What would you do??

[Mama2C]

So DS (17 months) is in a mess sleep wise. We went on holiday, he got two eye teeth and has been going through some big language developments. This means that our old routine of 6:30 wake, 12-2 nap and 7:30 bed is OUT the window.

He has been waking up at 5 or 5:30, sometimes I can nurse him back to sleep (APOP) and has been wanting LONGER A times but now I think it is due to OT and not an actual need.

So the past few days have looked like this: wake 5 (nurse back to sleep), wake for good at 6, nap 11:30-2, bed 8...then NWs last night at 10, 12, 3, 4:30, 5:20 (nurse back to sleep), and wake for good at 7.

With all those NWs I am SURE he is OT.... But how do I remedy this? I have tried earlier BTs but he STICKS to 6hrs of A time no matter his nap length. He will just lie there and want me to rub his back for like AN HOUR or more until he hits that 6hrs and off to sleep he goes!! It is so very frustrating.

What would you do??? Earlier nap? Later nap? (keep in mind he was up at 7 today with a right night) Earlier BT?

Yikes, we are in such a mess!!

[mickey44]

Could he still be getting teeth?  When DD was about that age she broke all four eye teeth within 2.5 weeks.....it was 2.5 weeks of torture and no sleep!!!

[Mama2C]

I guess it's possible but I had a good look at his bottom gums and the eye teeth seem like a while away. But his teeth have errupted suddenly in the past so it's always possible. That said I have him meds in the middle of the night and it made NO difference to his sleep.

I put him down for his nap at 12 and I'll wake him at 1:30 and go for an earlier BT. I hope it doesn't blow up in my face but it seems like when I let him sleep as long as he wants (2.5-3hrs) the night is a complete mess.

I fee like I have NO idea what is happening. In the past when he starts having night trouble he is either seriously OT or OS or is in need of a cut in his nap.......

[Mama2C]

Well he woke up on his own at 1:20! I gave him meds before bed (gums do look swollen now) and started to put him down at 6:30. He finally fell asleep at 7:50! He was happy, wide awake, laughing, singing, hugging me and being his happy little self. Finally he asked for a back rub and went off to sleep. Sigh! Lately that is his bedtime...sigh sigh sigh. Not sure what to expect for tonight....

[Roseii]

Hi Hun what time did he wake up yesterday morning, before his nap at 12? Just trying to get a picture of his over-all day and how many hours he is getting/may need.

[Mama2C]

Yesterday he woke up at 7 (although was APOP'd back to sleep at 5:30). So yesterday he only had 5 hrs of morning A time. He usually has 5.5-6hrs. I find that after 6hrs of A time he can have a good long nap (over 2hrs). This morning he was up at 5:30 and impossible to get him back to sleep although he tried for 20 mins by lying down and letting me rub his back. Last night he was tossing and turning and crying out in his sleep. He only really woke up once, at 9:40pm but was really tossing and turning and being quite loud a lot. I am thinking we are in a bad OT loop....what do you think?

Today I am aiming for a nap at 11:30...and hoping for a long one!

[Roseii]

Yes it does sound like it-probably not helped by teething! I would be inclined to go for slightly earlier than 11.30-but then if you think he works best on 6 hours A time then that's your call. Just thinking if he is very OT you may not get a great nap

[Mama2C]

So perhaps around 11?? I am completely at a loss with this loop as nothing seems to help at the moment! He is pretty cranky today which is very unusual for him. We seem to be stuck in the loop.

So would you suggest 11 nap and let him sleep as long as he needs? And if it's a good nap, regular 7:50 BT?

[Roseii]

Yes I think 11.
Regarding letting him sleep as long as he wants it's a tricky one as if he say slept 2.5 hours, then you needed a post 7.30pm bedtime, that's creating another very long day yk, like over 14 hours.
You could think about capping it at 2 hours and more like a 7pm bedtime?
xx

[Mama2C]

Sure I will definitely try that! I have tried to cap his nap in the past (pre-nap and holiday) and it was quite successful. Okay so I will keep FX for an 11-1 nap and hope to have him asleep by 7 or before. Like I said FX!!!!!

Thanks for your suggestion! I'll let you know how it goes! I am hoping he doesn't have another 1hr 20 min nap...if so I'll try for an even earlier BT... although that didn't work yesterday.

[Roseii]

I've got everything crossed for you

[Mama2C]

Thanks!!! Put him down for his nap at 11, he woke up at 11:40 (nursed him back to sleep), woke up again at 12:30 (nursed again and back to sleep) and I finally woke him a few mins after 1. Put him to sleep at 6:30, he chatted to himself, had a poo, chatted some more and asked to nurse (a sign he is ready to sleep). He got drowsy at 7, put him in his bed and rubbed his back - he fell asleep at 7:15. Then he woke up at 7:55...could have been an OT waking or could have been his sister being loud (sigh!). He was a mess when he woke up and needed a big cuddle.

Kind of worried we're in a bad OT loop. We're supposed to go to a BBQ reunion and wouldn't be able to get him to bed before 8:30... not sure if it's worth going... then again, we're already having bad sleep so....

[Mama2C]

Well, he also woke up at 9 (fell back asleep on his own - we didn't go in), then again at 9:25. I gave him pain med since he kept waking up crying which is very unusual even in his OT state. So far quiet...he has been a bit stuffy this evening so perhaps we need to add that to our long list of sleep-depriving problems! Sigh...well, this too shall pass...........

[Mama2C]

Well, a rough night. He does have a cold and is teething... He slept a bit better after I gave meds at 9:30 but was awake again at 2 and was on/off tossing and turning, crying, etc until I gave him meds again at 4 and he was sound asleep at 4:30. He woke up this morning at 6. He is fairly happy but a bit sick and doesn't want to eat much solid food (happy for soft foods, so must be his teeth).

Well, hopefully in a few days we straighten out.

I am thinking nap from 11-1 or 11:30-1:30 depending on his cues. And bed again as early as I can get for him.