EW Help

[bensmuma]

My DS has always been an early riser 5-630, and for the first 7-8 mos or so was a 3x/day 45 min napper  . We've always maintained the exact same bedtime routine since about 4-5mos and bedtime is never an issue (715pm varies by about 15min either way). Since we dropped the 3rd nap he naps longer, usually 1.5hrs in the am and either a 45 or 1.5 in the afternoon. At first he was also sleeping longer in the am, 630 04 so. Now we're back to waking at 5-530, and no longer content to stay in crib. He used to lay there and talk but now stands at the side of the crib yelling. Sometimes, like this am, I went in and laid him back down at 515 with his paci and blanki and he slept until 625. RARE. Usually it's a fight or we just get him up. We've tried taking him to bed, but he doesn't want to sleep anymore, just play. So my question is two fold: Is there a solution for the EW's? Or is it time for the 2/1 nap switch? He's 13mos and only has NW's when sick or teething. THanks so much!

[brenda2]

sounds like he's ready for the 2 to 1 switch.  have you read the 2 to 1 switch in FAQs?

try limiting one of the naps - i found it was easiest to limit the am nap to 45 or 30 min which will ensure that he'll take another nap in the afternoon.  remember when you limit a nap the 2nd nap will be slightly earlier.  then you just keep limiting the am nap until it s 20 or 15 min with the 2nd nap moving even earlier, and then nap #1 will dissappear altogether and you'll have 1 nap at about 12:30 or 1pm.  when this happens bedtime will have to be a bit earlier to avoid OT.

[bensmuma]

It's hard to imagine him being ready for the 2-1 nap switch. He doesn't tolerate activity time over 4-4.5hrs during the afternoon. And because of the EW, waiting until 12 for a nap would be a nightmare! As it is now, he goes down about 3 hrs after he wakes in the am! I'll have to take a look at the 2-1 nap switch in FAQs, thanks for the suggestion!