3yo Screams and screams at bedtime and nap. Confused!

[Strumbum]

Hi Everyone my near 3yo cries and cries when its nap time and bed time. It will near 2 hours. We have white noise blackout curtains etc..
We try to sit next to his bed and tell him its ok we are here  etc. but it doesnt matter, if we are next to him or out of the room etc.
We co slept for a while but havent for a year or so and have previously laid with him to fall asleep.. and then would sneak out.. Also havent done that for a few weeks.  I am not sure if this is separation anxiety or what... his day look like this usually if he gos to sleep on time.
7:00 wake
12-1 30 nap
730-8 bed time.
Anyway is there something I can do to ease bed time for him? I dont want to lay with him to sleep anymore. And am trying to teach him to fall asleep alone just seems like after 2 weeks he should be adjusted to this. It breaks my heart!

[speechie]

I wonder if he is getting close to dropping the nap? At around three sleep was tough for a bit, because my DS was UT for his nap, skipped it, then OT for bedtime.
I might try skipping the nap, having just quiet time in his room for 30 mins, then an earlier bedtime and see if it helps.

[HenaV]

Hi!

I could well be that your LO is ready to drop gne nap, or just that he's 3 yk?

IMO your nap is a tad long and early . I would in the first instance it the nap to an hour and see how he responds. So try something like this:

WU: 7am
Nap: 12.30 (capped at 1hour)
BT: 7.30/8pm

If you think that a half an push to 12.30 is too much one go, try moving the nap in 15m increments.

What do you think?

Hena

[ZacsMumme]

Yup UT for sure.
Instead of dropping the nap you could pull it later (ours got as late as 2 before we dropped it) and cap it at an hour for a week to see if things settle?

Something like
WU 7
Nap 1-2
Bt 7/7.30

It's just another option as really the other ladies are right too...depends on the kid

3 is a tough age anyway as we'll so some of the behavioural stuff could be developmental. X

[Strumbum]

Thank you, I will try for that tomorrow. I think I could push it out to 1 no problem. and yes 3 is a tough age! He cried for 30mins today and last night . A little better.
Would you all suggest me slowly moving out of the room or leaving completely? I dont want to move too soon but also dont want me sitting there to become a crutch...
Thanks again!

[Buttonbobs]

You might find that if his routine were heading more towards no nap then he wouldn't need you so much. I would say stay with him for now and see if he will needs it when the nap is later and shorter. But I also don't think you'd be doing any damage if you did more WIWO with him at this age. Good luck x

[ZacsMumme]

You might find that if his routine were heading more towards no nap then he wouldn't need you so much. I would say stay with him for now and see if he will needs it when the nap is later and shorter. But I also don't think you'd be doing any damage if you did more WIWO with him at this age. Good luck x

ITA
The crying could be don't leave me I'm not tired yk?

[ZacsMumme]

You might find that if his routine were heading more towards no nap then he wouldn't need you so much. I would say stay with him for now and see if he will needs it when the nap is later and shorter. But I also don't think you'd be doing any damage if you did more WIWO with him at this age. Good luck x

ITA
The crying could be don't leave me I'm not tired yk?