18 months nw and ew

[roxannesmum]

My boy is 18 months next week. We have had a few ups and downs but on the whole he is a good sleeper. At Christmas he refused to nap a couple of days which we put down to having a house full of family and so much excitement but since then he has been taking much shorter naps (1.5 hrs when previously 2-3) and getting several nw.  At night he will cry and shout 'daddy' until we go to him, all we do is lay him back down and he goes back to sleep (on the whole). However it can be five or six times a night. Also waking up pre 6 am. He did the 2-1 at 12 months and had been on the same schedule since then-
WU- 6-7
Nap 11.45/12 for 2-3 hrs
BT 7pm

Is this just 18 month regression and a case of having to suck it up or is there any advice anyone has that could help?

[*Becky*]

It could def be the 18 month regression which is v common. If it is then the best advice is to stick with what you are doing re routine and try to just ride it out. I think if he has been on that routine for 6 months he could be ready for a later nap...sometimes lo's wake earlier in the am when they need their nap pushing back. If it were me i would wait a couple of weeks and see what happens and if no improvement then you could try pushing the nap to more like 12.30pm. I guess the only other issue could be teeth - does he seem to be teething atm. What do you think?

[roxannesmum]

Not convinced about the teething although he must be due a load as he only has seven so far. We did try having his nap later and he was fine staying up later but still the rest of it was the same the last couple of days he has gone down a bit earlier even 11.15 one day and slept 2hrs 15 but again the same with the nw. He's even more clingy than usual which is very at the best of times!

[*Becky*]

well then that does sound like some sort of regression/developmental leap and I would just try to be as consistent as you can re the routine and hope it passes quickly x

[roxannesmum]

We had two nights of nw at 5am then up at six ish turn last night nw at 2100 4,5 5.30 and up for good at ten to six. He napped for 1.5 hrs this afternoon but cried and cried and seemed to want to go back to bed, I took him up and he was quiet for 20 mins or so not sure if he slept though and now he is just unbearably clingy and rubbing his eyes. He is so clingy lately and it's really getting to me. If I leave the room he screams until I return and then has to be held all the time. I'm at a loss here should I try early bedtime I have never tried that before as worried will exacerbate ew. Please help!

[roxannesmum]

Put him down at 18.20 and he has woken up about ten times already since screaming really don't know what to do

[*Becky*]

that really sound slike some form of discomfort to me - have you tried any meds? If it is teeth I never found calpol to be much use but nurofen helped. Sounds like he has got v OT as a result so could you try an earlier nap (what time does he nap now) and let his sleep as long as he can even if you have to resettle.?

[roxannesmum]

He woke again at ten eleven twelve half one and then slept til six thank god and even resettled til seven. He was much happier this morning and having read up on order of teeth erupting I checked and he has two top first molars poking through! He is still missing a lateral incisor so was looking for that and expected canines next but I was looking in the wrong place clearly! So I put him down for his nap around 1150 he cried after 5 mins I went in he settled same again after five mins but he was just crying and crying I gave him calpol nothing worked input him down he screamed and screamed obviously tired and rubbing his eyes but almost having a tantrum. Eventually after about 45 minutes he went to sleep and woke after 1 hr15. This evening we put him down at 19.15 later than usual but not intentionally we were just out late than anticipated. He cried after five minutes we gave him calpol and so far still asleep fingers crossed for a better night

[roxannesmum]

And I forgot to pick up nurofen while we were out!