13 month old early wakings

[hevasimpson]

Hi There
I have a 13 month old son who started nursery when he turned 1. He has settled in ok and does seem to like it there but since nursery night time sleep’s been hard.
He did try to go to 1 nap at 9 months, but we APOPed a second nap every few days to help him cope until he was about 11 months.
Before nursery he was napping at half 11 for about 2 hours and bed time was somewhere between half 6 and 7 and he would sleep for about 11 hours.
Unfortunately at nursery he isn’t going down for his nap until about half 12 (apparently he waits for everyone else to fall asleep!) and most days is only doing an hour and twenty minutes – yesterday he did do 2 hours but that does seem to be the exception.
I pick him up at 5 and by the time we do tea and bath time he’s in bed and asleep for 7. We have no issues with him going to sleep but from about 3 he wakes up chatting / shouting babble talk on and off until about 5 when he starts crying.
I’m really unsure what to do to help him go back to sleep. Previously putting a hand on him for 10-15 minutes would calm him down and eventually back to sleep – that’s not working anymore – he is wide awake.
I do think he’s probably overtired but again have no clue how to help him recover other than at weekends when I can ensure he naps a bit earlier and longer.
Any help / tips would be appreciated
Thank you

[*Becky*]

Hi there,
It does sound like he is OT but it is tricky of nursery cannot put him down until 12.30pm. Is he there every day?
Doe she have any teeth coming do you know?

[hevasimpson]

Hi There

Thanks for replying :-) Yes unfortunately he is full time - although he hasnt done a full week yet as we've taken holidays every week to help with the settling in.

He actually did ok last night - he cried at 3 and 4 but on both occasions by the time I got up he fell back asleep on his own and woke up at quarter past 6. He also did a 2 hour 20 nap today at nursery - maybe he's finally getting used to the new routine instead of a fluke? - I hope so anyway!

My main worry is that I dont know how to resettle him at all when he does wake up - he has always been an independent sleeper, sucks his thumb and other than putting a hand on him I've never had to do anything else to help him go back to sleep - any pointers on what we can do now thats not working?

We will just have to keep trying to get him to rest on his days off and hope by January when he will be properly full time he'll be settled...

[*Becky*]

My main worry is that I dont know how to resettle him at all when he does wake up - he has always been an independent sleeper, sucks his thumb and other than putting a hand on him I've never had to do anything else to help him go back to sleep - any pointers on what we can do now thats not working?

It is hard isn't it...my DD is the same. I try to allow her to settle herself i.e. I don't rush in if she wakes in the night. If she does need me I go in and replace her covers etc and then put my hand on her back before leaving. I then repeat as needed. I find DD does much better left to it or a modified form of WIWO. If I stay with her no matter how upset she was to begin with she starts talking to me!!

[hevasimpson]

Thanks again - would you mind sharing what you do for WI/WO? I have read the thread but would be interested to know what it would be if he's not crying :-)

Also is there a link anywhere on the site on how it s different to CC?

Thank you so much

x

[*Becky*]

It is different to CC because it is not about timing i.e. you do not stay out of the room for 1 minute, then 2mins, 3 etc. Instead you listen to the type of cry. If it is stop/starting then you hold back as lo may be trying to self settle. If it is an 'I need you now' cry and does not calm quickly then you go in and either say your sleepy phrase or replace his lovey or whatever and then repeat. Does that help at all? If he is not crying then don't go in. Today DD was in bed for about 45 mins before she fell asleep. She let out the odd cry but then was quiet and tat went on for a little while. I knew she was not distressed and she did go to sleep x

[hevasimpson]

ok - yes that does make sense thank you :-) I do know the cry that means he wants us / is not going to calm down on his own vs self settling / mantra ones. Sometimes I do worry because I didnt go in earlier it gets to the cry that he needs me if that makes sense 

Really appreciate all your help
xx