Early Wakings with the 2-1 nap switch

[Grace's Mom]

We are at the start of week 2 with the wonderful ( ) 2 -1 nap switch. 

Grace has been waking up well before 6am every day for about 4 days now.  We don't really know what time she wakes up as she just lays in her crib quietly, but can kind of guess by watching what she is doing when we get up at 6am. 

The problem is I can't really put her down too much earlier when she wakes early for her nap as that will cause a 4pm bedtime...not good.  Her naps lengths have not been consistant....most days they are around 1.25 hours but one day we got a 2 hour nap in and others, due to poop, she has slept less than 1 hour.  When that happens she is out like a light by 6pm.  However she has really never needed a 12 hour night but I can't keep her up much past 6pm as she's already sooo tired.

I have tried two naps but they are usually a no go, so then we have an even longer A time before bed. 

She is somewhat tired through out the day but that is normal for all lo's going through the 2-1 nap switch so it's hard for me to tell if it's normal or not.

No crying before naps or bedtime! 

Here is our ideal routine....
6am wake
11-? nap
6:30 ish asleep (in bed at 6).


Any suggestions?

Not sure if any of what I wrote made sense. 

Monday
5:00 woke crying.  Went in and snuggled...laid her back down, but she didn't not go back to sleep.  Just laid there until I got her at 6:15
Dr. Visit/Flu Shot....was about to fall asleep on the way home but we got home before she was fully out....couldn't lay her down early as I had to feed her and Mia (the little girl I watch) before hand.
11:15-1:20 nap....our 1st 2 hour nap.  Not sure if it was because she was up for 6 hours or because of the shot
6:30 asleep

Here is yesterday....
5:30 wake (ish)
11:05-11:40ish nap....I left her in there for an hour but there was no going back to sleep.
Tried for a 2nd nap at 2:30...left her in there until 3:30 but it was a no go.  Played most of the time.
6pm laid down, was out by 6:15

Today
Up before 5:40am....not sure exactly what time.  Didn't make any noise, just laid there quietly until I got her up at 6:15am.

Thanks.
Melissa

[momofclaire]

Melissa,
Based on those last three days I would say she is slowly getting herself regulated and sleeping later in the morning.
How much A time do you think she can handle in the morning?  I would have her down for her nap at 11 as 5 hours A time is a good amount for her age.  The only other thing I would suggest is laying her down at 5:45 in the hope that she is asleep by 6:00. An extra 15-30 minutes might help. 
The transition is tough for many.  Hang in there. You are doing great really.  She will slowly setttle into a great routine.  Give it another week or two.
Myia

[Grace's Mom]

Today....

Up before 5:40
I tried an early nap at around 9:30 but it was a no go so I got her up and gave her brunch and laid her down at 10:40 and she was out by 10:45.  She woke up at 11:45     Now we have over 6 hours until bed  Oh well.  At least she got in an hour, right.

I will try laying her down by 5:45. 

I was hoping she'd go back to sleep or at least relax but I hear her in there screeching and playing.  So much for 2 hours of Y time 

Off to eat really quick before she really wants out.

[elmarie]

My dd has just completed the 2-1 switch.(touch wood).  For now her routine is

5.45-6 wake
11ish nap (1-1 1/2h)
6ish (asleep)

I find 5A in morning is all she can handle and a bit longer 5.5 A after nap.  We hoping too start moving the nap later, but at this stage she is not ready for that.

[Grace's Mom]

I put her down early last night and it back fired as she was up at 5am 
I really just don't think she can handle that much sleep at night, not matter how little sleep she has gotten during the day.

She was quiet  and still in her room until I got her at 6am but was a bear while changing her diaper as she is just so exhausted. 

***She is also teething!

Do I put her down at 10am (5 hours of A time)?   If she sleeps then, she'll be up by 11/11:30 and then will have to be up for 7 hours which won't be good for either of us. 

I can try for 2 naps (I tried yesterday but it was a big no go)....10 minute 1st putting her down at like 9:30 or so and then try for a loger 2nd nap at around 12:30 or so.

What do you all think I should do?

Thanks.
Melissa

[momofclaire]

Melissa,
Many moms do 2 naps one day (if lo will cooperate) and one the next while transitioning.  You might try that or try some "quiet time."  Do you think she will sit down with you and read or listen to music in the afternoon?  That might help her relax and rest even though she might not sleep it might help her make it till bedtime. 
The teeth could also be complicating this.
 

[Grace's Mom]

Sit still....ha! 
My spirited monkey has never sat still with me (for more than about a minute)....on her own terms yes.  So, maybe I can encourage some reading time and hope she'll sit down for more than 5 minutes.  After the little girl I watch goes home, I am sure DH and I will run an errand so that will get her to sit in the car seat for a bit.

I will try for one nap this morning and just pray she takes it.  Now if I let her sleep for about 10 minutes....how soon after do I put her down for her 2nd nap?

[momofclaire]

I would put her down for the second nap about 3 hours later. 

[Grace's Mom]

Success...I got her to take a 10 minute nap from 9:45-9:55 and I got the other little girl I watch, who is also transitioning to one nap, to do the same thing 

I will make sure they are in their cribs at 12:45(ish) and asleep by 1pm. 

Thanks a bunch.

I'll let you know how it goes.
Melissa

[Grace's Mom]

Of course both the girls were complete bears after only have 10 minutes of sleep and mommy was going crazy after having 6+ hours with no Y time....lots of temper tantrums, you name it.  I put them down a tad bit early because they were clearly exhausted.  Mia fell right to sleep, but Grace WILL NOT GO TO SLEEP.  She was full on about to pass out and then once I left her room she started playing and screaming (with joy) and will not fall asleep.  What in the world is going on.  I really hope she goes to sleep soon, or I am going to have zero A time in 13 hours as Mia will be getting by the time Grace is going down....it always happens like that    Which means I'll be stuck with Mia in my bedroom so that she doesn't wake up Grace....if Grace ever goes to sleep.  I hear her in there making monkey sounds now 


WWWWWHHHHHHYYYYY!  I thought I had such a good thing going.  If she doesn't go back to sleep then she be up for 8+ hours....no good.

Maybe I'll get her out, let her run around for a few minutes and then try again.

Melissa


****A few hours later...

Grace FINALLY fell asleep at 1:45 and I woke her up at 3pm so we could have a somewhat decent bedtime.  We laid her down at 6:45(ish) asleep by 7pm so here's hoping for a later wake up tomorrow. 

Melissa

[momofclaire]

I think she was probably to worked up and overtired for that second nap.  Let me know how the night goes. 

I would try something like this tomorrow, based on a 7:00 wake
7:00 wake
11:30 (15 minute nap)
1:30 (hope for 1.5-2 hour nap)
7:00 bed time

My thinking is that a short nap might not buy you three hours but it might buy 2.  KWIM?

[Grace's Mom]

Will do.

It will most likely be based on a 6am wake up as she has never slept in until 7am, but that would be wonderful if she did.  Thanks for the advice.  I agree that she probably needed to go down earlier.

I'll let you know how it all goes.  I do have Mia tomorrow so hopefully I'll be able to work it out with the two of them again.

Melissa

[Grace's Mom]

Up at 5:45am, better than 5am but still not 6am.

I may just do one nap today as we are going away for the weekend (leaving in the early afternoon) and she'll have to do one nap Saturday and Sunday as well be at the beach all morning and going out all afternoon so there won't be time for two naps.  I'll just play it by ear today.  Hmmmm....I just give things a few more days to settle in and just focus on following her cues. 

Thanks again for all your help.
Melissa

[momofclaire]

5:45 is better than 5! 

She'll get there.  Keep me posted. Have fun at the beach!  Sounds like a blast.
Myia

[Grace's Mom]

She took a 2 hour nap today!   

-Melissa