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

[babybarr]

Hope she feels better soon and at least your getting some sleep

[aimeeL]

Well, the fever was gone today.. but a rash has crept up.  Am *hoping* it's just the end of this virus and we'll be back to normal tomorrow or the next day..

The fabulous sleep continues, however - with a 6:30-7:15 night!!  Did 2 naps today, but she did take much longer going down for the am CN than she has the last few days.. so am wondering what to do tomorrow.  Maybe I'll just try - and if she doesn't go for it, that'll be my answer?  Her stamina has just been soooo short/low lately.. I mean, 2 hr A times sometimes!  Crazy! 

[babybarr]

Sounds like a good plan. If she's taking longer to fall asleep it does sound like she's feeling a bit better.

[aimeeL]

Alas - our good run has ended.  10.5 hr night - 7:30 (4 hrs after 1.75 hr nap) - 6:15 a.m.  The question is... why??  Is it OT?  She got just a tad over 2 hrs total daysleep yesterday... not THAT much - but maybe UT from feeling better now?  In which case - do I just need to accept 10.5 hr nights??

Not sure if I should stay with my "just try for the CN" plan or go straight to 1 nap at 12:15...?

[katie80]

I'm sure it's too late for this, but I would probably be inclined to still try the CN and if it doesn't work, then you'll know.  She may do it since she had a shorter night then before.  You're in a tough spot with not really having the option to do an earlier one nap, so it's hard to know exactly what to do.  Sorry, I'm not much help.   

[aimeeL]

Thanks so much for replying, Katie - even if/when I get messages "too late", it's still nice and very helpful to know and hear from others!!  So far, you and I seem to be on the same page, though...because I ended up doing the CN.  She has been an absolute bear all morning - woke up on the wrong side, it seems.. and has just stayed that way.  I'm not sure if it's because she's not feeling well still or WHAT the deal is.. so anyways - did the CN and she went down very easily - 10:10-10:30 a.m.  Will do a pm nap at around 1:30 p.m. and I don't expect any trouble.  Knock on wood.     But I don't know - are we sure these 2 naps aren't going to perpetuate the EW/short nap?  I think the main problem is that I'm not positive as to what the 10.5 nights mean - OT or UT?  If it's OT, then I guess it makes sense to continue with 2 naps until I get a good solid night and late wakeup (and she's feeling well)... but if it's UT.. then...

I don't know - just rambling...

[*Becky*]

sometimes it is very hard to tell. I know here 10.5 nights can be either UT or OT or teeth so tricky but I can usually work it out from looking at the day. Could you post your last 2 days x

[aimeeL]

I'm going to post the last two days' routine, but the disclaimer here is that they are VERY unusual for her so may not even be worth a look...

Sun:
7 a.m. - wakeup (can't quite remember when bedtime was, but I think it was close to 7 - a 12 hr night)
10:10-10:50 - nap
1-2:15 p.m. - nap (prob UT; wouldn't have put her down so soon, but she was literally crawling up her crib, asking for nap!)
6:30 p.m. - bedtime

Mon:
7:15 a.m. - wakeup (12.75 hr night!)
10:25-10:45 a.m. - nap
1:45-3:40 p.m. - nap (I woke her..)
7:40 p.m. - bedtime

Tues:
6:15 a.m. - wakeup 
10:10-10:30 - nap
1:40-3:30 - nap (she woke at 1 hr 15 - usually OT for her - resettled and then woke herself up at 3:30)
7:20 p.m. - bedtime

Like I said - I'm sure the sickness is throwing a monkey wrench into the whole thing, so may not even be worth trying to analyze..    She was an absolute nightmare all day today - fussy, screaming, crying - soooo unlike her.  So I'm thinking still recovering from the illness and maybe still OT?  We'll see about tomorrow... am very hesitant to go back to 1 nap yet because I just don't think she has the stamina in the morning..

[babybarr]

TBH it sounds like she is still poorly, esp if she's cranky.  I would do the 2 naps still until she is better.

[*Becky*]

me too x

[aimeeL]

7:20-6:30 a.m. - wakeup (but with a 1.5 hr NW)

So I think you're right; I think I've *thought* she was totally better... and is obviously not.  And that in cutting her am nap at 20 min - I've made her OT??  That's the most obvious reason, I think, for the shorter nights and NW.  We'll see how she does this am, and I might give her 30 min?  Thanks for sticking with me.

[babybarr]

I've made her OT??

I would say this is just secondary to illness, I wouldn't worry if she's OT / UT, I think just let her have slightly longer naps and give her a couple of days to feel better.

[aimeeL]

Will continue to keep you posted, but not much to update today.  Let her nap 35 min in the am, then put her down a bit before 3 hrs A time.. and let her sleep 2 hrs.  Did a tad under 4 hrs to bedtime and I actually think that was still too long.  SHEESH!  If I get an NW, I guess I'll know...  She *does* seem to be even better today, though.. so I think things are starting to look up..

[aimeeL]

Even better today - so maybe 80-90% there?  Last night was 7:30-6:20 a.m.  Still did 30 min CN today, although took longer to fall asleep.. pm nap was only 1 hr 20 min - so I *think* that means she's almost done needing the CN? 

Not quite sure what to do tomorrow.. if I should do another day of 2 naps?? - or push for 1?  We'll see, I guess.. =)

[*Becky*]

see what wake up time you get and judge it from that x