seem to settle him in to a calmer state and if he is actually still hungry he has the opportunity to fill up... Just a few ideas and thoughts running through my mind.
Hope the cold goes away fast, it's awful when they are unwell.
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Thank you so much for all your advice. My laptop is broken so won't be able to get on as often now which is gutting. Things are changing a bit I think Ethan hasn't cried before naps for a bit so that is great and he is waking happier and will lay in his cot chatting for a while which is good, yesterday we had 1 40min nap and then a 25min nap and today so far we have had 2 30 min naps so I will try for a 3rd. I think I will just have to take each day as it comes and try not to panic that he isn't sleeping enough, because it really gets me down if I focus on it. I hope one day he will start taking long naps, but i can't make him sleep and I want to enjoy him even if he is grumpy quite often. Thanks all. Love Laura
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What was the A time before you got the 40min nap? i do think you can get there - it *is* frustrating but worth playing around with it for a bit. ((hugs))
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Hi it was 3hr 20. While I was writing last post Ethan fell back to sleep so we are going for a 1hr plus Nap !!!
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WOW!! That's really great news. I would push that A time a bit more in the morning. What we do is tired signs plus about 10mins - just to make sure he is really tired
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Hi I had to wake him after 2hrs!! to get my eldest from school. I even managed to get my house clean !!
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Now just correct me if I'm wrong but this is the boy that has been doing 20/25/30min naps yes? Then this is all I have to say :o :o :o
So His nap this morning was 40mins after a 3hr 20min A time - his nap this afternoon was 2hrs after what A time? You may have just found the magic number! I am really pleased for you. :D
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YAY! what a GREAT update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i agree with Laura, looks like you found the magic number there!
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It was 3hr 30 A time I hope we've cracked it!! He did wake in 30min intervals, but he put himself back to sleep, each time I heard him on the monitor I peeked around the door and he was just playing with his ear and then went back to sleep, and to think earlier today I was giving up. Thanks so much I will let you know how we get on tomorrow. Love Laura
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Keep at it hun, you now know he can do it and there is hope! :)
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Great News! xxx
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Hi ladies I am so happy! I went for 3hr 20 A time and Ethan is still asleep 1hr 15mins later!!!!! I don't know what to do with myself. He didn't cry at all. Just a few questions after a year of short naps I have no idea how long to let him sleep or what A times I should do now he's better rested. Should I be doing one short nap and one long one or should I let him sleep as long as he likes. Thanks ladies I hope this lasts!
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See it was just a case of finding that magic number lol! Today I would let him sleep what he wants. If he does a good nap I'd aim for the same A time after. Keep us posted. If the naps start to intefere with night sleep then we can cut the first nap but leave the second one as long as poss but let's just see how he goes first. ;)
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Hi well things are still going good today went like this
7am wake
Nap 10.30 (40min)
Nap 2.30 (1hr)
Bed 6.45pm as he was really cranky.
I keep pinching myself with these good naps its great! He still wakes at the 20 or 30min mark, but seems content to lie there until he goes back to sleep. Thanks all for your advice love Laura
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Great news Laura! so happy for you! Re your the prevous post, i agree with PP, also he may need to catch up and need some recovey sleep so let him go for it and see how he goes during the 2nd A time. If you do get a second nap in the only thing "I" would do would not to let him go too long before BT...
Well done girl! you guys have come a long way from your initial post!
HUGS xx
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I would just watch that middle A time. After a 40min nap (or anything less than an hour) I think I would be inclined to just do a slightly shorter A time than the 3hrs 20mins. This A time seems to work well when he's had a good nap so *try* to just bear that in mind ;)
I am SO pleased for you though. ((((hugs)))) and well done !
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Hi all. Just an update, Ethan actually smiled when I put him down for his nap today, it was so cute I just lay him down he smiled at me, rolled over and went off to sleep!! He is still doing great the first nap tends to still be short which I don't mind, because it means I can be out the house some of the morning and then he has been having at least an hour and 15mins in the afternoon and we are gettin 11.5-12hr nights I feel so blessed after all this time of tiny naps. Thanks Ladies
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In a way the first nap being a bit short is fine cos that's what'll happen when he starts the 2-1 so at least you are on the right track.
It sounds like things are going really well, I'm pleased you didn't give up ;)
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Well we are back we have had a lovely couple of weeks of lovely peaceful, long naps, but just when I was putting the stress of the short naps behind me they are back and so is the screaming even though I have been sticking to the same routine of first A time 3hr 20min. Second A time 3hr30min and around 3.5 to 4hrs last A time. Nights are still good around 11.5hrs straight through. Does anyone have any ideas. Thanks Laura
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Is the screaming before the naps? My betting is that now she is more rested she needs those A times pushing a bit more. So why not try 3.5hrs first A time and 3.75hrs second A time.
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The screaming is mostly when he wakes, it took me 20mins to calm him down this afternoon, but I will give it a go. Thanks Laura
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Teeth coming perhaps? The screaming after naps would suggest OT but I think try the stretching first and just see what happens.
(oh and sorry I just reread my post and see I called him "she" very slack of me - need to watch those typos!!)
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I agree with Laura! Teeth!
Also with B he will scream with OT. OS also play a roll with B and his screaming episodes - rarely he's affected by OS (not sure why) but if there was a function on or several visitors at once or too much noise and activity from our business (we run an Earthmoving co from home) I can almost guarantee a wake up 40mins after he is put down for a sleep.
Those are my suggestions, also I’ve heard and experienced after sleep training and in general they can regress sometimes then they get over the bump.
Hugs sweetie xxx
HTH
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Thanks for your answers. Ethan is teething his eye teeth I think, so it could be that although pain meds don't seem to help, I don't know whats changed when he was sleeping well he did wake at 20 or 30mins, but he woke peacefully and just went back to sleep, but now he wakes in a complete panic, its so strange. Thanks Laura
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Oh poor little man, does sound like teeth. Pain meds help but only so much YK? My DS had a horrible time with molars recently, I'm sure the gel and meds and remidies helped but he was really struggling.
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Eye teeth are HORRIBLE!!! I would give both paracetamol and ibuprofen 30mins before naps and see if that helps.
Did you try pushing the A time a bit?
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Yesterday went quite well we did a 3.5hr A time for the first nap which was 30mins and then a 3hr A time followed by 30min nap woke crying for 1min then awake but quiet for 25min and then 45min nap. So that was good, do you think he was UT for that second nap seems he took so long to go back to sleep. Thanks Laura
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He's a difficult call to make. I wonder if cos he only had a short morning nap if he was a little OT at that second nap but can't remember what A times you'd been doing before.
However the 30min morning nap was after you pushed the first A time - right? If so then I would try pushing it to 3.75hrs and see what happens...
What has happened today?
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So far today hasn't been brilliant he just wouldn't settle for his first nap for ages it was a 4hr A time by the time I'd got him to sleep and then we had a 20min nap so I am aiming for a shorter second A time. I will let you know how we get on. Thanks so much for all your advice Laura
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Keep me posted today. I wonder if tomorrow you *try* a first A of 4hrs and just see what happens. If you get nap resistance or a short nap then we drop back down. Sorry it's gone a bit wonky, have you tried meds before the naps at all?
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Hi well today was a rubbish nap day 20mins this morning 25min this afternoon and the afternoon nap I gave him meds for and he still woke screaming and took 20mins to calm down, but after that he was quite jolly which was good. Thanks ladies I will try again tomorrow.
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Did you do super early bedtime?
((hugs)) just remember he did it before he'll do it again. Tomorrow is a new day.
Hope you at least get a good night.
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Oh hugs, Laura's right! You did it before so it will happen again.
We are also getting some strange sleep happenings here! Forever tweeking!
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Hi thanks for your answers I couldn't do an early bedtime as my older son had youth group so I didn't get Ethan to bed until 6.45, but then he slept 12hrs which was brilliant. Today we did a 3hr 25min A time as he seemed really sleepy and he slept for 1hr!! his next nap will have to be short though as I have to get my eldest from school, but I am happy with that 1hr. Thanks Laura
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Great stuff and what a great night!! That's brilliant. Keep us posted.
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How's it going? No news = good news?
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12 hour night! Great and s good 1 hour nap. YK I was wondering if OS plays a role in this?
I've also come into some EW and is restless during day naps. So I'm re-reading the last toddler section of BWSAYP and Tracy does talk about changes and milestones and how easy toddlers get OS Once they yuen 1,2 and how familymembers cdn wind them up by getting them to go more etc. This is so true!!! I've been doing longer calmer WDR for day naps, by switching the TV off much earlier and reading more books and making shush sounds longer in Bs ear, I think it's made a huge difference. Also the weather had cooled which has also helped. Also calmer baths at BT with lavender oil and wash.
Just some thoughts...Let u know how it goes in the next few days...
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Sorry about typos - Internet is down and using
my phone.
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Great news Alice :)
What about you Laura?
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Sorry I've not answered computer has been down. Things are getting worse here and its so frustrating we are back to where we started yesterday was like this
Wake 6.30
Nap 10 (20mins)
Nap 1.45pm 30mins
Bed 6.30
Woke this morning 5.50am
Its now 7.40 and he's grumpy and tired already I just can't figure him out. He is clearly very tired, but won't get the sleep he needs. It seems if we get good naps he sleeps till around 7am, but if his naps are rubbish we get EW and a very grumpy Ethan. Any ideas ladies. Thanks Laura
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Hi Laura, I'll try and explain what I think happened.
You were getting good naps and good nights, Ethan caught up on the sleep he needed - took a little while - and then we *should've* pushed those A times out as he was more rested. What has happened is now he was taking UT naps and then he has got OT.
What is going on with those teeth atm? I can't remember?
A couple of things - what was the magic A number before - was it 3hrs 20mins? If so I would try dropping that first A time back to 3 hours MAX. If he short naps you *need* to make sure that 2nd A time is significantly less - maybe even 2hrs. If he short naps again bedtime needs to be as early as poss. Do this for a few days and see what happens and then hopefully we can locate that magic A time again.
Having read what I have written though I now have another question - the day before yesterday what time did he go to bed? how long was his nightsleep? It may be after sleeping 11.5/12hrs that he actually needs a slightly longer am A time (I would still start short though and work upwards due to us knowing those short naps were OT before)
Is he having naps in the cot?
((hugs))
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Hi thanks for getting back to me. He naps mostly in the cot unless we have to go somewhere. This morning by 8.15am he was so tired he had a 20min sleep in his pushchair while going to school so the whole day is thrown off now. Ethan is still teething those eye teeth I can see the top 2 but they haven't broke through yet, pain meds don't seem to help much though. He is also learning to walk so maybe that is something to do with it aswell. Thanks Laura
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Ok after a 20min nap I would do no more than 2.5hrs A time before 2nd nap and let me know what happens.
The eye teeth really are the pits!
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Well by the time he got to sleep he had a 3hr 40A time too long I know, but then he had a 40min nap, the problem I have now is do I keep him up now till bedtime (he woke at 1.15pm) or APOP a short nap at about 4pm and then have a later bed time. I'm not a fan of early bedtime as then we get EW. What do you think?
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Sorry not sure of your location so don't know if this is too late. If you can try and AP an extra nap. If it's too late already - what did you do?
Interestingly he did a longer nap on a longer A time.
If he sleeps well tonight - i.e. 11.5hrs or more straight through I would def try a 3.75hr A time in the morning.
Keep me posted. :)
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Well we managed to get a 20min nap at 4.15pm in the pushchair so that was good, and he still went down fine at 7pm. He woke at 6.15am this morning so that wasn't bad. I,m in Notts. England. I will keep him up as long as possible this morning and see what happens. Thanks Laura
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Good luck! At least knowing you're in UK means I can *try* and give you suggestions at the "correct" time lol!
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Hi well yesterday was horrid!! We did a 3hr 30A time first nap and got 30mins I did 20min WIWO without success, then I thought like the day before I would do a 3hr 40A so I put him in his cot after 3hrs 30min and then he cried and kept standing up so I had to do 20mins WIWO to get him to sleep and then we only got 18min nap followed by the usual screaming and 20mins to calm him down. So 40mins crying for 18mins nap. I tried to APOP a 3rd nap, but he wouldn't have it and I couldn't do an early bedtime as my older son had youth group so I had a very OT little boy and now this morning I heard him at 5.45am although I ignored him until 6.30am and because of appointments I can only do 2naps today so I'm praying at least 1 is long any ideas anyone. Its the crying before naps that really upsets me I was only saying in the morning that at least he goes to sleep happy now and then right away he starts crying for his second nap!! Thanks ladies its so good to be able to share. Laura
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How long did he sleep last night in the end?
I assume you have probably done the first nap already? I'm really starting to wonder now whether the screaming before naps is UT.
So I would do the first nap after 4hrs of A time and see what happens. Make sure after the first nap if it was short you keep that second A time really short. So I would work on 3hrs A time on a 30min nap and 2.5hrs A time on anything less. Also given you know his eyeteeth are cutting I would give calpol and nurofen at least 30mins before nap.
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Hi Ethan had 11hrs night sleep and I did 4hr A time because he showed sleepy signs after 2hrs, but then got a second wind, he went straight to sleep and did 30mins I did 15mins WIWO without him going back to sleep. So I will aim for a 3hr A time and see how we go
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The going straight to sleep would therefore agree with the point about being UT at that first nap, tomorrow (provided you get an 11hr night or more) I would try that first A time of 4hrs 15mins. I know it seems like he has really jumped but they do!
Fingers crossed for a better second nap.
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No we still only got 25min nap this afternoon so its going to be a long time till bedtime. Thanks Laura
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Sorry to hear that. Try tomorrow doing that longer A time in the morning and I *wonder* if he sleeps well if we should try putting him on one nap and see what happens :-\
Maybe see if you can get another 30mins into him at some point? If not do super early bed - as early as you think is needed.
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Laura how old is DS? You say he's 1, but how old in months?
I took B to the dr to get him checked over abd he offered some good info re age and sleep issues etc
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Hi he is 14.5 months old. I took him to the doctors last week and she said the usual all babies are different and if he needed to sleep he would sleep. I can't figure him out he had 11.5hrs sleep last night waking at 6.00am and by 7.30am he was yawning and rubbing his eyes and now he is so cranky he just wants carrying all the time. Could it be that he needs a super short A time. I feel so down I had to get dressed this morning with him hanging onto my legs screaming to be picked up. I feel like a terrible mother, because he never seems happy anymore. Thanks Laura
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((hugs)) Hun
Why don't you tomorrow *try* putting him down 15mins after you see him looking tired - I only say wait 15mins to ensure he is really tired and just see what happens.
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Hi well for the last 2 days Ethans gone the other way and just doesn't seem to get sleepy at all! Yesterday I did a 4hr A time and he went quickly to sleep but only slept 25mins so then I aimed for a 3hr 30 A time and he just kept standing up and crying I did WIWO for 30mins and he just wouldn,t stay laying down so in the end I stayed with my hand on his back until he went to sleep, but still only got 30min nap. I just can't figure him out was that OT or UT up until then he was just walking around quite happy?????
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Ok I think you need to try one nap - if he really short naps you then you'll have to do another catnap at some point.
So *try* a 4.5hr A time and see what happens. We may just need to push him even further.
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How was yesterday? Been thinking of you.
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Thanks we are muddling on. We are pushing that first A time, we still haven't had any long naps from it, but he has been settling well, which was the main thing for me. The other good thing from having a longer first A time is that it spaces out the day better so he's been happier. I will let you know if we have any breakthroughs
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What A time are you trying in the am at the mo?
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We have only managed a 4hr so far as he is tired then but I will keep pushing him.
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I would def try a 4.5hr and see - just keep that last half hour very low key. I know it's hard and i remember it well with my DS having to go from 2 naps to 1 and having to significantly increase the A time just to get through the day.
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How have things been the last couple of days?
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still the same we are doing a 4hr 15 first A time, but still getting the 20-30 min naps. I really think his teeth aren't helping. hopefully when they are through we will get a break before his second molars appear. thanks laura
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Hugs Laura xxxx hopefully soon you'll get a break. B had a terrible 48hour bug- then I caught it...
He cried pretty much all night, it was horrible!!! I did some serious APOP for 2 days and now he's really on the mend so I'm having to do WIWO.
He seems to be accepting of it. So you're not alone Hun.
Just wondering... What do u you do when he wakes from a short nap? Do u try extending? Do u pick him up straight away? Or walk straight out the room with him etc?
Just a thought that possibly your waking cues maybe adding to the confusion? Ie if he cries, you don't re-settle, pick him up and walk out the room with him- he may just expect that every time he wakes. It's just so bazzar that he'll STTN yet not extend naps YK? Just another thought ticking around in my head that I thought I would mention...
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I am a bit unconsistant after naps, if I had to do WIWO before the nap I think its a bit much to do it after, so normally we have a quiet cuddle
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Laura I am wondering about you really pushing that A time out to see what happens. Like maybe 5hrs and just see. Something has to give and another mum's thread I'm posting on has just done this and got a mammoth nap instead of a poxy short one. Just wondered if it was worth a shot?
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I was just wondering becuse once you walk in he may fight extending becuse he expects you will pick him up and cuddle him? Especially if his room isn't pitch black (like night).
I know with my DS he's very clued on to cues for sleeptime and waking up time and eating etc. I think it maybe a matter of being consistant and trying to extend day naps and EW. Once he can self settle during the day you maybe able to slot in rough day time naps and rid of the OT cycle. I've been reading BWSAYP toddler section and thought of you while reading.
If not...maybe borrow or grab a hold of BWSAYP and read the back section... It's worth a shot if you are still not seeing results. I have read some great info re Toddlers xxxx hugs xxx
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Thanks both for your advice. I think pushing that first A time is worth a go and I will try it as soon as Ethan is well (he has a chest infection and has been sick). Thanks Laura
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Good luck hun, just think 1 day when he's a teenager you'll
be dragging him out of bed for school!!!
Hugs xxx
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How's Ethan doing today? Is he on antibiotics?
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Thanks for asking he has finished his antibiotics, but then we have all had a sickness bug. I think we're on the mend now! Ethans naps have been good the last 2 days 1hr in the morning and 30 in the afternoon so hopefully they will carry on after he is better
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Great news! Did you try extending that first A time?
Hope *you* feel better soon.
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We are all a lot better today. We have only been doing a 3hr 45min A time with Ethan being poorly, but today we only got an 18min nap which sucks, not looking forward to the clock change on Sunday. Anyone got any tips, its a struggle keeping him up until 7pm as it is never mind an hour later. Thanks Laura x
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Now that you are better I would really try pushing that A time to 4.5hrs and see what happens - tomorrow is the perfect day to try doing much later naps, as it should help you get a later bedtime, if not hun yes it'll be an early start on Sun BUT just add half an hour on to everything and within a couple of days things should even out.
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Thanks. I don't think Ethan is still quite right. He is crying so much, even in his night sleep and previously he used to wake happy in the morning, but for the last 2 days he has woke screaming, could it be OT
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Perhaps - or maybe he is still just poorly, I'd probably put my money on that one. What happened today with naps and bed?
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Oh no Laura, sorry to hear you guys have been unwell.
Sounds like the bug has really knocked him around.
Hugs xxx
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Well we were out yesterday and he slept really well. He slept in the car after a 4hr 15min A time for 35mins. Then we did a 3hr 30min A time and he slept 1hr in the car even though we were parked up not moving, so that was great. As he napped so well I kept him up until 7.30pm hoping to get a lie in ready for the clock change. It didn't work he woke screaming at 5.15am I did WIWO for 30mins then got him up as he wasn't going back to sleep, so now we have a very tired little boy. The crying in the night is still going on. I don't go to him because he has been settling himself after less than a minute, but it takes me ages to go back to sleep and this is about 3 or 4 times a night. Any ideas what to do about naps to get him back on track should I go on A times or push him to get on clock times. Thanks so much for all your advice Laura x
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Hi all. We have had such a hard day. We did 4.5hr A time and got a 25min nap and then a 4hr A time and got 30min. Ethan has been so unhappy crying a lot, I don't know if its just tiredness or teething or if he is still poorly, he has no symptoms other than he is so unhappy. I just want him to be happy again. Thanks Laura
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it sure sounds like something isn't right - i wonder if he isn't fully recovered.
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((hugs)) Laura.
It does sound like he's still poorly. One thing to remember though is after a short nap like 30mins or so maek sure the next A time is not longer than about 2.5-3hrs.
I def think the crying in the night is OT and I would continue with the early bed - I understand why you wanted to do a later bedtime though last night ;)
Were his naps in the cot today?
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OH dear...Yes I agree with pps, sounds as though he's still not well. Can you take him back for a follow up app with his dr? Maybe get him to take a good look at his gums for swelling or new cutting teeth?
Also does your DS have SA? (Seperation anxiety?)
Hugs sweetie xx
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Thanks so much for all your kind answers I'm so grateful to find people who understand. I think I'm going to take him back to the doctors. Something is not right. He slept ok last night we didn't have any night wakings, but he did wake upset at 5.20am ugggh I did 25mins WIWO, but no success. I just don't know how we are going to get through the day from such an early start on 2 short naps. He has only had 10hrs 45min night sleep. Before the clock change he was having mostly 11.5hrs. His first nap yesterday was in his cot, the second was in his pram, we were out as Ethans mood was so bad we couldn't stay home anymore. Thanks again so much Laura
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Hi , well I really pushed Ethans first A time. I took him into the garden and walked him up and down stairs trying to make sure he was really worn out and kept him up for 4.5hrs and got 30mins nap. I did WIWO and he was just frantic with it so I stayed in with him,but he just won't go back to sleep. I don't know what to do. I am so depressed with him being so unhappy. Thanks for listening Laura
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Have you checked he isn't poorly anymore?
One thing that I always go back to is something that worked before. I know I suggested pushing that A time but it clearly isn't working. Can you remember the "magic" A time you were getting good naps on?
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It was 3hr 20, but with the EW in the morning that is in the middle of the school run, plus now he is used to longer A times I don't think he would go down early anymore. I guess I'm just stuck with it. I don't think he is poorly afterall, just teething as he has no temperature or anything like that. Laurax
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(((hugs))) why don't you play it by ear for the next few days and then post what has happened and we'll see if we can see any patterns.
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Hi, well things go from bad to worse we had an amazing night 12hr 15mins which is great. Then a 4hr 15min A time and got a 30min nap and then he just wouldn't have a second nap at all I tried twice even APOP in the pushchair, but he wouldn't have any of it and now its 3.45pm and he's crying constantly. I just wondered how long do you guys try and get them to nap before you give up. Thanks Laura
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Do you know what? I really think you may need to consider going to one nap now and see what happens. We had this - DS would have say a 30min nap in the morning and then refuse sleep for the rest of the day and this went on for weeks!! In the end I just pushed him through cold turkey to one nap.
So you could try a set nap time of 11am every day no matter what wake up and see what happens. If he short naps you can aim for another catnap 3hrs later.
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I agree with Pp sweetie, try one nap at a set time in his cot. I allow 1 1/2 hours if I have to do WIWO. B is good most of the time
but when he has an off day I cap the WIWO at 1 1/2 hours (enough time for a decent nap) in saying this Bs noal sleep is around 2 hours once a day at 11.30/11.45am.
HTH
I asked in one of my previous posts... Does DS have seperation anxiety? This played a HUGE role in not settling-in my experience with my DS anyway
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Thanks for your answers, after I posted my last reply I took him for a walk and he finally went to sleep at 4.10pm so I only let him have 20min nap. I'm a bit worried about going to one nap as yesterday we did an 11am nap and only got 30mins and the thought of just 1 30min nap a day is horrible. I think I will stick with 2 naps for the next few days and if he is still fighting that pm nap I will have to go to 1 nap then. I don't think Ethan has seperation anxiety as he settles fine at night without me in the room, Thank Goodness! You are so strong sticking to WIWO for 1.5hrs I only last 30mins of screaming maybe thats the problem. Thanks Laura
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What time did he wake this morning? Did he sleep well last night?
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He slept from 7pm to 6.30am so a good night. This morning I did a 4hr 10min Atime and got 20mins nap I don't know if thats UT or OT this is so annoying I hope he'll have his pm nap today. Thanks Laura
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I really wonder now if you need to bite the bullet and after a good night do a 5hr A and see what you get if he short naps then you do another nap but I'm wondering if we really push him he may crash...
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I think maybe your right he's only had 20min nap so far today and 3hrs later he is still quite happy. Its so hard to tell, because he doesn't show any tired signs now other than being a bit whiny. The only thing I am worried about is if I push him to 5hrs and he short naps even after a tiny nap it takes a while before he will nap again and then we will be close to bedtime IYKWIM so we might struggle. Its so strange how just a month ago he was doing a 3.25hr A time and doing 1hr naps do they really jump in A time so fast? Thanks Laura
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do they really jump in A time so fast?
My DS would jump an hour overnight - it always caught me out. Also one day he was on 2 naps and then the next refusing the 2nd one - it really came out of nowhere.
I'm really hoping this'll work for you :-*
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B gets irritable and rubs his eyes a lot when he's tired.
For us UT takes a while to go to sleep and he chats away for 15-20 mins then will only sleep 30 mins and wake happy
and when I get him up he'll tire really quickly from a short nap. OT/OS are the same deal, he'll wake after 1 sleep cycle approx 40 minutes and he will cry. So this is what I've learnt from my DS so I know when to tweek his routine.
I'm sorry I can't offer anymore advice! This is a tough one for you. I hope it resolves soon for you guys. I had to use WIWO after DS last illness and needed him to sleep longer, yes he cried a lot but otherwise he'd be exhausted if I didn't push with WIWO to extend the naps and he's back to one 2 hour nap again.
Hugs sweetie I've offered you all my ideas and thoughts and I really can't think of anything else! Sorry xxx
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Thanks, going from what you say in PP Ethan seems OT he is asleep within 5mins and then wakes screaming, but then again he is quite happy for quite a while after he's stopped crying. After his first 20min nap yesterday he wasn't tired again until 3hrs 30min A time and then we got a 40min nap which is quite good for Ethan. I can't figure this out, and I feel worn out from trying. Thanks again Laura
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Well I did the 5hr A time today and got a 30min nap and a lot of crying before. I was really hoping that it would work, but I guess thats it. at least I know I've tried all the different A times now, I hope he has a second nap today. Laura x
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Oh I am sorry to hear that Laura, I really thought you were going to get there. :( If it were me I would now formulate a daily routine you can pretty much follow every day and stick with it, you may find after a week the naps lengthen due to "resetting" the body clock. Perhaps go with am nap at 10am (within 15mins or so) and pm nap at 1.30pm and see what happens - I would def give it a shot on fixed times, I know that was really our saviour from the short nap monster in the end.
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Thanks I agree, it would be easier on me then trying to figure out A times I think I'll go with 10.30 and 2.30 and see how we go on. I'll let you know!!
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Hi,
Good luck with the set nap times, I think it is the way to go.
I apologise if this has been asked before but is your lo teething and if so are you giving meds?
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We are onto the last of the four eye teeth. I do give Meds before naps, but it doesn't seem to help. I think he just can't stay asleep through sleep phases, hopefully one day he'll learn, because he is so grumpy today after a 5.30am start and 2 30min naps. I know it sounds awful, but I can't wait till he is in bed lol x
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it never really helped my lo with naps either tbh and he suffered badly with teeth and had lots of the issues you describe on this thread. I did find nurofen before bed helped with his night sleep though. Hugs, I know how rough it is xx
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thanks so much. Did your little one start sleeping longer or do you have any advice on how to cope? It would be nice to have some hope that things can improve. thanks Laura
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whenever he is teething he gets a runny nose, dark circles, wakes earlier in the morning crying and short naps. It has always been the way.
When he was on 2 naps to keep my sanity I would AP one of them so we would go in the car or the buggy for the first nap and then I would have him in his cot for the second. It helped us both to get out and about and it meant I only had one nap to focus on at home.
As soon as the teething stopped he did start sleeping better until the next time although tbh he was never a great napper until we went to one nap at 18 months and he did a good 5-6 months of 1.5-2 hour naps which was bliss.
I do understand, it is very hard. I never found meds helped that much for naps but as naps were/are his weak area they are always the first thing to fall apart!
Some lo's respond well to homeopathic remedies - have you tried some of them?
bx
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I haven't, but I will have a look for them, anythings worth a try! A lot of people seem to say things get better when you move to one nap, but I don't think I dare incase I end up with 1 20min nap. Laura x
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I agree with pp Laura! Same here naps are the first things to fall apart! For us anyway.
We use homeopathic remedies here and I'm not sure if they work? But I use them anyway. If he's exceptionally irritable I offer pain meds on top
of gel and homeopathic remedies. This concoction helps but I only dose him up if he's poorly.
I think some LOs - like people feel pain more than others? I can't believe the poor devils teeth for soooo long!!! So unfair! I wonder if touchy babes have this in common?
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It would be great if these short naps are just caused by teething and when they are through we will get lovely long naps lol
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yup - mine is a touchy one.
keep the faith, I never ever ever thought we would get good naps but we did and it was so amazing. xx
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Hi all just an update. We have been doing the fixed naps for a few days and today we got a 50min morning nap!!! ;D Unfortunatly for his pm nap he slept 5mins! I guess he is doing the 2-1 himself! 11.30 until 6.30 is a really long A time so I will try and APOP a little nap if he'll let me. Laura x
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Hopefully 50mins will extend for you really soon! It's still soucj better than 15-20 mins!
Brock has only been doing 50/60mins he's teething and a cold. We've been doing a 6.30pm BT, poor little man he's not happy right now! Suprised we had STTN last night! I expected an all nighter.
It's so true that when he's not well his nap is the first thing to go.
Hugs xxx
Henry1 wish there was a touchy toddler/preschooler
support thread. My DS he used to be so spirited but he's becoming more touchy every day!
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Ahh poor brock, hope he's better soon. x x
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Alice - I know. They are hard work eh!
Mine has just started 2 mornings at nursery and is falling apart as he is tired when he gets home but it sends him into OS land and his naps are then rubbish and so it goes on. Touchies def do NOT sleep when they are tired! Hugs xx
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Very hard work!!! It's very exhausting... He's such a smoochie boy and always had loads of cuddles and kisses for me but when he's teething or unwell it's like he's in severe agony! Also becuse he's unsure of new situations, places and people I never have to worry about him running away and he always holds my hand. I think he's so well behaved sometimes due to being shy! Once he has decided he hates something or someone that's it! His mind is made up and has a memory of an elephant.
Laura, how are things?
We are still on 1 shortish nap here ATM, I think Brock has croup? He was coughing like a horse last night... Scared the pants off me I put him in my bed I was scared he'd throw up or not be able to breath or something, I'm taking him to see his DR. Scary... Even DH jumped up out of bed when he heard him cough, we were like what was that?!!!
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Just wondered how you were getting on Laura? Hoping no news is good news?
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We are still the same, with regards to short naps but things are a lot better now Ethans teeth are through as he is happy most of the time so I think he actually only needs the short naps. Having set nap times is working well, because he settles to sleep really quickly now with no fussing. His routine now is
Wake 6-6.30
Nap 10am (30mins)
Nap 2.30pm (30 min)
Bed and sleeps through 7pm
Thanks so much for all your advice Laura x
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I'm sure Ethan can read my posts! After writing PP we had nap refusal!!! lol
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Just popping in to give you some love...i read/skimmed the WHOLE thing bc my DD is doing the EXACT same thing except with 35/40min naps. She'll be one year old in 2 weeks.
I recently had a really good week of 2 naps a day of 1-2 hrs.(!!!) It was bliss. I thought we found the magic number: 3hrs 15mins. She was so much happier. Then back to short naps. Super OT. But still sleeps great at night. I'm at a loss.
I also get stretches where she goes down for naps fine, and other days in a row where its a scream fest each time and i dread putting her down. I seriously could have written your post myself.
I'm so sorry you've had such a hard time. I almost teared up a few times myself as i read bc i know the pain of seeing your LO so upset and tired and also the frustration of wondering what the heck your doing wrong or what the heck is wrong with your LO. So hard.
Still battling on here. Just trying to learn to relax about it more. She may do this for the whole first 2 years. Who knows. I just know we're doing what we can to set them up for sleep. And that's really all we can do! HUGS to you!
JESS
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Haha! just realized this post is 2 years old! Oops. I somehow found it on a google search. Anyway, this is all FAR behind you now! And you'll probably never come back to this sight, but just know it helped another mama. :)
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Just wanted to put an update on here just incase another desperate mummy finds it looking for answers.
Wow when I read back through this thread it's hard to believe it was 6 years ago I still remember the desperation I felt about Ethan's sleep I'm glad to say when I cut down to 1 nap I was able to extend that nap to an hour just by patting Ethan's back I think he was so exhausted that he finally learned to extend his sleep. The early mornings continued and he's still an early bird but now he can entertain himself 😃 he was always a good night sleeper and the short naps never caused a night time problem.
I am writing this while breastfeeding my new baby son Oliver who is also a short 20min mapper!! 😡 was really hoping for an angel baby this time lol. At least I know that this stage as hard as it is wont last forever! Thank you to all the ladies who helped me all those years ago.
Laura x
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Welcome back to BW! I'm glad the community helped so much last time...we are still here anytime you want to chat through the joys of starting again with no2!
Xxx