13 mo old - 10.5 hour nights - why?

[Mjaz]

Thanks ladies.  Yeah, we tries short am/long pm for about a week and then I threw in the towel b/c I could never get the second A right.  I mean, NEVER.  So we were getting two short naps and then lots of NWs :/  So luckily, he's back to his solid nights of 11+, but the naps are still a mystery. 

You're right Wendy, I am always afraid of OT with him b/c he becomes so OT so quickly, it's the worst.  I could try 4.5 hours for a couple days if you think it might be UT.  Does it make sense that he'd have a super-sleep phase at 2.5-3 hours? 

Karen, the long am/short pm had been working really well for us, for about a month, but then the A times he was normally doing all of a sudden stopped working....We were doing:

wake: 6
nap 1: 1:30-2hours (A=3:45-3:50)
nap 2: 30min (A=3:30)
sleep:7

Am about to put him down for nap #2 at 1:30ish, which will be an A time of 3:15.  Doesn't seem the least bit tired :/  Ay.  Have I mentioned this kid may be any only child?  Ha ha.

Thanks, ladies!
Melinda

[Mjaz]

Update:  A time ending up being 3:30, as he fought the nap for 40 minutes...

[Mom to M&M]

I'm thinking he might be ready for substantially more A time based on all this? Some kids just get a ridiculous jump sometimes. Tomorrow I'd be tempted to try 4.25-4.5 hours A before his nap and see what that gets you? If he seems tired earlier maybe take him for a walk outside (weather permitting) - that always seems to buy us 15-30 extra minutes...

[Tweakster]

That kind of fighting at this age just seems really UT to me.  Sorry Melinda :-(  What activities is he doing in the morning?  Is he walking or cruising yet?

[Mjaz]

Maybe!  I did 4 hours a couple weeks ago and got a 2 hour nap, did 4 hours the other day and got a 1hr nap.  Maybe he is jumping up there - I don't know!  I think I will try 4:15 or 4:30 tomorrow am.  Thanks.

OK, Wendy - I will jump on the UT bandwagon and see if I can sort this out.  We usually spend the first A at home - playing, sometimes running errands, and we take a walk every day.  He is cruising and walking about 10 feet at at time ALL THE TIME.  Don't be sorry, Wendy, you're helping me!  I just wish his "I'm OT" or "I'm UT" signs were a tad bit clearer!

Thanks,
Melinda

[Mom to M&M]

I'm with Wendy... And I'd try to make it a super active morning - maybe let him cruise around at the library or book store or somewhere like that (or the park or your yard if nice out) to further tire him for a good nap!

[Tweakster]

I just wish his "I'm OT" or "I'm UT" signs were a tad bit clearer!

Well Finn is 18 mths and I still haven't worked it all out :-)  Some kids are just these rare little birds who like to keep you guessing, keep you on your toes, make you work for a living lol

[Mjaz]

35 minutes!  Aye!  4 hours to his normal 6:30 BT - OK or what do I do??? 

[Tweakster]

How have his nights been on this roller coaster ride?  I would do a 6 p.m. bedtime probably.  Really he's had 75 mins sleep in total, it's not the worst - it could be better but it's what you got.  If he'll tack on to his nights or give a solid night then I'd just shorten the A to bedtime by 1/2 hr or so. 

[Mom to M&M]

ITA with Wendy. And tomorrow is another day!

[Mjaz]

Knock on wood, his nights have been good.  Will try the long A tomorrow morning and let you know how we get on.  PLEASE let this be UT!

[Mjaz]

I think I may be more puzzled than ever.  Did 4:15 A this morning, he fell asleep immediately, woke 58 min later :/  Could not get him back.  Still UT?  How could he have made such a huge leap all of a sudden!?  I just hope I'm not pushing him into a big, deep OT hole...

M.

[Mom to M&M]

So how much sleep is he getting at night? How is his mood after the AM nap?

[Tweakster]

The only way to know for sure is to push him out.  He's so elusive with his signals that you can't know otherwise.  He'll stay OT anyway with all these short naps and UT/OT loop so it can't hurt right??  And if you get that long solid nap then it will be worth it :-)  If you push him to 4.5 hrs and he doesn't nap long then back off and go back to the 2 naps at lesser A times until you feel ready to attempt another push.

I know it's scary but I think you have to give it a try to know for sure.  No one can tell you if he's had a leap or not.  It may have been teeth holding him back or he's just had a cognitive leap that means he needs more stimulation, more input for longer times in the day.  

But that said, 58 mins & falling asleep right away is better than 40 mins so you are making progress today!

How was the night after yesterday?

[Mjaz]

Last night was 11 hours on the dot.  Not terrible, but a low, low day of 12:15 total sleep (for him, that is)...Just 2 weeks ago he was averaging 13.5-14.

Second A was 4:16, went right to sleep, woke SCREAMING at the 33min mark.  I held him and he slept for another 20 min, which seems odd to me as well.

I know what you mean - I'll push to 4.5 tomorrow and see.  Wendy, he is SO elusive.  For that second A, he was happily playing in his room and I had to sort of just say "well, let's try 4:15" and put him in his crib.  And then he was definitely OT. 

He seems fine now :/

This kid!