Switch from 2 to 1 nap - night wakings

[del]

Hello,

My LO had all the ¨symptom¨mentioned on the board that he was ready for one nap. He will be 12 months in a couple of weeks. He goes down very easily for the nap and sleeps about 2 - 21/2 hours. Sometimes though he wakes up about 3 hours after he's been asleep for the night and he seems that he cannot settle down and fall back to sleep. It takes him (or us) over 2 hours before he fall asleep. If I leave the room he will cry, if I stay in, he'll try to sleep, but will turn and move and turn, etc...

He usually wakes up between 6:30 and 7am, goes down for a nap at around 11:30, wakes up around 2pm and is back in bed between 6:30 and 7pm. (His previous schedule, was nap at about 9am and 2nd nap around 1:30). We started having problem with the 2nd nap, so we shortened the first nap to an hour and later he didn't want to sleep for the 1st nap, he would just talk to himself and after 20 min or so would call for me (well cry, cause can't talk yet) and actually he didn't look that tired).

Is that normal that it takes them some time to adjust and that he wakes up thinking it was his 2nd nap when it is actually night time? Shall I continue with 1 nap or shall I go back to 2 if we do have a bad night?

Thank you!! Your advises are always well appreciated

[elmarie]

Hi,

I think if your Ds is having NW, it is a sign that he is maybe OT.  I know the 2-1 switch is such a landmine field, we have just completed ours (touch wood!!) after 3 months.  I would suggest that you take him back to 2 naps for a while.  The am nap should be short, and no later than 3h A after waking .  (I think the 4-5h A before nap is a bit long for his age).  Shorten am nap until it is 30min, shortening it with 15min every 3-5 days. (put him down around 9.30ish) Put him down 2.5h A after am nap for pm nap .  Don't make a time longer as lo is not properly rested after 30min and will get OT when awake too long.  Put lo down for night 3-3.5h after pm for night.  just keep going , it will sort it self out....

When he is settled in this routine, you can start the switch to 1 nap, which will then be around 11ish.  You must just always be aware of signs of being OT.  NW and Ew usually.  Those days still offer 2 naps.  (I still have to once a week or so)

[del]

Thank you so much! That's just what I needed, some guidance! I will start this starting tomorrow! Till then we'll hopefully have a good night! I'll let you know how it goes in a few days.

Thanks again,
Del.