Re: sleeping less and less - 16 mo off track

[mmom]

Well, I hope you get out and enjoy the day.  One day of OT isn't too bad.  Your poor sister - that sounds crazy!!

[mmom]

Last night my LO tried to refuse the cat nap.  He was in his crib from 3:15-4 and by 4 he was standing and banging on his crib rails.  Considering he woke from his nap at 10:50, I knew we couldn't push until 6.  DH took him for a (COLD) stroller walk and our LO fought and fought and then finally passed out for 15 minutes.  We had him in bed at 6:30 and he didn't fall asleep until 7.  We had a 5:45 wake time this morning.  I am hoping he can make it until 11, because I don't see how we can even attempt 2 naps today with everything going on.  Tomorrow I could try 2 naps if needed.  Two naps are so hard with him though.  He completely refuses one and it is really cold to do the stroller thing.

It looks like I am not alone with these nap struggles.  Why is sleep so hard at this age?

[mmom]

Ugh, this is not going to be a good nap.  I thought my LO was doing ok and then I decided to give him a bath at 10:30, since I can't this evening and he really needs one.  He cried through the whole thing and while I was dressing him.  I have never moved so quick.  I think he was sleeping by 10:50, but I don't think it will be long.  So the OT will continue.

[babybarr]

Hi Hun,

Your struggle is exactly why we don't bother and just ride with it now.  At least with one nap at approx time you don't spend all day srtuggling to get them to sleep.  I know it isn't ideal but I know that DS won't conform!!!

Big hugs to you, I know how frustrating it is.

Laura

[babybarr]

Your struggle is exactly why we don't bother

  sorry the rest of that sentence should've read why we don't bother with 2 naps.

Is there any way you can AP him back to sleep for his nap?  I know with us if he's tired we just do low key activities before nap.  I guess you won't bother with a bath before nap again!!

Not sure what to suggest.

[mmom]

No, he is sleeping right now.  Today is a 1 nap day. Yesterday, we had problems with 2 naps. Today I just couldn't.   But he was so tired before it that I don't think it will be a good one.

[mmom]

2.5 hours!!!!   Woo hoo!!!!!  I thought I was in trouble because he kept waking 45 minutes, 1 hour 30 minutes, 2 hours, etc.  But every time he cried out, rolled over and went back to sleep.

[*Becky*]

Hi
Been following your thread and realised that we are going through the exact same thing. Last 2 days have been worse than usual with 1.20 total day sleep yesterday and 40 mins today so who knows what will happen tonight? Are you doing one nap most days then or trying to do 2? My lo is fighting all naps but I know if I put him on 1 it will be short and just be OT all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!
bx

[babybarr]

WOOHOO!!!  SO pleased for you.  He obviously needed it even if a little OT hence the crying out.  We too had a good nap today.

Henry1, most of the time once they realise they are not getting another sleep they eventually extend their one nap.  Is your LO usually a good napper?

[mmom]

Henry, we have been doing 1 nap, but try 2 naps occasionally due to OT.  But those days never go well.  I still try once per week if the situation is bad like it was yesterday.  The problem that we were getting 1 hour 30 minute naps, which isn't bad for my LO, but it still meant early bed.  I wanted to tackle the early wake up, but that is hard when naps are short and we can't push bedtime.  However, in the midst of all of that, I had a few days were we were out or someone else was watching my LO and he didn't nap.  Then he got OT and here we are. 

Would you believe that he is still tired and I feel like he still needs an early bedtime?  Would that be crazy?  DH said we should still push to 5 hours A, which is what this morning was.  But his eyes are all red and watery and he is whimpery and it is only 5:30.  Just goes to show that 1 good nap doesn't undo days of OT.

[Mashi]

Kara I know it is now too late for an answer about last night, with the time change! But, I would have done the early bed.  I would not have pushed to 5h A but I would have pushed until 6pm -- calm bath at 5, stories and quiet cuddles until 540/545ish and into bed so he has quiet time and asleep by 6pm.  I know there is the danger of an EW if he gets caught up on sleep before 6am, but the rule in our house is that we do what is right at the time and deal with the consequences later. So if he's tired early he goes to bed...if that gets an EW from being well rested then at least we are starting the day with a well rested little boy rather than an OT one. Pushing bedtime will most likely get an OT EW anyway, right? 

Curious what you chose and how things went!!

[*Becky*]

Babybarr - no he is a terrible napper!!! The most we have had in the last 3.5 months is 1.20 and that is not often....crazy really but he is a great night sleeper...at the moment anyway! We have very similar issues to Kara with early mornings due to early bedtimes due to short naps etc etc. Thanks for the help x

[mmom]

Mashi, the craziness of the holidays kicked off last night and we had family here.  My LO was not social and just wanted DH to hold him.  So despite DH wanting to keep him up so he could see everyone and not wake early, I brought him to bed at 6:05 to get ready.  I don't think the A time before bed was low key like you suggested, but it wasn't too bad considering he was attached to DH the whole time and just sitting on his lap.  He didn't fall asleep until 6:30 though.  He slept from 6:30 - 5:30.  So yes, looking back, I should have just had him in bed before 6.  I will see how he is doing today and decide if I should get 2 naps in him.  Two nap days are just such a disaster.  But I don't want him to be exhausted during all of this craziness.

[mmom]

Grrrr 1 hour 20 minute nap today.  It is only 12:10 and he is sitting up in his crib babbling.  I am leaving him for now, but I don't expect him to fall back asleep.  I really need to squeeze a cat nap out of him, because I can't push him until 6 when he has been so OT.

I saw the weather report for Christmas here is supposed to be very snowy.  A stroller is how I normally force a cat nap into him if needed and I am already worrying about that day.  I hate dealing with these OT/nap situations!

[mmom]

It is so windy out.  I don't know if I can even stroller ride a nap out of him.  I know he won't take a nap if i just put him in his crib.  Any ideas?