Staying awake longe r- is this normal?

[mrsmynub]

My 17 mo ds has had a pretty regular routine for a few months now - 2-2 1/2 hour nap between 10:30 and 11:30AM and then sleep at 7PM with actual sleep by 7:30-7:45 at the latest.  Yesterday and today have been different.....he has stayed up later during the day and wakes up now between 2-2:30PM, but them is still showing signs of being tired and ready for his normal routine by 7PM.  Then, when I went to check in on him at 8 or 8:30 last night and tonight, he is laying in his crib quiet, but totally awake.  Tonight the poor kid cried because I walked in, but only for 3 or 4 minutes before quieting down again.

Is this normal and should I do anything?

[Layla]

I would keep putting him to bed at normal bedtime. He should be able to handle about 5.5hrs of A time before and after nap. So him nap should be starting around noonish. What time does he wake?

There is nothing really you can do. You can't make him sleep so he'll fall asleep when he's ready. As long as the last hour before bedtime is fairly quiet so he is not too wired up to fall asleep.

hth
Layla

[mrsmynub]

Today is even weirder as he hasn't napped at all.  He normally wakes between 6 and 7 am.  We definitely keep that last hour quiet...no TV, jsut dinner and a bath and some quiet time.  Not sure why he hasn't slept at all today. 

[fifibobandmore]

He is almost 18 months old and some LO at this age like to be more independent. I would say to still but him down 4 his nap and if he does not go to sleep he would have had quite time instead which is just as good as having a sleep. Hope your LO re-starts taking his nap soon as their are days I wish my DD would have just take an hours nap so that I can get some house work done that I do not like doing when she is awake

[Layla]

Toddlers can go through no-napping phases. I would stil offer the nap daily (he's too young not to nap) and like pp said, at least he is getting quiet time if not sleeping. I would also suggest an earlier bedtime if he has not napped.

Let us know how it goes

[mrsmynub]

Thanks for all the help.  I have been putting him down so that at least he has some alone/quiet time....today we did that twice, but I think youa re right with the earlier bed time.  I just don't see how he will stay up as long!!! He has been up since 6Am and I can't imagine how he's doing it!!!

[mrsmynub]

Well, as quickly as that phase came, it seems that it may be over.  The poor kid went to sleep at 6PM last night, and then woke up crying at 7:30PM....just laying in the crib he was so tired.  He fell back to sleep and woke up around 7AM.  He went in for his nap around 10:45AM, fell asleep at 11AM and woke up at 1PM.  He is MUCH happier today....hopefully it will last.

Thanks, ladies for making me feel better.  That's what I love about these boards....you're never alone!!!

[Layla]

That is great to hear!!!

[fifibobandmore]

That is wonderful news so glad he is napping again in the day. This heat we are having at the moment is also terrible 4 LO's that wont take naps. My daughter is now going to bed at  :)6:30PM instead of 7pm as she is just exhausted and she will only have 15 minutes quite time at 12:45 which is good as this is when she will be having quite time when she starts going to nursery in November so we are starting to change her day-time routine so that it is not a big change as she hates big changes so we have to do changes slowly with her including getting her ready for the new baby.