Going with set nap/bedtimes for 18 mo old - what are my expectations?

[*Becky*]

hope it went ok...

[aimeeL]

All right, ladies - here's the update.. put L down at 1:25 p.m. and she was out in minutes.  Just woke on the dot at 3 p.m.  So I think I'll shoot for a 7-7:15 p.m. bedtime.  Cross your fingers for a good wakeup.

She's been a real mess today - cranky all morning before and after her nap.. very unlike her..

[*Becky*]

how was the night?

[aimeeL]

Soooo....L had a fever yesterday afternoon..   Woke from her nap a bit warm, and then seemed to grow warmer in the evening.  She didn't do much all evening except lay on my or cry.  Sigh.  So, unfortunately, not sure how "relevant" any sleep training/tweaking might be at this point.

HOWEVER - she went from 7-6:30 a.m.!!!  Am THRILLED, even though it might just be the fever....but maybe, just maybe, it was also from the catching up with 2 naps?  She cried out at 5 a.m., and I thought we were doomed, but never opened her eyes and just tossed and turned - still asleep, just restless.  Cried out once more at 5:40 a.m.. same thing.. And then from about 6-6:30 seemed to be in a much deeper sleep. 

Any thoughts for today?  I'll see if she's still warm when I get her up in here in a second.. but would you do 2 naps again?  On one hand, I hate to take steps backwards if we do just one nap and it ends up being short.. but on the other hand, I'm still really scared of reinforcing EWs with 2 naps.  Not that this am was an EW, but ykwim?  A bit nervous that her restless sleep seems to be at 5 now instead of 6!

Anyways - thoughts?

[katie80]

Aimee,
I would probably go for the one nap today since it was such a good night.  Getting in 2 naps with a 6:30 wake-up would be tough, I think.  However, if she really is not feeling well, you may just have to follow her cues and get her the sleep she may need. 

[aimeeL]

She was up for several minutes at 6:30, but seems to have fallen back asleep now!  Light and restless - but still!

Yup - that's what I was thinking as far as naps.. I think I'll shoot for one but see how she is this morning.. If I do one nap - do you think I should aim a bit earlier? - like 11:45-noon?  Or just stay with my 12:15?  Assuming she's feeling well, that is..

[katie80]

Depends on when she wakes, I guess?  I'd go for the most consistent time you've had, 12:15 probably.  But, again, if she's not feeling well and doesn't seem like she'll make it, I'd hesitate to push her today.

[aimeeL]

Perfect - thanks so much! 

[aimeeL]

So L ended up waking at 7:45 a.m.!  I brought her to snuggle in bed with me and if our dog hadn't been scratching at her kennel, I thnk she would've fallen back asleep. 

Was really going to go with one nap - albeit an "early" one since she woke so late - but she and DH are cuddled on the couch napping as I type.  UNHEARD of for her to drop off like that, so I'm just going to let her.. don't know what to do, though, from here... let her sleep?  Wake her after 30 min?  Hmmm...

[katie80]

I'm sure you've already made your decision, but it sounds like she might just need to sleep when possible today.  Poor girl, she must not feel very well.     Hope she feels better soon!

[*Becky*]

def go with her cues if she is poorly. Hugs xxx

[aimeeL]

So she fell asleep at 9:45 (TWO HRS after wakeup!!), woke at 10:30, then quickly back to sleep on my chest until about 11:10.    So I think as long as we get an hr or so this pm somehow, we'll manage to make it to bedtime.. and then we'll see. 

[momtonb&ab]

how are you doing today?  how is lo feeling?

[aimeeL]

Aww - thanks for asking.. it's been a fairly miserable last two days.  She's had a fever of 103+; took her into the dr's today and doesn't seem like there's any infection - ear, uti, or otherwise - so he just said prob a mild viral illness.  Grr.  She is just SO hot and miserable..

The good news  is that her sleep has been fabulous... two naps yesterday, another 12 hrs last night and already a short CN this am.

Sigh. 

[katie80]

Oh, poor little thing.  Hope she feels better soon!  Those really high fevers are the worst (and sometimes a little scary, I think), but that's what helps their little bodies fight off those yucky bugs.  Sending hugs!