2nd A time on 1 nap days

[ikesmummy]

Ok so we are doing a combination of 1 and 2 nap days to try and stop OT settle in and also to try and fit around family schedule (it's not like it was first time round!)

We had 5 1 nap days then 2 2 nap days and we're now on our second 1 nap day. Sure it would make sense to alternate them but my 5 year old (and the fact that K doesn't like to sleep places other than his cot) doesn't really permit that. On the last 2 2 nap days we have had something a bit like this

A - 6.30
S - 10.30
A - 10.50
S - 1.30/2.00
A - 2.30/3.00
S - 7/7.30

One nap days have been about 5hrs A time followed by 2 1/2-3hr nap but am feeling a bit stumped on what time bedtime should be.

He is obviously getting much more sleep on his one nap days than is two nap days think 2hr40 was too short of a second A and maybe 3hr10 was too long?? both resulted in a second sleep of an hour??

So my first question would be should I be capping his nap on one nap days?? and what A do you think I should be doing before bed? my other question is do you think that 2hr40 was too short and 3hr10 too long - I would think 1hr20 total daily sleep is more likey to make him OT than the long A times on one nap days???

[*Liz*]

Final A on one nap would likely be around 5hrs as well. Perhaps 4.5 or 5.5, but roundabout there  .

You shouldn't need to cap the nap at this stage really.

How are the nights after 5 1 nap days in a row?? I must admit it does look as though he needs to give up the 2 nap days completely as you are right 2 teeny naps will make him more OT than one nice restorative one.

[ikesmummy]

The nights were fine after 5 1 nap days in a row (from my point of view better as he was sleeping a little longer and a little later 7.30pm-7.00am on average). We occasionally have a NW but it's always been like that and there was no increase and he resettles very quickly with a quick stroke on the back.

If I tried doing 1 nap days all the time do I just do less and less 2 nap days until the phase out all together or do them just when he seems to need them or what??

[*Liz*]

I think you can just drop them now really - if he can handle 5 in a row he is there  .

I found with J that after a few weeks on one nap I never had to go back to 2 - all I had to do was an early nap, early bedtime if he got a but OT or was teething or ill.

Just ditch it  .