20 month old---moving day forward not a success---now in OT cycle!!

[Sima]

I was putting my lo by awake times and driving my self nuts doing this.  Many times not knowing when she actually woke up.
Anyways, decided to fix her nap time and BT to move the day forward:
Wake up 6-6.30
Nap 12.30 (previous nap 12)
BT 7.30
Worked for couple days and took better naps (1.5-2)ironically and then yesterday woke up earlier than ever!!! OT I assume...it caught up.
So had to do catnap in evening because today nap was at 11 and woke up at 12!
I am frustrated....
Should I fix nap time at 12 again..I was getting 1.15 naps when doing this and this meant early BT and early wake up and the whole circle begins.
Any suggestions anyone..thanks in advance

[Sima]

Thanks Stacey, I appreciate your suggestions. 
Yes, I guess set clock does not work for everyone.  Was doing better before I tried doing this.  She was having NW but put herself back to sleep..gladly. 
I have tried 11.30, but afraid if wakes up at 1.15 min..again EW.
Anyways, I am moving nap to 12 as you said.
Things don't look too promising with fixed time.

One Questions Stacey:  you meant 5.5 awake after awake and also 5.5 to bedtime?  I think 6 awake time not working.

[Sima]

Thanks Stacey!  I appreciate your input.  I am going back to the way it was before with 5.5 awake time.  Just seems to work better. 
Today I put her at 5.5 after wake up and she slept almost 2 hours. 
Hugs to you and Kaleb, Siria

[Vicku]

Hugs Siria!

I'm sorry you're still having problems with the naps! It's so hard to find what works for your own LO as they are all so different and what works great for one doesn't work at all with another.
If A times worked better then go back to that, I agree. If you suspect accumulated OT she will need to catch up too, and maybe if nap finishes early and you're getting EWs again from early bedtime, throw in a pm catnap at some days to help 're-set' bedtime to stop the vicious circle from spiralling out of control. Hopefully if she catches up from OT her naps will lengthen from that and badtimes will be at a more reasonable hr and EWs will disappear and nap will be able to be pushed slowly.

Stay patient hun, it's always a matter of finding what works for your LO and it can sometimes be a bit difficult but you'll get there

[Sima]

Vicku, thanks for writing!!! I am a bit discouraged.
Clearly, she is OT big time.  She is screaming and kicking when wakes up from nap.  Also, waking up early.  Short naps too...oh my goodness! 
Yes, I will follow your advise of catnaps when needed or else the cycle will continue of EW.
I was doing 6 hours in morning and 5.5 in evening.
I am starting to do 5/5.5 awake time.  Oh well, at least we tried.
Vicku, I will keep you posted.  Enough about us!
How are you and your lo doing???  Thanks again!

[skatty]

I would also say try and get a sneaky morning catnap in instead of trying for PM catnap at this age, I have done it by being in the car or pushchair around 4 hours after an early wake and then LO can take her main nap at a normal time so even if it is short bedtime wont be ridiculously early.

[Sima]

Thanks for suggestions!  She has fallen asleep in car in morning and then when I put her down later she won't sleep again.  She will only do afternoon catnap.
 
Had a hard day though!  She has been crying due to OT when put her down for naps and BT.  Usually in the past, she goes right down the way I was doing it before by awake times.  She is CRANKY and also not herself.  I can't believe how easily she gets OT.

[Vicku]

Hi Siria,
I wrote the last post quickly before going away for a few days, so that's why I've not replied til now...
We're very well thank you. Been to my friends' and Lois has not had a nap in a cot for 3 days (in the car, short naps) but she's been very good and STTN. Hoping things will keep going well with her routine now as we're home. She's starting daycare induction next week and I'm nervous! But that's enough about us after all it is your thread.
How are you getting on? Any luck with catnaps?

[Sima]

Hi Vicku!  I am glad you had a nice time with friends.  And Lois, wow, she seems to be adaptable with napping.  I hope daycare goes well!!!! Let me know how it goes!
As to my lo, I have not had to give her catnaps because she is getting over being OT by putting her to BT early and she is sleeping later-past 6.30.  She is no longer resisting sleep as when OT.
She continues to take 1.15 min naps & today 1 hour.  But she has been sleeping over 11 hours at night.  So we are doing better.  But today went to nap at 12 and woke up at 1.  Seemed like something bothered her..but don't know what.  She has all her teeth for now.  Who knows???
Hugs to you both!

[Vicku]

Siria, that's good news! I'm glad she's sleeping better and no longer OT and resisting sleep. 11 hrs and over at night is great, so then you don't have to worry about the 1.15 naps. She's getting enough for it to be healthy and maybe naps will lengthen over time as she settles into her routine, maybe not. I know a few kids this age who only ever had 1-1.5 hr naps on 1 nap. The key is finding what works for you and sticking to that consistently (being flexible when required) over time.
Update us how you are getting on whenever you feel like it Hugs back to you both!

[Sima]

Vicku!  I agree..maybe that is just the way it will be.  She is sleeping over 11 hours and 1.15 naps so that is fine!! She seems fine to me.
So 5.5/5.5 will be awake time for her both sides.
Thanks for all the support you have given---means sooooo much to me!!!!