Transitioned to 1 nap, but it seems to keep getting shorter?!?!

[newmom101]

Hi everyone!

If you have any advice, I would appreciate it. My son is almost 17 months old and we have transitioned him to 1 nap a day. At first he took 2.5-3 hour naps, that last a few days. After that they seemed to just get shorter and shorter, today it was only 1.5 hours. I don't think that is long enough for him to make it through the day.

He sleeps through the night, typically asleep by 7:30AM, and up around 6:45AM.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to how I can try to get him to extend his nap so he is getting at least 2 to 3 hours?

Also we have been on one nap for about a month now.

Thanks so much!!

[MummyToBen]

Sometimes lo's shorten their nap when they are getting a bit OT - quite common when they first switch to one nap.  So you could try and throw in a two nap day every so often - so a 20 minute am nap and then a long pm one.  Or you could just try putting him down half an hour earlier than normal for his nap - as sometimes when they get OT they just need a shorter A time to help them sleep longer.  If he still takes a short nap then try and APOP a catnap in to help to get to bedtime.  If he won't take a catnap then early bed.  Hope that makes sense?!!

What time do you normally put him down for his nap?
x

[newmom101]

Thanks, today nap was later than normal, (12:45). I typically try to feed him at 11:30 and put him down around 12 or 12:15 depending on how long lunch takes. Maybe he was overtired today?

I could try 11:30 for a nap but I feel like if I don't give him lunch he will be going too long if I wait till after his nap???

[MummyToBen]

If he's still taking good nights then he's not very OT which is good, but he might be getting OT from the long A in the morning, so by cutting it down slightly I think it will help him take a better nap.  My DS is 20 months and he does 5.5 hours A time in the morning.  If it looks like he's going to need an earlier nap I give him a big snack or half of his lunch beforehand, and then proper lunch afterwards.

x

[newmom101]

Thanks so much! I will try a little earlier on the nap and see if that helps!