Question about length of naps

[corrina01]

Over the last 3 days my DD has refused a catnap in the early evening, and has only a 45 min nap in the morning again, I would like an 1hr.  In the afternoon nap she sleeps for 2hrs + sometimes. Should I wake her at the 2 hrs mark, say if she only had 45 mins am nap, and hope for a 30min catnap, or should I let her sleep until she wakes up, and put her to bed early if she doesn't have a catnap. Sorry if I am rambling.

So far in the last 3 days, she has been awake for 4hrs before bed, but she still sleeps through, but I don't want to deal with an overtired baby again, as I  can't have no help from DP, due to work committments for 14 days.

Plus she hasn't being showing any tired signs either.  I think her awake time is now 2hrs 15mins roughly.

[Colesmom]

Hi there!

Sounds like you're in the middle of 3-2 nap transition.  It is just sooooooooo much fun

have you tried extending A time in the morning a bit to get a longer am nap?  I think ideally if you could get over 1 hour in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon then she could do without the catnap.  I think all three A times need to be 3+ hours before getting rid of the catnap, depending on how many hours she's sleeping at night.  Could you post bedtime, wakeup as well.  thanks!

i think you'll find some days you'll need 2 naps and some days 3 during this period.  I totally hear you on the overtired baby though.  i wouldn't let her do the 4 hours before bed too often if you don't think she handles it well.  It may very well catch up with her.  I know I tried to rush getting rid of the catnap and it backfired BIG TIME!

[corrina01]

I'll post my routine, tonight, I've got to work today.   

[corrina01]

Today has been like this, an approvement on the weekend we have just had, where she was awake from 2pm until I put her to bed at 6pm

6.45am Get up and feed, (but I think she was awake before then, but I don't how long for, as she doesn't cry in the morning now to let me know she is awake
9am  Sleep (1hr 30mins)  YAY
10.30 Awake 
1pm Sleep (2hrs)
3pm Awake
6.30pm Bed

As I was at work I couldn't get her an earlier bedtime, and by the time I think she was tired, I had got round my Mums to pick her up and take her home.

But I was wondering should I wake her after the 2hrs pm nap or should I let her sleep longer, as Saturday and Sunday was a nightmare nap wise, but she was teething and going through some developmental stages as well.

[Colesmom]

I would think that if a 2.5-3 hour nap puts her in better spirits for bedtime and doesn't delay it then let her sleep.  If that quantity of sleep either interferes with her going down for bed, or causes her to start waking at night (too much day sleep) then you'll have to wake her.  I think it's something you'll have to experiment with.  Unfortunately my DS has only had 2x2 hour naps in his little life!  All the rest have been shorter so I envy your problem.

[Luke-n-Me]

Corinna,

I just wanted to let you know that I'm experiencing the EXACT same issue with my lo.  She takes a short a.m. nap (45 min.), then a 2-2.5 hr. p.m. nap and then sometimes won't take that last catnap.  I'm just rolling with whatever she wants to do.  I give her a chance to take the catnap, and if she doesn't fall asleep, it's back up until bedtime.  It seems like she's up too long, but she handles okay.  Just wanted to let you know you're not the only one experiencing this issue. 

[corrina01]

Thanks Traci and Nancy

She handles going without the catnap really well, but I don't want to experience the early wake ups again.  I will experiment see how she takes it.

Thanks for all your help.   

[corrina01]

I forgot to add she gets about 12 hrs-12.5hrs night sleep. She has gone without a catnap for the past 4 days.  So how long do you think she will get used to this transition of going to 2 naps?  Sorry for all the questions, but she seems to be a bit grizzly today, I know it's because of the teething, I tried to put her down twice and she was having none of it.  So we will get to bed earlier again.