1 nap or 2 today

[Lola's Mum]

Hi, would love some advice on whether to go for 1 nap or 2 today. Recently, DD has been on the short side of A times, what with teething and illness. Advice on another thread was to extend her first A time now as I was getting a short nap in the morning, where it had been consistently long. As I went to a toddler group today, it seemed like a good day to start. The day has looked like this:

6.45 WU
11.00: S (So 4:15 A time.)
Nap: 11 - 1.20 (so 2hr 20 mins sleep)

Yesterday her first A was nearly 3hr 25 and before that it was 3hrs, so not really the gradual extension that's recommended.

I thought she'd wake really rested and happy from her long nap but she's been really grumpy. Don't know if the long A was too long for her. Now not sure whether it's risky to push the second A to get to a decent BT. Or whether to do a CN, which she wouldn't take until at least 5.20, if not later. Would make BT very late, especially on a 6.45 wake up. If I went for 1 nap, what A time do you think would be 'safe'. She's susceptible to OT and when I was working on the transition to 1 nap a few months ago, it ended up with OT.

Would really appreciate any thoughts as I'm feeling pretty clueless. Thank you.

[Lola's Mum]

Just to add, her middle A time is normally about 4 hours after a long nap. And after a 30 min CN it was 2.5 hours but she's resisted until 3 hours or so for the last 2 nights.

Thanks again.

[kimmbba]

If it were me...I'd go for maybe a 6pm BT.  If you try another nap it might be too much day sleep, and a late BT so you might be up in the night either way.

[sianie]

Hey Sophie!

I agree with Kim, I'd go for an earlier BT, that's a good long nap & would think on the back of that you'd struggle to fit another one into the day.

Does she usually do well with an early BT (i.e. doesn't wake too early?).

It does sound like she could be ready to try the 1 nap again, what do you think?

[Lola's Mum]

Yeah, I think she's ready, especially as she's that bit older now. I've done early BT a few times and once or twice she woke a lot in the night. 1 time I think it was OT as I'd try to stretch the A before BT too much and another time it was UT as she'd not had enough A time in the day to wear her out. I am a bit worried that she'll wake at 6 am or before but know everybody says that they sleep longer on 1 nap, so I'll have to keep the faith!!

Do you think 6pm is about right then. That would be 4hr 40 min A time.

Thanks for your help.

[sianie]

I would say 6pm - 6.30pm at the latest.

[Buntybear]

FWIW when olly was still on 4.25 h a time I would be capping that 1st nap and APOP a 2nd. But then I was never very brave with the early BT!

[Lola's Mum]

Thanks Claire.Today I wanted to see how long she would sleep for so didn't cap it, although I did pace around the flat saying 'shall I, shan't I' several times as just couldn't decide what to do. Going for early BT tonight. If it's 6pm, that's only 45 mins short of a 12 hour day, which isn't too bad. Just hope she sleeps for more than 11 hours, as I really don't fancy 5am and not even 6am!!

[Buntybear]

OHHH it is so tempting to leave them to sleep isn't it! lol

[jackman]

Just wanted to send you good luck vibes, Sophie. Don't have much to add as others have given their advice. Agree with the 6pm BT.

[Lola's Mum]

grrr, it's been 5:15 and she wont go to sleep. Have put her down but she babbled, laughed, stood up, blew raspberries and nw lm letting her play on her bedroom floor. Im dreading her getting ot now and hope she'll go down soon. She's v lively so wondering if she's gone past tired, nt that she's looked it at all.

[bug_blues70]

Hi Sophie! i'd have done one nap too... I'm probably late on this, but I probably would have done a 535 BT. If you know she can handle 4 hrs, I'd have probably tried to push it 15, but that's with me and Ellen. I know Lola is very sensitive to OT. Good luck with it and I hope it works out!

[Lola's Mum]

She finally went at 7pm, which was a 5hr 40 min A time. I so worried about the night now. I don't know if I did something wrong. I didn't take her out of the bath in time for a 6pm BT as she was soooo lively. She showed absolutely no tired signs, not that she shows many but I can generally tell she's starting to get tired in the evening. So, did I leave her too late to WD in the bedroom or can she just do an exceptionally long A time after a 2hr 20 min nap. I guess what happens over night and what time she wakes up might give me a bit of a clue. Please, everyone, cross your fingers. I don't think I can deal with loads of OT NWs. I'm sleeping in her room as DP is ill and it means he can be ill in bed on his own, so I won't have far to go at least!

[Buntybear]

Fingers are crossed for you!

[sianie]

I agree Sophie that how she is tonight will give you some insight!

She could have been OT & her playing around at BT could have been her getting a second wind. OR it could have been UT after the long nap.

Hoping you have a good night....give us an update in the AM!