Toddler Support Thread for 2-1 Nap Transition Continued

[Momofbeckett]

Thanks - we'll just stay where we're at for now, then. Our pediatrician told me that he is old enough to move to one nap and should probably go to one nap soon. She didn't give any "real" reason to move to one nap other than that he was probably ready to at 18 months.  She had mentioned at the last checkup at 15 months that he should make the move, but I told her that he was taking two really good naps a day and sleeping well at night. It's good to know that you all both think staying where we are at is good for now. We'll just wait for him to show signs that he's ready for an even shorter morning nap. Thanks for your help!!!

[Tweakster]

Hi there, yeah I mean sure he's probably at an age where you could force him on to one nap if you wanted...but I am always of the mind 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' and he is getting optimal sleep and you are getting 2 nice breaks a day - I think it's a win/win for everyone :-)  If there is a need due to daycare arrangements or if he's waking at night or showing signs of needing to be on one nap then it makes sense but until that time comes - enjoy it!  He will just transition himself or show you when he's ready. 

[Nauvoo]

Wow, your lucky momofbeckett, if only.....

So the last two days have been a bit wonky and my LO has been having 10 hour nights and only about 1 hour 10-20min of sleep a day.  However, I'm determined to get back on track today.  I'm going with a 20min am nap and we'll see what we get for a pm nap.

I do have a question though for anyone who has any advice.  I know my ultimate goal is one nap but how do I know when to try one nap?  I've tired it recently and she only slept 1hr 20min.  I'm not sure where the first A time should be.   Should I be stretching out the first A time even more, right now we are at 4hrs for our first A time followed by a 20min nap?  It was mentioned to me to decrease the 2nd A time between naps but how do you do that?  I hate to have a negative outlook but I doubt that will fly around here.

[Tweakster]

Hi there, when we went to 20 min that second A dropped on it's own.  I didn't think it would fly either but if I had made a bet, I would have lost.  He just could not sustain a long A because 20 mins is like less than a CN, they just basically shut their eyes, start going into a transition and BAM they are awake before it happens.  So it's almost a non-nap.  But if gives you that little bit of stalling to push them out a bit.  I would try 3 hours after a 4 hour first A and 20 mins...if you get a short nap you will know that she needs more. 
So like
Awake 7
Nap 20 mins @ 11 - 11:20
Nap 1.5/2 hrs @ 2:20/2:30 - 4
Bedtime asleep by 7:30/8

I think once she can do 4.5 hours A or more you can push to one nap.  Or you can just push to one nap and see what happens.  But you would need to do it for several days I think before you can say it didn't work or before the nap will lengthen.  Her body has to get used to the fact that this is the one and only nap offering - use it or lose it hehe :-)

[Nauvoo]

Wendy,
thanks tons.  I would love to push to one nap.  Last week we tried a couple one nap days because of the craziness going on here.  We got 1 hour 20 min naps, which only added to the craziness.  However, I noticed that my LO wasn't in the least bit cranky.  In fact she was really happy to my surprise.  Only problem is it caused some EW that turned into late wakings, if that makes sense.  She's wake after 10hours night sleep and play in her crib for 30min to 1hr and then fall asleep again waking later not leaving enough time in the day for 2 naps.
 I put my LO down today after 4 hours this morning and woke her at the 20min mark and she was soooooo crabby until she was down for her 2nd nap after 3hrs 15min A time.  I think she just wasn't tired enough to nap because it took her forever to fall asleep.  I really hesitate to let her sleep more that 1.5hours for the pm nap because even with that behind her she needs at least 4hours before bed and with that she has been known to take up to 45min to fall asleep for the night.  Do you think it would be worth a shot to just try to switch to one nap and give it a week to see if it works?  She was really happy  those 2 days we did 1nap days, but I'm nervous that it will wear off after a few days.

[hjrmom01]

We've done a few one nap days. At first we were getting 1.5 hr naps. The other day we got almost 2.5 hrs and a good night so we tried one nap again...then only 1 hr15 mins  

I think when H first went to the 20 min am nap he was doing just under or right around 3 hrs. It has slowly crept up to 3h15-25min so occasionally I do a 15 min am nap.

Unfortunately he's come down with a nasty cold/chest infection. He was up all night coughing. I feel like he's lost his ability to go back to sleep on his own, too. The past few nights I've woken up to find him awake and then about 30 mins later he starts crying. He's really moving on his molars so I don't know if that has to do with it or not.  I know it wasn't UT because he did almost 4.75hr on a 1hr15min nap yesterday!  He would NOT go to sleep and he fought it so hard...def. OT.

When your lo is sick, like just a cough/runny nose or something, do you allow for extra sleep or shorten A's?  He's been SO clingy and whiny as I'm sure he doesn't feel well. I did give him 20 mins this am and he did about 3hr20 mins on that. Poor thing can't breathe trying to suck his lovey (yes, I know...gross, he sucks his lovey but never would take a pacifier!) We'll see what kinda nap we get. I just don't know if I should let him sleep longer or maybe shorten his last A before bed because he's sick??? We were doing SO well with the one nap..first time ever that we did 2 in a row!

[Tweakster]

When Finn was sick a couple of days ago, his naps were better, his A's were shorter, his nights were poo but whatever.  Now he's feeling better, slept almost 10 hours straight last night (and yes that's a BIG improvement to me sleeping on his floor 2 days ago!) and as a result his naps went to pot today.  Refused AM and then got really grotty not long after and gave me a 1 hour from 11:40 - 12:40.  No idea what to do now.  The later the day goes on the less likely he is to nap.

Alyssa I would probably let him sleep, as much as he needs so he gets over the illness as quickly as possible.  If you can tell he's not feeling well then he likely needs the sleep.

Nauvoo - it would mean that you have to ride out any OT - possibly with early bedtime, if you are prepared to do that then you could move to one nap and I would give it a really long go to be honest, it's not something she will probably adapt to in a day or two.  But if you think you can't stick it out for the long haul then I would wait until you feel confident about getting a longer nap on a one nap day.

I just feel like that hamster in the wheel, always running towards something but never getting there.

[gavinsmum1]

Alyssa, it's not only gross, it's smelly, but my eldest does the same thing!!  I have to wash his every third day or so. Yick.  I thought my son was the only one...

Okay, so we're getting better in terms of fussiness with Jesse, but not naps.  Today although we had numerous NWs, Jesse's wake-up was 6:45. First nap, was at 10:10 (lots of tired signs) and he woke crying at 30 min.  So, we put him down at 2:00 and same thing, woke crying after 30 min.  What does this mean?  HIs first nap is OT because he's still so OT from two lousy nap days in a row and bad nights, or is it just from the discomfort from his ear infection?  He's now been on anti-biotics for two days.  I'm desperate here!!  I just don't know how to kick this OT, if that's even what it is!  He woke from his pm nap at 2:30, it was only 30 minutes, so what do I aim for in terms of bedtime?  I don't have a clue!!!  When he was sick two weeks ago with cold #1, his A times were 3 hours and he was out for ages.  Now, he won't sleep at all and NWs are obscene in number.  Does anyone have magical advice for me?  Please?

[*Jo*]

he should be starting to feel better with Anti biotics but i would say hes still getting over it all, i would put him down earlier, so if he woke at 6.45, i wouldve had him in bed earlier, having his A time at 3 hours again because it def looks like hes OT

[gavinsmum1]

Here's to crossing his fingers that he has a decent night and I can start the day fresh tomorrow.

[*Jo*]

I tried one nap today... pushed him to 4.5 hours, he handled it fine, was getting a bit cranky at the end of it but went to sleep wihtout a peep and slept.....1 hour 10mins! thats just ridiculous!

[Nauvoo]

Calebsmummy, this always happens when we try one nap.  I could have just written that exact post about 2 days ago.  If you find out any secrets to getting a longer nap, PLEASE let me know.

[hjrmom01]

Jo, I'm sorry Caleb only slept 1hr10 min. That happened to us yesterday! 1hr15 min    And then refusing bedtime, definitely OT.

H is really congested, coughing and snotty, raspy breathing. Still active and eating but a bit more whiny (hard to imagine). We did end up with a good pm nap. I woke him at 3:40 after 1hr35mins. Bedtime was a bit more difficult. Went down ok but then started screaming. Took me until 8 to get him to sleep. Then...he wakes at 9:40 screaming! I tried to let him settle himself but he was getting really upset. I just went in and patted his back for a second and then just sat there. What's up with those NWs?

[*Jo*]

It's just so frustrating right? He actually woke up screaming a sharp peircing cry so that was unusual, plus he's been cranky since waking, should I try again tomorrow or go back to two naps?

[hjrmom01]

Jo, I always base my one nap days on H's wake up. I try to only do them if we have a good night (or decent night these days!) and a wakeup around 7 or after. You have to go by what you think your lo can do. Even though H has been waking every night, if I can get him back to sleep in 20 mins then I usually figure he's had a decent amount of sleep. If Caleb has been cranky since waking, you don't have a good night, and you don't feel right, do 2 naps tomorrow. It's ok.  H is almost 18 months and we've done only a handful of one nap days! And only once have we managed 2 in a row!!  He's been on the 20 min am nap since November!!! I'm not rushing it with him even though everyone has said to keep pushing. He's been teething nonstop since 9.5 months and only does one tooth at a time. We'll all make it there eventually. Unfortunately there is always some OT during the process but you don't want to push it too much and get too OT.  Make sense or did I totally talk in a circle?!  I'm sorry I don't have more answers. We're here for you ((((hugs)))))