Hey Emma!
I read over your other post on the naps boards too, but I think I'll keep responding here, because there is a bit more info I think here. I can't remember if I referred you to the 2-1 nap switch link or not, but there are a few ways that lo's start to consolidate their day time sleep in preparation to get to just 1 nap:
1) They start fighting the morning nap, but go down better for the pm nap with a shorter am nap
2) They take the a really good morning nap, but fight the afternoon nap
I've found that dd sort of did both - she would fight the am nap, but once down, took a long good nap, and would then fight the pm nap as well. I got tired of fighting, and that is when we were able to figure out she needed more A time for that first A time of the day, AND I had to shorten the nap to 1hr in order for her to take a decent pm nap (1.5-2hrs) AND for the pm nap not to be too late.
So given what our experience has been, I think you are on the right track with needing more A times, esp. in the am before the am nap, although she probably will need those gradual increments to increase like they've suggested in your Naps post. At that age, dd needed the 3.5hr A time in the morning, a short nap, and then more like 3hr A time btwn naps, and sometimes even a little last after the pm nap and before bed - that was when I read her cues the most, otherwise I went by the clock.
As far as wind down goes, that age was also REALLY hard for us. I've noticed that our wind down has grown and evolved over the months as dd gets more active and older. IF I get her A time right, I've found that the best wind down for us is:
Changing diaper
Turn out lights/close blinds/curtains
Sit in rocker (we rock) while I hold her facing outwards and sing our sleep song (Amazing Grace-we sing this for just about every sleep time, although recently it's been more christmas carols as well, and she still gets the idea that it is time for sleep
)
I have to keep on hand on her crotch basically to keep her from wriggling down, and the other on her chest to keep her reclined, otherwise she'll keep trying to sit up and play in my lap. She may fuss or wriggle a little bit, but if we're really in the right nap window, then this goes pretty smoothly. I sing for a bit, and once she seems relaxed and tired I'll pick her up and put her over my shoulder. If she lays her head down on my shoulder, and puts her hands down under her belly, I know she's ready to go to bed. I typically quit rocking and singing here, and hold for no more than a minute, then into the crib she goes. Most times she'll go right to sleep if she is good and relaxed by this. If she fights any of the above, I'll either give her more quiet A time if she doesn't seem tired (and has been well rested up until this point) and then try again, of I just do more rocking and singing with her facing outwards if I think she is OT.
If nothing else, I hope this gives you some ideas! Let us know how things go for you!!!
