9 months old 3 to 2 naps transition causing NW???

[Mi Lea]

Hi dear helpers,

My DD is now 9 months old and after sleeping a perfect 9PM-6:30AM night sleep started waiking after few hours of sleep and stays alert for more than 3 hours for the last 5 days. Usually between 11PM-2AM.

Our routine now:
7AM-BF
8AM-Breakfast
10AM-Sleep11:30-BF
12PM-Lunch
2PM-  Sleep3:30PM-BF
4PM-  Snack
7PM-BF
(Bath, every other day)
8PM-  Dinner8:30PM-Bed

She wakes up around 10PM and cries, the soother does the magic. After that she may do it another time and after that she starts to move around and fuss and then cry, I guess the reason is that she can't get back to sleep.

My questions:
Is that a normal transition period for the 3 to 2 naps?
Is it early for her to be on 2 naps? (Her waking period increased so that her last nap was too late and caused her to go to bed around 9:30PM)

And I noticed that her naps are short some days after being awake for hours during the night.

Thank you and sending you LOVE and appreciation.

[mmom]

Hi.   I think that 8 pm NW is OT.  It  looks like she is doing a 5 hour A, which is what LOs do who are on 1 nap.  I would shorten that last A to a 3.5 hour A.  Also, while your 1st A looks ok, your 2nd one is very short.  I would stretch that as well.  She should be able to do 3-3.5 hours on a decent nap.

Here are some sample routines for you. http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=164030.0

What do you think?

[Mi Lea]

Hi mmom,

I totaly agree with you suggestion. She gets sleepy around 2PM, is it possible to have " a habit" to go to sleep at that time? And in the afternoon, we tried few times to put her for a CP, she is too joyfull and has no sign of being sleepy, as before she was tired around 5:30~6PM. I will try to change things and see how it goes.

Thanks for your suggestion.

[mmom]

They can definitely show sleepy cues at old nap times.  My LO will even act like he is ready for a nap 1 hour after waking sometimes, which I know he isn't.

Since your LO is used to a shorter A, I would stretch that A out slowly - 10-15 minutes every couple of day, so she doesn't get OT.

[julieong]

Hi Kara

Just to interrupt, I've been searching this forum for solutions to my LO's night wakings.  She is 8 months old.  She does occasionally act like this - rub her eyes around 1-2 hours after waking and this morning, I sent her to sleep and she DID NOT sleep, after fussing for 1/2 hour.  In the end, she slept 4 hours after she woke up in the morning!!

When she shows sleepy cues, should I continue to keep her up?  Maybe I'm not doing a good job keeping her active?  Any suggestions on getting her to play independently?  I couldn't find this on the forum. 

[mmom]

Julie, 2 hours is a short A time for that age.  She may have other tired cues - eye rubbing normally isn't a reliable cue at this age.  My LO will pull at his ears when he is tired.   Have you noticed any other signs? 

Here are some ideas for A times for an 8 month old. http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=52865.0

If you want ideas on how to encourage independent play, I would post your question here. http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=2.0