18 mo-all of a sudden NW, EW, bedtime refusal

[Brodster'sMommy]

DS is 18 months and has started to fight going to bed at night - very unlike him. He's also having NW and EW (waking up crying now instead of playing in his crib) in the AM. I can't figure out if it's because of OT or UT or teething or what. Here's his normal routine:
 
A: 8am
S: 1:30-3:00
S: 8pm

He's STTN with that routine for months now. I know sleep needs change around this time but I can't imagine cutting his nap anymore than it is. He's a low sleep needs kid but not that low

I don't see any swelling in his gums so to me that rules out teething.

What do you think?

[anna*]

For us there was a big sleep regression around 18 months - they are hitting HUGE cognitive milestones and all sorts of anxieties set in. I definitely wouldn't cut the nap any more. Do you wake him from his nap? I actually wonder if he may be overtired? I would also try pain meds to rule out teething, the 1 year molars AND the canines can both be awful, and long before there is any physical sign of teething on the gums.

[Brodster'sMommy]

Yes, I wake him from his nap. 1 hr 30 mins seemed to be his magic number after trying out several nap time lengths over the course of a few weeks. If he sleeps any longer, I always got NW where he'd wake up and would be ready to play. I'll try pain meds tonight and see what I get. So should I let him nap longer today or just put him to bed earlier?

[anna*]

Maybe an early bedtime?

[*Becky*]

Could it be UT causing OT....maybe add a little A time after the nap? I know 18 months is an age for lots of developmental sleep issues. How was last night?

[Brodster'sMommy]

We had people over so DS didn't get to bed until late - 8:45ish. However he only woke up once?!? Then cried for 15 mins around 5:30 ish then slept till 8:15am. Hmm. But today I went in a walk and he fell asleep in the stroller around noon. I tried so hard to wake him up but he wouldn't open his eyes! So I let it go (my 4 wo was sleeping too) and I thought Id let him sleep until 1:45/2. So your thinking he's UT? Hmm. Today's already an odd day but I'll try giving him more A time after his nap tomorrow and see what happens!

[*Becky*]

Ut was just a thought. If he has been doing that routine for ages and it has been working it is unlikely he is OT. I would have said teeth as it sounds like teeth behaviour we get here but if there is no swelling then unlikely...could be moving down though?
My DS is 18 months and it took me ages to work out his problems were actually UT.
Keep us posted x

[Brodster'sMommy]

You have a really good point. He's been on that schedule for months and STTN without a peep. So to suddenly have all these problems - especially bedtime refusal - probably means he isn't ready for bed yet! I'll let you know how tomorrow goes. I'll put him back on his regular schedule but move bedtime 15/30 mins later and see what I get.

Thanks for the input!

[*Becky*]

Good luck - keep us posted x