Short naps following 3 to 2 nap transition

[mama2H]

Over the past 2 weeks our 9 mo. old has transitioned from 3 naps to 2.  The problem is that for some reason now he only wants to take 1 hr. naps (formerly they were 1.5 hrs.)  It's hard for him to make it through the day if he only sleeps for two 1 hr. naps.  Has this happened to anyone else--shorter naps after dropping a nap? 

Here is our routine:

W 7:00
E 7:30 (BF then solids)
A
S 10 (1 hr.)
E 11 (BF then solids)
A
S 2:30 (1 hr.)
E 3:30 (BF then solids)
A
E 6:30 (BF)
S 7

He really has trouble going more then 3 hrs. between naps.  We have tried putting him down at 6:30 if it is a short naps day, but then he just wakes earlier and we have an even longer day to get through on only two naps.  I thought when we dropped the cat nap his other naps would become longer, but that has not been the case.  Has this happened to anyone else?  Anyone have any advice on what we should do?

[Mom to M&M]

I'd actually try putting him down after 2 hours and 45 minutes for the first nap (we didn't get to 3 hours A time in the morning until after 10 months) and then try for second nap 3-3.25 hours after end of first nap. You may also need to try W2S at the 50 minute mark to try to get him past the one hour mark. A one hour nap in the morning is OK - but you'd like to see that afternoon nap at 1.5-2 hours.

[mama2H]

I was thinking that W2S might be the answer.  I was just a little hesitant to try it for fear of waking him completely.  I guess I'll just cross my fingers and give it a try.  Thanks for the advice!

[mama2H]

Well this morning he woke at 6.15 and refused to go back to sleep.  On days like this should we go back to 3 naps if his naps are only 1 hr. long and we can't extend them?  Otherwise he won't make it to 7 pm.  Or should we put him down early in the evening instead...but then I worry that he will wake even earlier the next morning and it will be a vicious cycle. 

[Mom to M&M]

On days when my DD woke early we used to do 3 naps. But if it happens too often, it will only reinforce matters - so in that case you'd want to try to keep extending A times and working on longer naps and put your LO to bed early if necessary.

[mama2H]

Sounds good.  He woke at 6:45 this morning, so we will try for two naps.  Hopefully W2S will work to extend a nap, but if not we will put him down early.  Thanks for the advice!

[Mom to M&M]

Good luck and keep us posted!