Need Quick Help - When to Wake? - UPDATE AGAIN

[Mom to M&M]

So lately DD usually takes her nap starting anywhere between 12 and 12:30 and I let her sleep 1.5-2 hours depending (usually about one hour 40-45 minutes). She'd sleep MUCH longer if I let her but then it shortens her night.

Today I put her in her crib after lunch at about 12:15 or 12:20. She was playing and babbling and having a grand old time for much longer than usual. Finally at about 1 or a little after I went in and smelled poop and she asked for a clean diaper. So I gave her one and told her it was naptime and she agreed and said "close eyes" and squinted them (our new game). I left and she continued to yuk it up and party in there until finally passing out at 1:40 or just after. So now I'm not sure what time to wake her. Do I wake her at 3? 3:10? I want her to be rested enough to enjoy the afternoon but also want her to go to bed by 8:30 or so tonight and get a good night of sleep...

Any thoughts? I still can't believe she played in there for more than an hour and 20 minutes before falling asleep!

[Peek-a-boo]

If it was my DS, I think I'd let him sleep 90 minutes and then wake him.  But that's just me . . . .would be slightly worried about getting her to bed if she sleeps too late.

[Mom to M&M]

90 minutes would be the max - I'm more wondering if that is too much since that would mean waking after 3pm? She usually does OK on an hour 10-15 minutes when she has a stroller nap (that is the max she'll sleep in the stroller) but often seems to need/want more in bed...

[LeesMom]

I agree with pp. When DD does this (more frequently now   ) we go with 1.5 hrs. max also. On those days I make sure to give her lots of activity in the afternoons and she's usually ready for bed at her normal time. HTH

[Mom to M&M]

So is the consensus to wake her at 3:10 after 1.5 hours?

[Peek-a-boo]

That's my vote.   

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks guys - that's what I did and hopefully it works out well! Will take her to the park in a little while to make sure she's good and tired for tonight.

[Mom to M&M]

Grrr. Woke hear at 3:10 (turned off her sound machine, opened the shade and made some noises outside the room). But then she dozed until 3:25 - hope tonight is ok!

[Mom to M&M]

Happened again - put DD in for her nap a little before 12:30. She was half asleep 15-20 minutes later when she pooped, heard me in the hallway and asked for a clean diaper. I changed her in the crib, told her it was naptime and left. But I guess the poop made her miss her window and now it's almost 2:20 and she's still awake! I've gone in twice to remind her its naptime, give her a kiss, etc but she can't sleep. I asked her if she wanted to get up and she said no close eyes. I asked her if she wanted to sleep in the stroller and she said no in here.

So what do I do? I feel terrible keeping her in there awake so long and she so needs a nap. She woke at 7:20 this morning and bedtime is usually between 8 and 8:30 (most often right around 8:15). Do I keep her in there? Take her out to play for a bit and then in stroller? If she does fall asleep now or in stroller how long do I let her nap for and then when should bedtime be? TIA

[Mom to M&M]

OK - she finally fell asleep in crib somewhere between 2:35 and 2:40. After first going in at 12:25!!! How long do I let her sleep? And then when should bedtime be (see above for usual bedtime range). Was thinking maybe wake her after one hour (so by 3:40) and then try bedtime around 8:15 or 8:30? But not sure at all!

[Peek-a-boo]

I like your plan.  My DS has been having similar antics.  For him, I've decided he needs at least 5 hours of A time before bed, so I wake him up to allow for that (his normal evening A time is 6-6.5 hours). 

[Mom to M&M]

Thanks Bethany. Anyone else out there just to get a second opinion or confirmation? Otherwise wake by 3:40 and bedime around 8:15/8:20?

[lilmonkey]

When dd was Marisa's age, she needed at least 5.5 hrs to feel tired enough to sleep at night.  I would wake her up to allow for the adequate awake time b/f bed.  Good luck!

[Mom to M&M]

Well since I tried to wake her at 3:40 (she dozed for five extra minutes though), 5.5 hours later would be 9:15 - way too late. Think I'll get her in by 8:30 and see what happens - she does seem tired and we did a lot of park time this afternoon after I woke her.