Confused about 2-1 transition

[sarah13h]

Hello!  My ds, 10mths, has already started the 2-1 nap transition.  I've read the FAQ, but am a bit confused.  About a month ago we got into a great routine, with 3hr A times & 2x 1.5hr naps.  Fab!  For the past 2 weeks though, he's a bit all over the place.  Have started writing his routine down to try and see if there's a pattern, but no luck so far after 5 days.

Some mornings he wakes at 5, some he wakes at 6 (which is ideal for us).  Some days he has a 45min nap in the morning, for others it's anywhere from 1-1.5hrs.  Some afternoons he has a 30min nap, for others it's 1-1.5hr, and for some he even refuses to nap (but won't have his bedtime bottle earlier, so won't go to bed earlier).

So, what should I be trying to do?  I keep his first nap set at 9am, regardless of when he wakes up (that stopped him from waking at 4am).  Should I shorten it to 45min?  And then how long until his pm nap?  And then what do I do when he refuses to have his bedtime bottle early?  Aaargh!  Any suggestions, please?

[Aly Mac]

How much A time is he getting in between times?

I found tweaking the A time is what will help with getting the naps better, and then work on the early wakings... also, yes, try and keep the first nap time consistent where you can, other wise if he naps too early, you'll find an EW the next day.

[meltown]

I think the thing I found when going throught he switch was to always be flexible.  know what the normal A time in beween naps is and then lets say if he wakes at 9:45 then do it 2.5-2 hours after that.  then depending on how long he sleeps would be what time bed was.  don't be afraid to put him to be early or sneak another nap in now and again.  you just have to be willing to juggle until he can last longer.  I found that B never fought the early bed time as long as I did the bedtime routine each time.

[Aly Mac]

Yes Melissa, early bed times become a must!

[sarah13h]

Well, we were doing a 3hr A time, and he was having 2x 1.5hr naps beautifully, without a problem.  Then the naps got shorter...all while still having EW.  Thinking that maybe he was getting too much sleep during the day, I started to try and extend his A times...and have ended up with this mess (and throw in a few NW too)!

Generally, I put him down at 9 for his first nap (length of nap varies, probably depending on when he woke in the morning).  I've not kept a set A time until his next nap though.  When I've put him down after 3hr, he's generally played instead of slept, or cried when put in his cot & then slept for 30-45min (and wakes crying).  So I've tried extending the A time between his 2 naps, but still get crying before/after his nap.

We had 1 good day with naps:  3h A time, 1hr nap; 4 hr A time, 1.5hr nap in stroller (but cry first, then play for 45min before falling asleep).  But then he woke up at 4:30 the next morning, ready to start his day!  The few mornings he's slept til 6am, we've been up with NW.

So I guess that's where my confusion lies.  What works one day, doesn't work the next...or works for part of the problem and not the others.

As for putting him to bed early, well, he's still on 4 bottles.  But just won't drink all his milk if they're too close together.  Guess I could try a df just for those few nights?

[Aly Mac]

sounds just like where we were a few weeks ago.  From my experience you just have to try and play around with the A times, nap times and then bed time......I found the middle A time we could extend the most, that then made the second nap at least later, and hence at least a decent bed time that would limit the EW.  I also found that if she napped anytime betfore 9am, I need to make the nap only an hour as it brings on EW.

Good luck - sorry I don't have any magic cure for you, but know I'm going through it with you.  You just have to be really flexible while they go through it.

[meltown]

flexibility is the key.  you may see no consistancy until he is through the switch.  iti s ok.  just hang in  there and try to not do a nap before 9:00 and keep the morning nap tp 45 min.  then I would do a 3-3.5 A time and try for the afternoon nap.  depending on when he wakes set bedtime about 3 hours after waking.  don't worry about it not being the same everyday.  once he is through the switch the consistancy will come back.  just watch your child and do the best you can until he is through it.

[sarah13h]

Thanks guys.  We're doing our best to be flexible (which is hard cause I like routine...but that's another issue altogether!  )

So, am I looking to have a shorter am nap & a longer pm nap then?  It's just that at the moment it seems like the other way round more often than not.  And to top it all off, my dh was looking after ds today, and guess who had 2 perfect naps?!?  Yup, 3.15h A time, 1.45hr nap; 3hr A time, 1hr nap; 3hr A time then bedtime right on cue.

Of course, this was before reading all your wonderful advice!  lol.  So tomorrow's plan, is a 45min nap at 9am, then the next nap at 1-1:30pm, and bedtime 3h after he wakes up...gotcha!

[meltown]

remember that isn't exact so don't take it as a "gospel truth"  be sure to pay atention to your LO and do what he needs.  just be sure to miove things around if needed.