What to do, what to do?

[Grants]

Hi Laura, I have just seen your post, just stopping by to offer you some (((hugs))). I'm sorry to hear O is still having trouble sleeping :-( hope things get better soon. X

[babybarr]

I guess the no soy thing stopped helping?

I guess so too... I could try cutting out the dairy again but I feel like that is a step backwards yk? The adding in some dairy made no difference either way but perhaps I should try?

Yesterday we didn't do nap either (not even 10mins in the car as we had lots to do at home) he was ou by 6.30pm but woke around 11.45pm for an hour or so and then was awake at 6am (maybe even earlier).  I didn't know what to do today so I told my mum to do 45mins nap. Part of me feels like I need to try the no nap for a good period of time but the other part is worried about OT.  The thing is he doesn't refuse a nap just I always feel that it's catch up for the night before.  I tried asking him why he was awake but he just wasn't "getting it".  He was at least quiet when I went in to him and told him his sunshine wasn't on and he wasn't supposed to be singing.

I just don't know what to do... plus to be fair it cold be his molars still cutting or his hip.  Maybe when his molars are fully through he'll start sleeping what do you reckon?

[*Liz*]

I think you need to do no nap for a week or so and see what happens really. Like Vicki said you will need to ride through some OT. That is normal and always happens. Remember the 2 to 1??

[babybarr]

Maybe you are right Liz - although I've just told mum to do 45mins today... maybe I'll start tomorrow!

[babybarr]

So we did no nap yesterday and he was awful last night... I'm literally at my wits end with this now.  I *need* him to start STTN as I can't function much longer like this.

Liz / Vicki do you think if i just push through this and really try and stick to no (or very short car ride nap) that it may work itself out after a week or 2?

[Mom to M&M]

Hugs Laura - really hoping O (and YOU) can starting getting more sleep soon. If it were me I'd probably stick to a short car nap (20 minutes?) for at least a week and see how it goes?

[my3girlsjde]

BIG HUGS Laura I would try pushing through. If it doesn't work within a couple of weeks, then I'd add the nap.

It took about 3 weeks (mind you there are 2 of them), granted we were travelling and out and about so they often had a catnap in the van. And sometimes that catnap seems to throw a wrench into things. After 3 weeks, it was sooooo much better. Very similar to the 2-1. There's days where they really could use the nap come early afternoon, but I just get them to bed earlier (7 vs 730). If they do catnap, they go down at 8 to save my sanity.

The first couple of weeks really are the roughest because you have no time to recoup and they are OT for days on end. Then all of a suddeen it got better. It's now 5 weeks and they cruise through the day with no nap unless they're in the van and happily go to bed at 7-730, which they haven't done in over a year. They do get some quiet time but that's on the couch watching a quiet tv program. Sometimes they doze off, but if I put them in their beds they sleep so soundly and once we couldn't even rouse D for over an hour.

I have a couple of friends who did it with no issues within a week but their children are more of the textbook/angel kind. I really think that temperment plays a part in this. More active toddlers I'm going to guess are going to have a bigger challenge with the transition. Or perhaps it's us Mummies of active toddlers who seem to get even less of a break

Big HUGS again

[koe2moe]

Hey Laura, I only read through most of the replies.  But from the days you posted, it seems to me that if the total A time for the day is 11h45-12h15, then no NW.  Anything more or less, you can various kinds of NW(s).  Do you think it's worth trying to keep close to 12h with or without nap for 1 week and reevaluate afterwards?

[babybarr]

Vicki - how old were your 2 when you did this?  They're about 3mths older than my DS.  The biggest hurdle I have I think is my mother She has him 4 days a week and always voices her opinion (and not in a good way) if I say no nap and he's tired.  It's hard.  Also he's not *that* active - despite wanting to be active we have to limit his activity atm due to a health problem.

Lily - that's a very interesting point you make and not one I'd looked at at all.  I have been contemplating changing up everything and perhaps doing dinner with DH and O when he gets in and just putting O to bed much later BUT as it is I barely get any evening time as I often have to work and I go to bed early... so I just don't know

I'm off tomorrow so could do 3 days of no nap (other than car catnap) and reevaluate on Sun - just last weekend we did 2 days and on the sun night he was awful.  Oh why does this have to be so difficult?!

[my3girlsjde]

Laura, I started this 5 weeks ago so 33 months-ish. It was certainly rough, and that's without having someone else care for them and have opinions about it. Could you suggest a cuddle/nap on the couch with her instead of him going into a bed? That may be enough for her as well as him for everyone to get their batterires recharged kwim?

[Grace's Mummy]

Just popping on to say I'm thinking of you and I know this is tough. Months and months of sleep deprivation certainly takes its toll.

I hope you and your LO get some more sleep soon.

[babybarr]

Yesterday went something like this...
Wake 6.20am (ish) after shocking night
Nap 11.30-12.20pm or thereabouts
Asleep 7.05pm
So that's about the right sort of A time we should be aiming for... he was awake around 1am I think - but he may just have been talking in his sleep, I then heard him again at 4.20am (same as previous night) when he was singing "when santa got stuck up the chimney" over and over again (although he was actually singing it really rather well!)  I went in and told him no more singing it was night time and why wasn't he asleep - he told me his head hurt who knows with him   He was still awake by 6.15am.

Even though he looks tired today I've got someone coming to look at our fire right on nap time so will just have to see what happens.  Give me strength!

[sianie]

Laura, if it makes you feel even a little bit better (ok, probably not!  ), the last couple of nights with M have not been too disimilar with the whole singing/chatting carry on in the middle of the night.

Are you thinking UT/OT loop as I think that's where I'm at (not that I have any solutions 'tho!) .....hoping you have a better day!!

[koe2moe]

sending strength!!!  in double dose!!  I think it's now definitely OT.  See how the nap goes.  hugs

[my3girlsjde]

I agree - sounds like OT

Big HUGS going your way.