No idea what my lo's sleep cues are at 12 mos

[mrsmynub]

My DS#2 is a tough one.  I just spent 1 hour and 15 minutes trying to get him to nap with no luck.  He cried for 45 minutes. I am either putting him down too early or too late.  I can never tell when he is tired.  When he rubs his eyes, yawns or cries is never a good indicator because he is ether way overtired or not tired enough.  i tried to go by how long he had been up, like this morning, but that didn't work out. I am literally at the end of my rope.  I don't like this child right now which makes me feel  like a horrible mother.  We have a family trip coming up in 3 weeks that I want to cnacel because I jsut can't do this anywhere else. Most nights I am in his room for 45 minutes to get him to sleep.....during teh day it hasn't been as bad, but today was ridiculous.

Any ideas?

[em_here]

Oh hugest hugs, I can hear your frustration. Firstly, can you post your routine (that you normally stick to, I know you said youve tried some variations).  Maybe there will be something we can tweak.  Also does he sleep well at night? Does he fall asleep independantly? Have a soother? Lovie?

Hang in there, this  can be worked out xxxx

[mrsmynub]

Yes, he does sleep through the night and can fall asleep independently - after being held and then I literally have to stand by his crib while he falls asleep.  He does have a pacifier and I'm not worrying about taking that away until we get him off bottles (he's going down from 2 to 1 today) to sippies and can get some sort of normalcy asociated with nap time and bedtime.

Okay, so here is his "normal" schedule:

Awake: 6AM
Nap: 9:30AM
Awake: 11AM
Nap: 2:45-3PM
Awake: 4PM
Asleep: 7PM

Did you want other specifics like meals?  Sorry, but I am so frustrated.  I really feel guiltytht I am comparing him to his older brother (who we sleep trained with BW at 6 mos and have never really had any major problems with).

ANy help is GREATLY appreciated.

[mrsmynub]

So, he went down for a nap at 11:15 or so - after being awake since 6:30AM and then trying to go down for a nap (after rubbin his eyes, crying and yawning) at 9:00 - kept him in his crib until 10:15 as I said in the original post.  I'll post again when he wakes up.

[Fiona (Leah & Kians Mom)]

Sounds like he is ready to start moving to 1 nap, which can be tricky. There is a thread on the 2 to 1 transition and also a sticky on it and what signs to look for. I will have a look later and see if I can find the link for you unless someone gets there before me.

[mrsmynub]

Okay, thanks.  He got up from his nap at 12:45 so I am lost as to whether or not to give him another nap or to keep him up.

[Fiona (Leah & Kians Mom)]

Well you could try for a catnap around 4.15 and maybe make it really short 20 to 30 minutes to see him through to bedtime, or you could do an early bedtime. Sorry havent found the thread yet, have been browsing the toddler sleep board.