Can't get it right - naps for 7 mo old!

[Tanners Mom]

Hi!
If I go by Tanner's cues - he screams when I put him down. If I go by the clock he screams when I put him down. I can't figure it out! I thought I had it and he was going down great but now he just screams. In fact, he starts screaming/arching his back when I'm doing his wind down.

His cues 'tell' me he's ready for a nap at 2.5 hours in the AM but then he screams. So I started going by the clock and putting him down at 3 hours and he did great. But now it doesn't matter if I do either.

I'm so frustrated!

Is it possible that he is just fighting the sleep b/c he wants to stay up and play/be with me? I know he's got to be tired - he's yawning and rubbing his eyes. When he used to do this - I would just get him up and let him play and try again later....but I don't want to do this b/c I'm afraid he'll come to expect that and keep crying so I let him get up, kwim?

What to do?

His routine has been all over the place lately so I'm not going to post it but typically his A-times are 3+ hours, he takes 2 naps from 45 minutes to 3 hours each (varies quite a bit).

TIA!
~Jaci

[tinam]

Hi there.  Maybe it's a 7 month thing because I'm going through the same thing.  I know that this is not helpful but I just want you to know that you're not alone.  Maybe it's that separation anxiety.  I need help too.   Cayden's Mom 

[simonealisa]

If you wait till he is showing tired cues, it can often be too late already. It's better to play it safe and start wind down before you think you need to. Chances are he is overtired and the reason why 3 hours worked earlier is because he was so tired that he was getting wired and so didn't seem to be tired. My kid is the same way, the longer he stays up the more excited and playful he gets (almost hyper sometimes) and then he screams when you put him down. Best to always put them down earlier.

[kwaker5]

I think my 6.5 mo is heading the same way.....  Let's hope it's just a blip and all will become clear soon.