Author Topic: help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety  (Read 1039 times)

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Offline rubber_da_glove

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help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety
« on: November 10, 2009, 10:26:29 am »
I know we are moving to 1 nap. We have been doing one long nap and one short nap for a while but DS has just started with SA when I put him down for a nap and cries. I don't know if he's UT (he has 3.5-3.45A time first) or if he is crying because he's got SA from me. He keeps refusing his naps and just cries even though I know he's tired. He sleeps eventually but usually because he's exhausted.

Also I'm confused as what to do with the 2nd nap as his A times get longer. At most he has a 2hr nap and this is maybe 1-2 times a month so our day mostly looks like this:

6am wake and FF
7am solids
9.45 S
11.15 wake
11.30 Solids
2.45 S
3.15 (I wake him)
4 solids
6.30 FF and bed.

So if I put him to bed at say 10-10.15 should I give him a snack before so he doesn't get hungry? Then he would wake up around 11.30-12ish..would I cram in a CN and put him to bed maybe closer to 7? When will he start sleeping longer for his 1 nap??!

When he refuses his AM nap I usually get him to sleep around 11 and he will get up at 12.30 then I take him to bed at 5.30. We have been having some NW and EW but he puts himself back to sleep so they don't bother me TOO much but I know it would be better for him if he didn't keep getting OT.

Anyway....I need some help :)

Offline becky1969

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Re: help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2009, 01:36:18 am »
If you only see SA signs at sleep periods, then it's probably not SA.  If he's clingy ALL the time it *may* be SA, or may simply be a sign that those evil molars are starting to come in!

the way the 2-1 nap switch works is we try to make the PM nap the long one, and we slowly shorten the AM nap.  The reason we do this is 2 fold:

1) At around this age, babies start to refuse PM naps if they've had too much sleep in the AM.  so, by keeping AM nap short we preserve PM nap; and

2) A longer PM nap helps make it less likely that he's OT at bedtime.  A shorty PM nap can lead to OT and then lots of NWs or EWs.  Esp. during the 2-1 nap switch as they increase their As really quickly.


Since he's crying at nap time, I suspect one or two reasons: 1) he needs to extend A time, or 2) he's teething and uncomfortable.

I'd probably try making nap a bit later (tho his As are def. reasonable for his age right now) first, and if that doesn't work then I might try medicating before nap and see if that helps.

Try 4 hours prior to nap 1 and limit to 1 hour and see if that works.


Now, if he's only crying before PM nap, then I'd leave Nap #1 time the same but still limit to 1 hour.  


The fact that he's having NWs and EWs and putting himself back to sleep suggests to me that he's uncomfortable, and this is the prime age for teeth.
Owen, 12/28/05 7 lb 2 oz

Enjoying the toddler years!

Offline A pair of Charlies

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Re: help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2009, 21:25:50 pm »
Becky's said it all!  :)

Some FAQs on the 2-1 transition that I found really helpful:
 * http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=95670.0
 * http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=41952.0

HTH

Charlotte

Offline rubber_da_glove

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Re: help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2009, 09:35:46 am »
Thank you. It could be teeth, I haven't thought about that. He has 7 already and I keep forgetting that they all have to come through some time!!

I have tried making the AM nap short but he still only sleeps 45mins or still has nap refusal for his 2nd nap which is why I have been letting him sleep. is this a phase? should I keep trying with a short AM nap?

Offline A pair of Charlies

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Re: help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2009, 21:08:12 pm »
What does his EASY look like with the short AM nap?

Offline rubber_da_glove

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Re: help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2009, 18:52:30 pm »
Sorry has a busy day :)

it goes like this:

wake/E 6am
solids 7
S 10
Wake 10.30-10.45
solids 11
S 1.45-2.30
solids 4
bed 6

If I let him sleep in the morning then he gets up at 11.30 and I try and get him to CN around 3ish.

Today was a BAD OT day and he would not CN and got very OT by bedtime then screamed and screamed until I gave him a cuddle then went fast asleep on me and wouldn't let me move (when I did he screamed again) I eventually put him down when he was fast asleep but I'm expecting a lot of NW tonight :(

Offline A pair of Charlies

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Re: help on 2-1 switch and separation anxiety
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2009, 22:39:19 pm »
How about cutting the am A time a little, say 15mins (maybe 3h30) but keeping the am nap to 45mins. Then bringing the pm nap a little earlier, say 15mins earlier at least (I think OT is why fighting nap) which gives you 15 mins to add to the final A of the day. What do you think?