I think we've got an OT toddler here...

[sparrow]

Things have been going well for months - since we started dd on one nap. She's now 20 months old, and has been doing the following routine ...

Up 6-6:30
Nap 12-12:30
BT 7-7:30

Naps are rarely longer than 1.5 hours, but it seemed to be working.  However for over a week we've had EWs.  She's been up around 5:15-5:45, then is really tired by nap time.  She's refused her nap 3 out of the last 5 days and I've ended up driving her around for her nap.  Then crying before BT.  BT usually is okay, just a few tears, and we have been putting her down early knowing she's so tired.  But tonight she's not settling, I can hear her off and on crying.

Big change lately is that we weaned from breastfeeding about 10 days ago. She didn't nurse to sleep, but it was a big part of our wind down routine.  So even on days where she was OT, the nursing would really help her wind down.  For the first 5 or so days it was going really well and she was settling okay without it.

Not sure how to get out of this rut. I've tried 6:30 bed time, but she still got up early and was OT by nap time.  I tried 11:30 nap today, but she just cried and cried.  I have to go to her now, her cries are escalating...

Thanks for any input.

[~inbalance~]

Sounds like she might be a little rattled by the weaning, hopefully that will settle.  Do you give her milk in a sippy instead?

Also wondering if she is teething at all?

[sparrow]

We give her milk in a cup whenever she wants it, but it's not part of BT routine.  Don't think she's teething, although I guess the 2 year molars are a possibility?  I do wonder how much the weaning is affecting her. It's just strange that she was settling without much trouble for almost a week, and then this sprung up.

Last night she didn't settle until almost 9, and it involved dh holding her till she was deep asleep. We haven't done that since she was little.  Then she was up at 5:30 this morning!  I'm going to try for an 11:00 nap today, though I don't feel confident with it!

[~inbalance~]

How did the 11am nap go?

[sparrow]

We got a very small cry, and a 2 hour nap. phew. But that meant she was up at 1:00 - I'm thinking 6:30 bed time?

[~inbalance~]

Yes, I think that's reasonable.  I hope it helps her get caught up!

[sparrow]

Thanks Martina - fingers crossed we don't have a repeat performance of last night.

[~inbalance~]

Fingers crossed that you hit her sleep window and she settled easily for you.  It's hard when they hit OT patches like this.  I remember DS1 having a similar one at around 18/19mos. 

[sparrow]

Thanks for your support Martina - she settled fine last night and tho she was up at 5:30, that's 11 hours!  So I think we're crawling out of this one.  Amazing how hard it is for them to settle when they get too tired...

[~inbalance~]

Good news, hope it continues in the right direction.