My DD is 11 months. After being a 45 min napper for months, at 6 months she started napping well - 2 x 1 - 1.5 hr naps. Lately she's refusing the 2nd nap (and occasionally the first nap too - but that might be teething).
I've read on the "2-1 Nap" board to shorten the first nap to an hour or 45 mins. Shortening it to 1 hr hasn't worked. Tried that for a couple of weeks (mind you she refused a few all together and had a fever for a couple of days). If I shorten it to 45 mins will the 45 nap monster kick in again? Could it mean she'll wake from her 2nd nap at 45 min mark? Should I wake her at 30 mins?
I haven't had 2 decent naps in a row for about 3 weeks now. Occasionally get a 45 min nap after a 1 hr nap. She stands up, sits up (new thing) and cries if I leave. I've learned that if she resists naps or bedtime usually there's something wrong with the routine. Same thing happened when we needed to drop the catnap (resisting bedtime).
I really don't want to fight her and do PUPD etc. Cos I know she knows how to go to sleep by herself. If she resists the 2nd nap I've taken her out in the car believing she'll go down better at night. But it seems that if she wakes any later than 2.30 she resists bedtime as well. (i.e. slept in car till 3.15 or 3.30 = resisting bedtime).
We have had problems at bedtime since she learned to sit up/pull up 3 weeks ago but I think the novelty of that has mostly worn off. Most nights she settles ok now - as long as she has been awake since 2.30 or earlier.
Does this mean she's going to 1 nap, or should I keep trying to cut short the first nap to get a better 2nd nap. It's really driving me crazy.
Routine:
7:00 wakes up (occasionally have to wake her)
7:00 BF (wont’ take much if fed at 5am or later)
8:45 Solids - Breakfast
9:30/10:00 Nap (Usually 1¼ - 1½ hrs)
11:30 BF (starting to drop this feed, moving 3pm feed earlier but she often refuses that too.)
12:30 Solids - Lunch
1:30/2:00 Nap (Was usually 1hr - but sh'es been resisting this lately)
3:30 BF
5:45 Solids - Dinner
6:15 Bath
6:30 BF
6:45 Bedtime wind-down
7:00 In Bed. Usually asleep by 7:30
If she's had no 2nd nap I do dinner at 5pm and aim for 6.30 bedtime (i.e most days lately
We've still got nightwakings and have been feeding....
Usually 10/12 and 5, or just 2/3:
10/12 wakes sometimes, DH can usually resettle.
2 - 3 wakes. DH tries sh-pat. Feed
5 – 5.30. Very occasionally wakes at this time. Feed. If earlier than 6.30 put back to bed.
(I’ve been waiting longer between bedtime feed and put-down 10 mins + and I think it’s improving).
Any advice is much appreciated.