Bedtime for 3 year old that doesn't nap.

[JulieNG]

Hello,
My son has pretty much dropped his nap. He will sleep about once per week in the car and that's about it. He was 3 in August. I have been putting him to bed at 8pm which I realize is too late. He does fall right asleep, but will wake at 6:45 (7 at the latest) and I don't think that is enough sleep. So the last few nights I moved it to 7:30 and he still falls right asleep. I did try 7pm a few months ago, but it took me till 8 to get him in bed which is why I moved it to 8pm (which is his sisters time). Any thoughts on this?

[momtonb&ab]

we aren't napping anymore and go to bed at 6:30-6:45pm with wake between 6:45 and 7:15am.   i would say if he isn't napping anymore you should be able to try a 7pm bedtime, maybe even 6:30..

how is his cheer in the day?  do you feel like he still needs more sleep?

[aidenmc]

We moved to a 7pm bedtime when ds2 dropped his nap. He actually slept much better during the night when we did. He still woke before 7 am. He still does best with bedtime at 7 or 7:30 at age 5.

[JulieNG]

Thank you all for the help!! Last night he was in bed at 7:40 (too late b/c we were out) and woke at 6:15. The night before that in bed at 7:30 and slept till 7:20. He is okay during the day. He doesn't getting whiny and cranky like my daughter did, but he bouces off the walls (don't know which is worse) in the late afternoon! I will keep pushing earlier to 7pm. Thanks!