we've lost our way

[PeepersMom]

Ok, well here we are again and have lost our course..

DS 26 months old just can't seem to get the sleep thing right both at night and day.  He is always on the tired side, so I do not think this is all he needs for sleep.  I have been really working on this, but I wonder if I am missing something.

currently we are getting 10.5h at night - on rare occasion 11 and 45min nap.  That's it.

I have been putting him down earlier than ever for the night knowing that he takes up to an hour to fall asleep at night and it has made a difference.  In fact he is mostly falling asleep in 45min instead of 1.5 hours we were having for some time, but still the naps are so short.  That could also be why it is only  taking 45min to fall asleep at night.....

Current routine is like this (I adjust based on wake up times)

Wake 630am
nap 12 (I was doing 1230 but took advice from the board and moved nap time. He now falls asleep like a dream but won't stay asleep)
in crib 630-7pm based on nap
asleep 745-8ish (if supper early day he will fall asleep earlier)

I am wondering if I should put him down any earlier to try to get him to fall asleep earlier at night?  It seems so ridiculous to put him down at 6pm in hopes that he will fall asleep by 730! 

And any other ideas on lengthening the nap?  I could try going back to 6h awake time in the morning.  I know he isn't dropping his nap as he loves to take it, he just can't seem to get past that first sleep cycle.  I think he needs 30 more min of sleep a day and ideally another 60.  (man I feel like I have been saying that his whole life!!)  I leave him in his crib after he wakes.  He usually wakes up crying (nap only) and asking to get out and play. Today he woke up crying but then settled down and is now making the noises he makes when he is falling asleep - but I know he won't fall back to sleep. I wish, he never has.

the one bugaboo we have is that since we moved to our flat in SF it has been so noisy, somedays the neighbors wake him during his nap - well, a lot of days they do - despite all my best efforts to block out noise.  I am wondering if the frequent wake ups could actually cause him to no longer know how to get past that first sleep cycle?  Am I over thinking this?  They never seem to wake him at night, btw.

thanks

meg

[holdenlouis]

Hi My ds has also been doing this early wake and 45 min. nap. Don't have any suggestions for you right now  though sorry. I did post on toddler sleep board too but nobody's on tonight it seems. Just wanted to say I'm there with you and mark a spot. Holden is about your lo's age also. We just got through some sleep issues ourselves.
Lisa

[PeepersMom]

thanks, something about the age, I guess... or rather, I know.

last night I put PJ down at 630 and he fell asleep at 730 and slept till 7!  finally a decent night sleep.  we'll see what today brings.

i know the earlier he falls asleep the better his night is even if it is 15 min early, but it has just become so hard to get him down early enough when it takes him at least 45 min to fall asleep....

I'll check out your post.

Meg

[holdenlouis]

Glad you had a decent night hope today you get a good nap too

[Layla]

Hey Meg... sounds like the nap is short due to environmental issues (noises) rather than him not being able to transition . At that age I used to put Bella to sleep around 6pm (she woke at 6am always) & she would fall asleep straight away... so I guess if he has a short nap then keep going with the earlier bedtime

What a great night, btw

[PeepersMom]

unfortuntately I think you are right... boo hoo...  He slept 1h10 min today which was great!  but he did wake up when the peope downstairs slammed the door!  UGH!!!  but I was happy to see he can transition, just has to be the right enviornment  It is hard when you don't have control.  Just have to put him down super early on the days they wake him (most)

[Layla]

I hate that too (not being able to control the environment). Unfortunately I am in the exact same position as you....with Jasmine. Her room is on the same side as a neighbour with a dog. The dog barks randomly throughout the day (depending on the weather & if he's allowed outside) & if the weather is nice (which it is mostly this time of the year) so he can wake her at 45mins, 1hr or 2hrs. We have a fan in her room & I've tried to put it on high but it doesn't seem to drown out the dog's barking (he barks at NOTHING... & it gets me so ed that I want to go to my neighbour & ask him to keep the dog indoors between 11-2 ). Isabella's room is at the other side of the house & those neighbours are fairly quiet. I tried to put Jasmine in Isabella's cot but she didn't fall asleep until I put her back (smart girl... too used to her own cot)

I do the same thing as you... short nap & long night. If the nap was good then later bedtime.