Just me... again...

[MummyToBen]

It might be worth a shot?  I think it's just trying to get as much sleep in him as possible - stretching things out doesn't seem like it's working for him at the moment, so perhaps going the opposite way and getting him down for naps and bedtimes really early might?  We had some shorter nights when we were staying at the IL's last week (super hot in Ben's bedroom/molars/more noise etc), so we put him bed 3.75hrs after he woke up, and he'd be asleep by 4hrs.  He would sleep 45+ mins in the morning and then 1.5-2 hours in the afternoon  .  But when we put him down at his usual naptime he would only sleep 1hr15 mins, as we'd obviously stretched him out further than he could handle at the time.  The nights after he's had more daytime sleep he slept much better.  So, sometimes getting them down waaaayy early might be the trick  !

xxx

[babybarr]

Not sure he'd do the 2 naps though

Lan - yes that is the risk... that he'd only sleep 40mins   I'm not sure I wanna spend days trying to apop another nap!!

Today he's currently still asleep at 1hr 40mins...  He is clearly shattered, the thing is the long naps seem to mess up bedtime which ends up being late and then still all the NWs etc.

I guess we could try 10.30am and see what happens?

[MummyToBen]

the thing is the long naps seem to mess up bedtime which ends up being late and then still all the NWs etc.

I would have thought it was the lack of sleep the nights before, and cumulative OT, that was causing the bedtime issues though, rather than the slightly longer nap? 

Not sure he'd do the 2 naps though

We were in shock when Ben did - but he was so tired and I think the key was *not* stretching out any A times but cutting them right back temporarily.  We APOPed some of them (covered up his carseat and went out for a drive).  Of course, this might not work for O, but if you've for months and months tried stretching him out perhaps it might be worth a week of of cutting everything back down to see if that works?  Just a thought 

xx

xxxxx

[MLK]

Yes I guess try something not too diffferent from what he's doing at frist, see if it makes things better or worse. What time did you do today?

[Tweakster]

That's a good idea Lan has. If his nights are that bad he really needs to catch up on some sleep.

Laura is he showing signs of illness?

[babybarr]

Lan - today nap was 11.30am (I'd already put him down when you posted) he napped 1hr 50mins!!!!  He has NEVER napped like that.  He clearly is exhausted!

I'm scared to do 2 naps due to all the nap refusal we had during the 2-1, but should I do like 30mins at say 10.30am and then what

Wendy - He's not showing typical illness symptoms BUT I am not convinced something else isn't amiss.  He doesn't have any temp which is obviously what we have to go on.

ON second thoughts...

I wonder if I should let him nap as long as he wants in the am and hope he'll do a catnap in the car or something later?  Not sure which would be easier to manage or better in the long run WWYD?

[MummyToBen]

I'm scared to do 2 naps due to all the nap refusal we had during the 2-1, but should I do like 30mins at say 10.30am and then what

I suppose anything you try is a bit 'risky' at the mo  .  Would you feel more comfortable giving him a very early nap and then leaving him to sleep as long as he wants to and then seeing where you are from there  ?  That way you would know whether it's APOPing a catnap/giving him a proper nap or just an early bedtime? 

xxx

[Tweakster]

Would you feel more comfortable giving him a very early nap and then leaving him to sleep as long as he wants to and then seeing where you are from there

I think this is the best plan.  As Lan mentioned, when you are wrecked from being up at night or just so tired in the morning, it's nice to go back to bed and continue that night sleep.  I would do it if he'll let you.  And then take the day from there.  Maybe it's going to be the only nap or maybe he can do a short CN later in the day.  If he's doing a nice long nap early it may be ok for him until the earlier bedtime.

[katie80]

Not sure which would be easier to manage or better in the long run WWYD?

I don't want to muddy the waters, because it sounds like the plan above really makes sense.  But , I just wanted to let you know, that even at 22 mo, when my DD has a short night due to teething NWs or an EW, she will still do the am CN and a longer nap in the afternoon.  And similar to you, I was scared to do it because of the same refusals during the 2-1, but one day it happened by 'accident' and seemed to help her tremendously.  Now whenever she has a rough night, I have confidence in going back to those 2 naps.  The first one is always 20 min in the car as we go out to do errands, but the second is in her crib.

So . . . I agree with Lan, Claire, and Wendy:  if you are nervous about the 2 naps, go for that longer morning nap and see where it takes you. However, if you feel like it's not as easy to manage in the long run, you might give the other way a try as well.  Just my two cents!

[babybarr]

Thank you all, and thank you for being so patient, kind and understanding

So he was asleep by 7pm or thereabouts.  In bed by 6.40pm so I thought that was pretty good going and a little surprising.

The first one is always 20 min in the car as we go out to do errands, but the second is in her crib.

The thing is DS hasn't fallen asleep in the car early in the morning for such a long time - even for trips to the ILs an hour away.  He probably would if it was 10.30am though

So I think I'm going to try the long am nap and see what happens.  I guess I've got nothing to lose right?

[katie80]

So I think I'm going to try the long am nap and see what happens.  I guess I've got nothing to lose right?

I think that's the way to go, then!  I'm hoping for the best over here!!

[MLK]

How was last night?
Maybe try nap at 11am for a few days first to see what happens?

[babybarr]

Well... I didn't hear him till 7am this morning 

Now I would like to say that meant he STTN but it doesn't, it just means I STTN!!  It is good though that even if he had been awake that he used the fact we didn't have an alarm set and slept in a bit.  He's actually in a really good mood this morning and seems less tired which would suggest he slept better too.

So now I'm stuck!!  I was thinking I may just stick to his normal nap time of 11.30am as he woke later I don't wanna go too early cos he'll probably short nap, but I'm doubting myself and wondering should I actually go for nearer 12?

What do you think?

[MLK]

Well if he slept 12 hours straight I'd be tempted to go nearer 12...

[babybarr]

The thing is I never know if he has actually STTN.  Well anyway it's too late now!  I put him down just after 11.30am and he fell asleep around 11.50am.  He's normally asleep within about 2mins when we put him down for a nap so I need lots of sleepy vibes that he doesn't short nap!  He may have settled sooner but had got in a tangle with his sheet so I quickly popped in to sort that he was really sweaty too and it's not even hot.

The excessive sweating is something I've mentioned to the drs before who again are not interested