20 mo wont nap

[~Kiki]

Having major nap issues at our house. I think it might be separation anxiety? As soon as she realizes I'm laying her down she goes nuts, not just normal crying, bloody curdling crying. Middle of the night is hit or miss. Last night was a good night, but my guess is we won't be as lucky tonight She has a laundry list of stuff going on, which I know could be related to it: been fighting back to back sinus infections, a recent ear infection, and now has a nasty diaper rash, along with her last eye tooth popping. So I know any of these things could be culprits, but just curious if a major separation anxiety thing or anything else around this age that causes major sleep issues?

[sianie]

It does sound like she has quite a lot going on, all of which even individually can mess up sleep. Canine (eye) teeth in particular can effect sleep

Have you been giving meds for any of the issues?

What does your routine look like?

[~Kiki]

She takes motrin and teething gel at bedtime, which helps then but not at nap. We are going on over a month with all the sinus infections and definitely longer with the eye teeth slowly breaking one at a time.

Here is a "typical" day

6am         Wake up
1:30/2pm  Nap (it has to be this late due to picking up sibling at preschool, most days she tries to catnap but I try to keep her awake)
6:30/7pm  Bedtime

[sianie]

Have you tried doing a dream feed of meds (1/2am)....these have really helped my LO's with teething.

It does sound like she's OT & if she's waking at 6am I would've suggested an early nap but I understand why that's not possible.

Have you tried doing an earlier BT when she doesn't nap (6pm)?

When she does nap, how long does she sleep for?

[~Kiki]

Dreamfeed of meds for teething doesn't work with this lo, it wakes her and then we're in all sorts of a mess. When she does nap it's 1.5-2hrs, then she normally sleeps better. I'm putting her down now, at 6:30. I'm sure we will be up tonight We have an ENT appt Wednesday, so hopefully he can tell us if the ear and sinus infection are gone. She is pulling her ear and freaking out at the sign of being put in her crib, so my guess is teeth are really a problem or we have another infection. I can try doing an early nap, but we have to leave at 12:30? If she's up early tomorrow, I might try it. Couldn't hurt at this point right What time would you recommend?

[~Kiki]

And we are up, and a ton earlier than her normal nighttime wake up

[sianie]

What time did she wake up?

From what you've described it definitely sounds like teeth or the ear infection hasn't yet cleared up (both teething & ear infections are much worse for LO's when they are lying down, hence the screaming etc).

TBH, until you have ruled these things out then I would just go with her sleepy cues & let her catch up on some sleep which she will need to do if she's not feeling 100%.

Have you tried using a syringe when you do the meds dream feed? These really help & very rarely wake my LO's.

[~Kiki]

She was up at 11. Normally she'll make it past 12:30. She wouldn't go back to sleep, I brought her into our room, where she screamed out in her sleep at least 6 times It not the giving the meds that wakes her, its simply opening her door

[sianie]

I would get her checked out tomorrow when you have your appointment. It does sound like she's unwell.

[~Kiki]

I'll let you know how the appt goes. Thanks again for your advice.

[~Kiki]

Well, nap happened at "normal" time. Hopefully me bringing up was enough to break the jinx I'll still update with ENT info we learn tomorrow! Thanks again!!!

[~Kiki]

Sinus and ear infection are finally gone! So it must be teething? Today's nap was a bust, so I retried hours later and we did a catnap. I figured it's worth a try since she sleeps better when she naps. Might as well try to get it whereever we can and see if it still works?

[sianie]

Could well be teeth.

I agree to try to get her caught up when you can & try & get back on track.

[~Kiki]

We'll getting a nap whenever would be great if I could get a nap Going downhill. I think I need to make a schedule and stick to it. I feel completely lost. Suggestions on a schedule considering the 12:30 - 1:30 block we have to be in the car?

[sianie]

What has your routine looked like the last few days?