28mo night sleep getting shorter...developmental?

[Purplecattypants]

Hi all!

Just a few questions....Josh is now 2yrs 4 months. He sleeps like a dream....1.5hrs during the day (more if I let him) and 12 hours at night.

However, for nearly the past week he's been waking after only 10.5/11hrs of night sleep. Cutting down his daytime nap to 1hr or even 45 mins doesn't seem to make a difference. I really think he NEEDS 12 hours to be rested, as he's really acting up during the day since he's been waking early. He's obviously tired and he really does need the nap, goes straight to sleep and tries to fall back asleep if I wake him early.

He has just in the past 3 days started to use the potty....do you think perhpas it's just a developmental thing? He's not waking early to use the potty but uses it when prompted during the day.

TIA 

[becky1969]

It's possible that he's becoming more aware of his bodily functions, and so the need for an early morning pee is waking him even if he's still in a diaper.  Been dealing with something similar with my 4 yr old.  He's only recently become dry at night, and sure enough at the same time his nights shortened up to 10.5/11 hrs after being a consistent 12-13 hour night sleeper.

27-28 months is also a classic time for routine changes to happen.  Where are you with the 2 yr molars?

[Purplecattypants]

Thankyou Becky 

He's had all 4 2nd year molars since about 20 months 

I'm going to try getting him down for his nap earlier today (realised I haven't been compensating for the earlier wake-up) and therefore to bed earlier to see if that makes any difference or if he just wakes super early tomorrrow!

 

[becky1969]

Great idea!

Just did something similar wtih my guy last night and got my first 12 hour night in about amonth! So happy! Hope you have similar success! 

[Purplecattypants]

Well, I did an earlier nap yesterday, 13:30-15:00, bed at 20:30. He slept until 8:20am!

Not sure what made the difference though....I introduced a pillow to his cot last night, and he had a blanket as he refused to put his Grobag on...who knows!

Yay for your 12 hour night Becky 

 

[becky1969]

Yay!  Who knows what makes the difference.  Let's just hope it lasts!