Afternoon nap disturbing nightime sleep?

[Dairy Queen]

Hi there,

My son is 20 months old now.  We've had our ups and downs with sleep issues, but he's been good so far.  Until last month, routine was:

6:30 am wake
11:30 - 1:00 (or sometimes until 1:30) nap
7:00 pm in bed, and sleeping by 7:30pm

For a total of 12.5 - 13 hours of sleep.

Now, in recent weeks, his afternoon nap has been extended to 2:30 hours, and sometimes even 3 hours.  I guess he's tired, so I let him sleep, but the routine is now more like:

5:30am wake
11:30 - 2:00 (or sometime 2:30) nap
7:45 pm in bed, and sleeping by 8:30pm after lots of talking and whining

For a total of about 12 hours of sleep, with a high probably of waking up at least once at night.

Should I cut the afternoon nap to 2 hours or less?  5:30am wake time is tough on mommy, but I usually only go pick him up around 6:15am, after he's called me about 700 times.

Could the early waking be caused by the long afternoon nap?  or is it vice-versa?  Seems like a difficult cycle to break.  Do you think the naps may be disturbing the nightime sleep or could it be something else?

Thanks,
Sherry

[TDR'smom]

Sherry,

I definitely think the long nap could be throwing his night time sleep off.  Try keeping it to 2 hours and see how that goes.  It stinks waking them up from their naps....I know.... However, most lo's only need a certain amount of sleep...

Good luck!

[Dairy Queen]

Thanks.  And then when should I put him down?  As soon as he shows signs of fatigue?  7? or 8?

[Colin Macs Mom]

Personally, I would put him down at 7 if he's waking at 5:30am.

[Dairy Queen]

7:00pm, even if it means he stays up in his crib until 7:45/8:00?

[TDR'smom]

7:00pm, even if it means he stays up in his crib until 7:45/8:00?

Yes, many times DS will play in his room for 30-45 minutes before falling asleep for the night.  At least you will be giving him the opportunity to sleep.