We're back to EW

[huby]

They're all so different, arent they? Is it an age thing do you think h1? I went to a playgroup today and many people did the exact same routines but some of their children woke at 5am (until abour 18 months - 2 years) others slept like a log until 7am...in the same family. Its mad, isn't it?

[ikesmummy]

I know what you mean about them all being different, my older son has much higher sleep needs and seems to naturally have been a later riser (and later to bed).
 Well after the later start did a 1 nap day so I woke him at 7.05 he had a 4 1/2 hr A, rapped from 11.35 until 1.50 then another 4 1/2 hr A and was asleep at about 6.20.
This is only an 11 hr day so know it won't happen often and have no idea what tonight will be like so I'm in bed now; light out imminently!
Think i'll have to try the long am short pm again but not holding out much hope!

[ikesmummy]

Well my plans for a long am short PM didn't go too well today!

He was up just after 5 but think he may have dozed until 5.40 I needed to be out this morning and he would not sleep in his pushchair at all so he didn't go down until 10.55 when I managed to get him home and into his cot he slept until 12.50 so just 5 minutes short of 2 hours. I was hoping that with the long morning A I may get him down for a catnap at 4, he chatted happily in his cot for 15 mins but then screamed blue murder, I ended up getting him out of his cot and bringing him downstairs. Luckily by then dinner was nearly ready so he was fed and back upstairs for 5.15 but by 5.30 I gave up gave him a quick bath bottle and book and he was in bed for the night at 6.

The 3 o'clock school pick up is a nightmare as far a his sleep is concerned right now. I am back to work in November so with our earlier start and the clock change I have no idea how I am going to manage or what an earth to do?

[*Becky*]

yes my lo never went for the short pm nap at this age even if he only napped an hour in the am...some just don't suit that. What time do you have to leave the house in the afternoon for the school run?

[ikesmummy]

I need to leave by 2.50 at the very latest, he was takin a 2 hr pm nap but that just won't fit anymore but did notice you said your LO was only having 1.5hrs in the pm do you think I should try having him asleep by 1.20pm at the latest to fit in a minimum of 1.5hrs? Then if he was having 20 mins from 10 until 10.20 we'd have 3hrs A between the two naps? From 2.50 he should easily be able to handle 4hrs 10mins till a 7pm bedtime and probably a little more (managed 4 A's over 4,5hrs in the last two days although none of them were really planned that way). What do you think?

[*Becky*]

I think that is def worth a try. My lo did well on that routine but I did need to bring bedtime a bit earlier. He was going down around 6.30pm but if you say your lo can handle the 4 hours then that seems to be the best routine to try. x

[ikesmummy]

Thanks, that's what I'll be trying for tomorrow then x Just thought normally the 4+ hours is after a 2 hour nap so will watch him carefully in case I need to bring bedtime forward a bit (don't want to be so over eager in pushing wake time out that it goes the other way!)

[*Becky*]

yes good idea - I think it may need to be a little earlier but keep me posted x

[ikesmummy]

Well in true keaton style my boy has taken the lead again! Since Thursday when him not going to sleep in the pushchair forced a one nap day he has had two more one nap days. This is because he will not go to sleep before 11.30 now it seems (or lunch possibly, not 100% what his criteria is).

Thursday night I put him down at 6 (fearing a pre 5am start) and he slept for 13 hours. I was confident he wouldn't theorem go down at 10th but tried at 10.45 he chatted to himself for 10 mins but was then calling me and started to get upset so I brought him downstairs and gave him some crackers cheese and ham. He was back in bed by 11.30 and chatted for about 15 mins before drifting off. He slept for 1hr 15 mins and woke happy. I tried to put him down for a catnap at 4.30 and 5 but he was so cross with me I couldn't even get him led down in his cot. I managed to get him fed bathed and back in bed by 5.50. He played and chatted in his cot until nearly 6.30 before all went quiet. The next time we heard him was just after 6am. Even then think he dozed, we certainly did. He was calling out at 6.50 when we got him up.

As we weren't sure if he was up from around 6 we tried putting him down at 10.30 after a snack. He alternated between plying and calling out for us. Whenever he seemed to start getting upset we went in to settle him down but genuinely didn't seem tiered at 11.15 he seemed to start quieting down and think he drifted off between 11.30 and 11.45z he slept until 2.05.

Put him to bed at 6.20 last night and he was asleep by 6.45. I heard him at around 5 but  he didn't call out, he was either still asleep or went back to sleep until 6.15.

Am at a loss as to what I should be doing, am I missing his window or is he has my husband thinks just more wise than me about what he wants/needs?

[huby]

I got so stressed about all of this - some babies just don't conform, some need less sleep than others (i know mine does) and I was forcing her to have two naps when she didn't need two for ages and ages. It just made me and her miserable...i do think there's something to be said about following thier lead sometimes. Just a thought, cause I played with A times until I got so despondent and hung up on it, it drove me to dispair. Sometimes they just aren't tired enough to sleep xx

[ikesmummy]

Thanks. I think ic I could believe that thus was enough for him I'd be ok, just worried that I am missing something and that as a result my Lo nay not be getting enough sleep at the right times. His A's have jumped and I'm just not sure if this can be right?