Help!!! Almost 2 year old refusing to nap! (Long, Sorry!)

[TDR'smom]

Hi All,

Besides the occasional bump in the road, we have had a pretty consistent routine for almost a year now.  However, the past 2 weeks have been awful trying to get Tyler to nap.  It first started about 2 weeks ago when I would put him in his bed to nap and he would scream bloody murder for about 2 minutes and then fall asleep for his normal nap time (avg 2 hours).  Now, as of Monday, when I am taking him upstairs for his nap he is struggling and not wanting to go.  So I put him in his bed anyways and he screams bloody murder for a few minutes and then falls asleep for 20 minutes, waking up crying.  I believe from being tired still. 

I have no idea how to handle this.  It is driving me crazy.  I first thought if I rode it out, things would go back to normal.  That is what usually happens.  However, this time seems different.

I thought maybe he needed more A time, so I kept him up till 1:30PM today and he was asleep from 1:45-awake by 2:20PM screaming, crying.

AAAARRGGHHH!!

This has been our typical routine since 14 months old (He will be 2 on 5/31)

6:30-7AM:wake
12:30-nap for 2 hours
7:30PM-bedtime

Another thing, he is not fighting bedtime but will play up in his room for almost an hour before going to bed.  So many times he is not asleep till close to 9PM.

Can anyone relate or send some sleep vibes. 

HEEEEEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!

Judy

[jennyh]

all i can offer is hugs,India is 2 at the end of June and has never been a good sleeper or napper.just lately she has started singing when we put her to bed at the top of her voice .this was quite cute at first but not any more.we have tried everything ,hope you have better luck......jenny

[ks6]

I'll send some sleep vibes--we just got some ourselves.  Ds has just gone through several weeks of naptime and then bedtime parties.  I decided to wait an extra week before changing anything, and he sorted it out himself.  Lucky for us.  He was just beginning to get goofy and overtired.

Have you thought of putting him down earlier for a nap or bed since he is not getting a lot of sleep lately?  Maybe he's overtired?  Just something to think about--it's never worked to well for us, but worth a try.

[Mom to M&M]

Could he be getting his two year molars?

[TDR'smom]

Thanks for the support ladies.

Karen, He still has about 6 teeth to come in BEFORE his 2 year molars.  Does that make any sense?  Do the 2 year molars come in VERY LAST??
I'm pretty sure he is teething (the two top canines...I think that is what they are called) but teething has never thrown him off this much.

Thanks again ladies!

[Mom to M&M]

Oh so he's working on eye teeth? Those are the WORST! DD still has the top ones to go - she just got the bottoms and they were week (months) of tantrums, clinginess and weird sleep (off and on anyway). Does Motrin (or even Hyland's teething tablets) before naps help at all?

[TDR'smom]

So far Motrin does not seem to help.  Today, he was up at 7am, I kept him up till 1:30PM and he fought it however finally fell asleep.  Woke up crying hysterically by 2:15PM but then fell back to sleep until 3PM. 

Put him to bed at 8PM and he has been up there having a party ever since (it is now 9:30PM).  If he is not crying out for us or crying, we should just leave him be right???  DH is getting so aggravated hearing him playing up in his room. 

Thanks for listening ladies.   

[binxyboo]

Is he is his own bed now, or did I imagine that lol?

[ks6]

Definitely let him be if he's having a party and not upset.    It took us a long time to get used to it.  I am much more relaxed now that I don't worry about it so much.  And trust me, Dave is king of crib parties.  

[jennyh]

i would just leave him to settle himself otherwise it will turn into a game for him

[TDR'smom]

Is he is his own bed now, or did I imagine that lol?

Yes!!      He started leaping out of his crib around 17 months so we had to change him over to a big boy bed.  We did not bother with a crib tent because I think he would have torn it apart.  He actually did really well when we transitioned him and does not try to come out of his room.  He just plays, jumps around, laughs (not sure why...it is pitch black in his room).

Stacy:  That explains Kaleb's wacky sleeping.  Hopefully they pop out soon!!!

He partied till about 10PM and then up at 7am, but happy.  So even though it was a short night...we'll see.

[DavidsMomma]

Judy, I wanted to send some hugs! 
I also wanted to tell you that David got his molars before finishing his other teeth.  He had only two middle on bottom and now also has the 2 molars in back (looks funny), but the rest haven't come in yet.  So, it is possible Tyler could be working on those?  I am still convinced getting the molars is what was causing a lot of our sleep issues (runny nose, feeling yucky) a month or so ago. 
I am also a fan of putting to bed early, nap or bedtime if it might be overtiredness... has worked wonders here.
HTH, at least a little! 
Good luck!

[TDR'smom]

Thanks Kris!!  I had NO IDEA that the 2 year molars could come in before the other ones.  Weird!

So today, I kept him up till 1:30PM (he was up at 7AM) and then did a longer wind down in his room.  Typically I would have taken him upstairs and pretty much just set him in his bed.  Today, I sat in his room with him for a few minutes and he actually found his pacifier, lovey and blanket and then I knew he would be ready to nap.  Asleep by 1:45PM and still sleeping (3PM now).  I will probably get him up pretty soon, which I HATE to do!!!  But hopefully that way he won't party so long in his room.

Will keep everyone posted. 

How are the other lo's sleeping?