18mo sleeping only 10 -10.5hr nights and EW - how to fix this?

[JaspersMum]

Hi Liz, DS switched to one nap at 14.5 months, so been on one nap for almost 3 months.

[*Liz*]

Thanks - I think the A's at this age often depend on how long you have been on one nap. J switched at 12 months - so nice to try and confirm a few thoughts.

[shresmummy]

Hey ladies, sorry we had internet troubles over the weekend. I think you're both right Rachel and Liz regarding the requirement for long A times. So I had cut back A times to barely 5 hours last week when I was in a complete mess, then that may have seemed to have helped her. She caught up on her sleep (or at least I think?!) and now we're back to about 5.5hr in the Am and between 5 but no more than 5.5 in the PM. Which is what she was doing before the illness.

The past 3 days we have done 13.5hr days with 6:30AM wake ups, 2-2.25hr naps (from 12 - 2:15ish) and 11 hr nights with no 5.:30Am funtime wake ups. I SO hope this continues...But now that I've gone and said it out aloud I'll probably jinx myself!!

But the way I predict it, I think in another week or so we'll start the short naps again and then the EWs and the OT cycle again. That's what always happened to us even before, we'd need an A time jump but she'd get massively OT, and then suddenly would jump A times in like 30 or 1hr spurts!! I've heard that Spirited babies do that.

Rachel and I switched to 1 nap at very similar times, so we have also been on 1 nap since about December, so that's like when she was at 15 months, so for the past 3months. Do you have any ideas as to how that might affect her A time requirements now?

[Kay Dee]

Hiya, that's great that things have improved! I do agree with Wendy that the nap might be a little too long though. I think if she starts the EW and short naps again in a few days it means that she's a bit too caught up on sleep and is cutting back again IYKWIM. I think I'd limit the nap to 2hrs tops to try to prevent that happening.

What do you think?

[Tweakster]

But the way I predict it, I think in another week or so we'll start the short naps again and then the EWs and the OT cycle again. That's what always happened to us even before, we'd need an A time jump but she'd get massively OT, and then suddenly would jump A times in like 30 or 1hr spurts!! I've heard that Spirited babies do that.

Describes Finn to a 'T' - which is why we have never had that perfect day.  I am always one step behind this kid!

[shresmummy]

Well, if I thought things were getting better I am well and truly stuffed now. Today for the first time I decided to see if DD would sleep at her childcare because it was getting very difficult for me to rush home in time for her nap and pick her up then get home to put her down before 12.

She did sleep there but for only 40 mins or so!!!!!!! OMG what am I supposed to do now? she slept from 11:30 - 12:05 or something like that. I tried my very best to AP a nap after we got home but she wasn't having any of it.

I rushed through dinner, bath and then put her down at 6 for bed. What are the chances I'll have a decent night

Boo hoo...why do these things happen to us??!!

[Kay Dee]

hmmm, I'm guessing the nap was a bit too early for her. How did you get on last night?

[shresmummy]

Hi ladies, just wanted to update you on how things have been going. It's been a bit better than last week, in the sense that naps are longer and the NWs have reduced.

But i've run into a new problem. It just takes forever to fall asleep at night!! It's so frustrating actually because she'll just bounce around the cot, flip her arms about, toss and turn. I don't think she's OT right? is it possible she's UT?

I have made sure that I put her down at the latest by 5hr A time after her nap beause I was worried about OT. But I'm wondering if that's not enough these days?

She's nearly 19 months...any ideas on how typical A times are at this age?

Thanks!

[Kay Dee]

Hiya, so glad that things have improved! It does sound like UT. How long is her nap at the mo? I think you'll need to either limit her nap or else move bedtime later. We always cut naps here to preserve nights sleep but a later bedtime should work too if that suits you better.

xx

[*Liz*]

I'm having this issue as well this week  but I'm wondering if it might just be a body clock thing due to the time change at the weekend.

No idea when that was for you guys in Oz though  - or indeed if you even have one.

[shresmummy]

Well, we also are going to move our clocks back tomorrow night actually. Who knows what surprises that will bring.

I just finished taking 45 minutes to get her to bed!! it was SO frustrating and I ended up getting angry with her I hate it when I do that.

She had a bad night last night and was up fussing on/off and having really interupted sleep from 4Am to 5:30!!! Then woke up at 6:30 this morning.

so I did nap today at 11:50 - 2:10 then tried bedtime at 7::10, she yawned and did give me tired signs, but she was just doing the same thing at bedtime again and finally fell asleep only at 7:50!!!!

What should I do? IHave no idea. Shall I have a rule that maximum of 2hrs for the nap? Idealy I want her in bed at 7:30 so I have some time in the evening.

[*Liz*]

Yes I probably would cut the nap to 2hrs as the first 'next step'. That is what we have done here now as well.